Research has shown that autistic adults have poorer quality-of-life outcomes than their neurotypical peers, including lower employment rates and educational achievements. A key way to improve outcomes for this growing population is to implement research-informed transition planning, which addresses core impairments in skills needed for autonomous and independent living, including self-knowledge, self-determination, and self-regulation. In…
The Benefits of a Professional Network A professional relationship involves two or more people collaborating to achieve and support a common cause, mission, goal, company, or organization. It is often more formal than those outside the workplace. Some examples include connecting with one’s direct supervisor, co-workers, clients, and mentors. Building these valuable relationships is known…
“Are you sure he has autism?” The one sentence I am sure every parent to a child with Level-1 Autism is sick of hearing. From the dentist to his speech therapy evaluation, my son has been observed and his diagnosis has been questioned. In those times, it makes me want to ask, “Would you like…
“Love on the Spectrum U.S.” won two Emmys at the 76th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards in September. Northern Pictures, the Australian company that produces both the Australian and U.S. shows, won for outstanding casting for a reality program and another for outstanding director for a reality program. Three cast members of the U.S. show’s…
OAR is excited to welcome the newest Hire Autism navigators, Kurt Campanile, Kuljit Singh, Jacqueline Olsen, Jennifer Yamout, and Biljana Simakoska. They are all from the New Jersey office of Clyde & Co., a global law firm committed to pro bono and social impact volunteering opportunities. As navigators, these dedicated individuals will support autistic job…
RUN FOR AUTISM runner Joseph Carrasquillo completed a personal challenge in September, running a 100-mile race to raise awareness of autism on behalf of his son, Jacob, who was diagnosed with autism nine years ago. “Jacob had a wonderful neuropsychologist at the time who brought it to our attention that he had tremendous potential but…
OAR recently awarded $78,918 to support 17 projects led by the fall 2024 winners of the Peer Education Grant program. In total, OAR has awarded $107,497 for 27 projects in 2024. With these grants, OAR has helped educate over 237,000 children through the Kit for Kids program since 2012. Launched in 2012, the program supports projects that promote…
OAR has released a new collection of books about autism for kids and teens on the OverDrive Libby app, thanks to generous funding provided by Jewelers for Children. It is OAR’s goal to help autistic children process their autism identity and help non-autistic children, including siblings, understand and embrace autistic differences through evocative storytelling and…
If you are an autistic job seeker, parent, employer, or community member, OAR’s Hire Autism Resource Center contains a plethora of resources to assist with job searching, interviews, creating an autism-friendly workplace, and more. These are some of the guides you will find in the Resource Center: A Guide to Job Searching answers questions like…
I was diagnosed simultaneously with autism spectrum disorder and ADHD in April 2022 at the age of 23. Several years later, I was diagnosed with other mental disabilities. Throughout my adult life, I have been looking for resources and support from others to show me how to go about being an autistic woman with mental…
