Arlington, VA, April 3, 2025 –The Organization for Autism Research (OAR) is excited to announce the winners of the Spring 2026 Peer Education Grant Competition. During this cycle, OAR awarded $34,449 to seven programs that support autism education for nearly 15,000 students in grades K-8. Since 2012, OAR has helped educate more than 290,000 students…
Recently, the intersection of autism and poetry has been in the spotlight. Last year, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated that those with autism will “never write a poem.” As an autistic poet, I disagree! Not only can autistic people create great poetry, I believe poetry comes naturally to us. According to Britannica, “Poetry…
As both an educator and a writer—and as the parent of an autistic child—I have learned that one of the most powerful tools a parent can bring to an IEP or therapy meeting is not just data, test scores, or reports, but a clear, cohesive developmental narrative. Too often, parents walk into these meetings carrying…
A Swedish study recently published in BMJ suggests that autism may not be more prevalent in boys than girls. Researchers analyzed autism diagnoses in children born in Sweden between 1985 and 2020. By the end of the study in 2022, the male-to-female ratio was 1.2 and researchers projected that it would be equal at age 20 by 2024. Historically,…
OAR welcomed 12 talented volunteers to navigator training in the new year. Hire Autism navigators prepare job seekers for their job search and hone interview skills, instilling confidence and readiness. Please congratulate Reyna Ahuja, Ebony Beckford, Mateo Ewell, Lesley Hausmann, Maria Latorre, Rachel LeBar, Adwoa Levin, Noelle Lewis, Coreece Lopez, Chelsea Maldonado, Valbona Olfat, and Quinn Oteman. These volunteers bring a range of experience and expertise, with…
Health and wellness directly impact one’s quality of life, and autistic people deserve access to healthcare that effectively supports their needs now and in the future. Developed by autism community members, these free resources promote best practices and practical solutions to support autistic people’s health and quality of life. They include helpful information for self-advocates, their parents, and the healthcare professionals who support…
A client once told me she avoids telling doctors she’s autistic. “What’s the point?” she said. “Once I mention it, I turn into either a fascination or a fraud.” Her words stayed with me. Many autistic adults describe the same pattern: when they share their diagnosis, the energy in the room shifts. Some providers become overly curious, turning the…
In October 2025, OAR’s Board of Directors authorized funding for eight applied autism research grants. These new research grants, totaling $397,372, bring OAR’s total research funding to $5.8 million since 2002. This article is the third of the previews in The OARacle this year. The autism community uses quality of life as a measure of autistic adults’ satisfaction with their lives. Yet…
Interest in nutrition and fitness for people with autism has never been higher. Families, educators, and support professionals overwhelmingly agree that healthy eating, movement, and aging well matter for one’s quality of life. Yet when it comes time to join a program, attend a class, or change routines at home, participation often drops. This gap…
