OAR’s Hire Autism program has recently partnered with three organizations to improve employment opportunities for autistic adults and support them as they search for jobs. Getting Hired is a job board dedicated to providing employment opportunities to job seekers with disabilities and other diversities. This job board is for both remote and in-person roles across…
It is summertime, and pools, beaches, lakes, and ponds are wonderful places to enjoy recreation. For autistic children, though, places near water can be dangerous because they have a tendency to wander. A 2018 study that surveyed parents reported that 40% of them said that their child had wandered or attempted to wander at least…
OAR awarded nine grants totaling $16,312.97 in the 2023 Graduate Research Competition. These newly funded grants are a part of the more than $322,067 awarded to fund more than 180 graduate research studies since 2003. The program offers up to $1,000 to master’s students and $2,000 to doctoral candidates or post-doctoral students to conduct autism-focused…
OAR’s RUN FOR AUTISM offers a DIY – Athletic Events program that allows you to participate in any run, walk, triathlon, or other athletic event and dedicate your activity to fundraising for OAR. Simply sign up for the event you choose and start asking family, friends, and others to sponsor you as raise funds for…
It’s 5:45 in the morning, and her feet patter into the room. She gets into the bed, rests her head next to mine on the pillow, and yells “Ruff” right in my ear. “Ruff, wake up, Daddy, Ruff.” Yep, dogs are still one of her favorite animals. I turn and say, “Ruff, good morning, Kenz.…
For most parents, the autism diagnosis can be challenging, especially when it comes to understanding the details and complexities of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). They are expected to educate themselves on medical details, the range of treatment options, and new approaches to interacting with their child. Understanding a complex disorder such as autism often requires…
Our family is big on making and celebrating moments. It’s one of those weird things when you’re growing up, and you hear people constantly taking a beat to encourage you to soak in what’s taking place. It usually means a lot of crying. Usually points to plenty of reflecting. Some morbid talk about funerals sneaks…
The lights are too bright. The smell of the carpet is too strong. The white noise machine has the opposite effect. The particulars of a workplace environment can stress an autistic individual from a sensory perspective. It’s likely you’ve already been told that, and maybe you’ve even taken steps to reduce those impacts, or you…
During the summer months, children will spend a lot of their free time outside. So, it’s important to have a plan in place to prevent wandering and elopement of children on the spectrum. OAR’s Life Journey Through Autism: A Guide to Safety has useful tips on how to explain autism and your child’s tendency to…
As an autistic person who has friendships with both autistic and non-autistic folks, I can say that building successful friendships across the neurodiversity spectrum requires mutual respect, understanding, and a willingness to embrace differences. For me, friendships with other autistic people often come naturally. We share similar experiences and challenges, and we can relate to…
