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The OARacle Newsletter

Congratulations to the 2022 Applied Research Grantees

OAR is delighted to announce seven new research grants from the 2022 Applied Research Competition. These new grants, which total $276,212, brings OAR’s all-time total research funding to more than $4.74 million since 2002. The competition opened last December. OAR received 123 pre-proposals and subsequently invited 45 applicants to submit full proposals. From the full…

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British Journalist Writes First Autism-friendly Cookbook

Just in time for holiday gift giving, there’s a new book for autistic people that is practical and just right for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. With loads of good advice and 100 recipes, the Autism-Friendly Cookbook has been described as the “first cookbook for autistic people.” British journalist Lydia Wilkins, who is autistic, noted in…

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Advance Your Job Search with Hire Autism

Since the beginning of January 2022, 73 companies have joined the Hire Autism employer partner network, for a total of 262 autism-friendly employer partners and counting. As the number of employer partners continues to grow, so does the number of job seekers supported through the Hire Autism program. Take a look at Hire Autism’s 2022…

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2023 OAR Scholarship Applications Open

The application period for the 2023 OAR Scholarship Program opened on Monday, December 5, 2022, and remain open until Monday, April 24, 2023. Applicants may apply to only one of OAR’s scholarship programs, which include the Schwallie Family Scholarship, the Lisa Higgins Hussman Scholarship, and the Synchrony Scholarship for Autistic Students of Color. Each program…

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2023 Applied Research Competition Now Open

OAR invites researchers to submit a letter of intent for the 2023 Applied Research Competition. The maximum award is $40,000 for pilot studies beginning in 2024 with a duration of one to two years. International researchers are eligible to apply. Letters of intent will be accepted through Monday, March 20, 2023 at 11:59 PM ET.…

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Targeting Anxiety Treatment for Young Autistic Children

Recent data suggests that 40% of autistic children under the age of 7 have an anxiety disorder. Anxiety can exacerbate autism symptoms, such as worsening sensory over-reactivity and difficulty tolerating change, and contribute to social withdrawal and avoidance. Further, anxiety in young children is associated with a 3.5 times higher risk of anxiety and depression…

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Making the Transition to Adulthood

“Where do I see my adult child after they leave school?” This may seem like a daunting question, explains Courtney Gebura, transition coordinator at the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Center for Autism, but it is one parents of autistic children must ask themselves. Gebura adds, “It’s important for parents to think about how and to what…

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Stimming on Stage: My Experience as an Autistic Entertainer

Being an entertainer on the spectrum is nuts, y’all. When I was a kid, I was practically addicted to spinning. I’d spin and pace in circles just about everywhere – at home, the churchyard at Sunday School, and the playground at recess to the chagrin of many teasing classmates. A couple of decades later, I’d…

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Workplace-Specific Social Skills for Autistic Individuals

Although social skills may not be necessary for your young adult to perform the actual job, they may be needed to help them keep the job or be more socially included at work. The social skills demanded vary from place to place, but there are basic skills that every employee should know. This blog post…

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Meet Our Fall Navigator Cohort

On November 2, the Hire Autism team trained 9 new navigators as a part of our fall cohort. Congratulations to our newest navigators: Jeffrey Crawford Frank Haynes Brooke Kacala Angeline Loaiza Mariel Loughlin Juan Martinez Briana Oliver Misha Sharma Claudia Zacharias Hire Autism navigators play a vital role in equipping job seekers with the tools…

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