As a 2006 study pointed out, every single ethnic group includes people with disabilities, making them the world’s largest multicultural minority. In the United States, people with disabilities represent 27% of the population. During the 2021-2022 academic year, 7.3 million learners between the ages of 3 and 21 received special education services under provisions of…
Winter is here – and for autistic people with sensory sensitivities, that may mean increased challenges related to touch, smell, light and sound. Many cherished winter traditions seem tailor-made to aggravate sensory sensitivities: bundling up to go outside, putting up light displays and ringing bells, to name just a few. Below are tips and information…
One of the first phrases to come to mind when talking about special education is the Individualized Education Program, whose abbreviation, IEP, instantly becomes one of those acronyms you will remember for life. Mention IEPs to parents and teachers alike, and their reaction tells the story. The term conjures up unpleasant memories and is frequently…
Starting college can be a huge transition. For many incoming freshmen, it includes moving into a dorm room, learning new college lingo, navigating a campus, attending large classes, and staying on top of homework. Incoming freshmen might also want to join a campus club, attend a tutoring session, or visit a professor during their office…
PBS Kids is bringing its first autistic lead character to tv screens this coming fall in a series named for the that character, “Carl the Collector.” In the PBS Kids press release, Carl is described as “a warm-hearted autistic raccoon who loves collecting things. His talents – a laser-focus pursuit of his goals, attention to…
Starting a new year is the perfect time to move forward with new beginnings and challenges. Whether your resolutions consist of eating more fruits and vegetables, running your first marathon, or surpassing your fundraising goal, RUN FOR AUTISM is here to support you in every way. Looking for a spring race? Or maybe a race with warmer…
OAR is excited to announce that applications are open for the Synchrony Tech Scholarship. Unlike OAR’s other scholarships, which support autistic students pursuing two- and four-year degree programs, the Synchrony Tech Scholarship supports autistic adults interested in pursuing or advancing their careers in IT-related or technical fields by obtaining a technology-related certification. Scholarship award amounts…
OAR set a goal of distributing 15,000 print and digital copies of our information resources through our Higher Education on the Spectrum campaign in the fall of 2023. We surpassed this goal by distributing a total of 17,062 resources to autistic college students, parents, and university professors and staff. These resources cover topics such as…
OAR’s Board of Directors awarded eight new research grants for the 2023 Applied Research Competition. These new grants, which total $297,569, bring OAR’s all-time total research funding to more than $5 million since 2002. OAR received 138 letters of interest and invited 54 applicants to submit full proposals. From the full proposal submissions, OAR’s reviewers…
OAR’s Kit for Kids peer education program teaches elementary and middle school students about their autistic peers. The Kit’s main component is an illustrated booklet entitled “What’s Up with Nick?” This colorful, kid-friendly booklet tells the story of an autistic student named Nick, as seen through the eyes of a neurotypical peer. The story teaches…
