For many autistic people, finding and keeping a job is still a major challenge. Research suggests that over 85 percent of autistic adults are unemployed or underemployed. In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, OAR is hosting a free webinar event on the topic of employment on Thursday, October 8, at 11 a.m. ET.…
As the mother of a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), I empathize with other parents and understand their deep concern for their sons’ and daughters’ futures. We are vigilant throughout every one of their developmental stages. Our core focus is to lay the foundation from which they will build their lives. But we hold…
In order to be able to live independently, it is necessary to be able to walk from place to place and cross streets successfully. Many autistic adults, however, are not able to safely navigate as a pedestrian, which makes a variety of activities, from holding a job and attending school to shopping and going to…
Online employment works well for many individuals. For example, working from home allows me, an autistic with multiple disabilities, the same opportunities as other employees. Living with COVID-19 has revealed that many jobs can adapt to remote employment. Companies that were hesitant to embrace telecommuting have discovered its many benefits, including reduced costs and lower…
My name is Ariel Coburn and I am a self-advocate. I have been drawing for as long as I have been able to hold a pencil. In October 2018, at a Halloween Party for my social group, Mrs. Deborah Hammer, the facilitator, informed me that her father needed an illustrator for a children’s book he…
OAR is hosting a free webinar event on the topic of employment. Those who attend the live event will receive a certificate of attendance. Autism and the Skilled Trades Thursday, October 8, 11 a.m., ET Presenter Danny Combs will discuss how organizations, individuals with autism, and their families can set people with autism up for…
Parenting is never easy, but parenting during a pandemic poses entirely new challenges. For many, if not all of us, school is going to look different this year. For parents of children with special needs, this burden is unique as we take on the role of teacher, paraprofessional, and therapist, all while juggling work, family,…
Research shows that paraprofessionals can implement supports in the classroom that will enable them to address challenging behavior among students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Research has also shown that functional communication training can be implemented in school settings among students with ASD. What research has not shown, however, is if paraprofessionals can deliver functional…
My children are teaching me about how to approach the school year. My family learned many lessons over the last six months. We learned how much we valued each other, how much we could endure together, and how to help others. With four daughters at home ages 2, 4, 6, and 20, my school day…
The COVID-19 pandemic has led many school districts to hold classes remotely this fall. While virtual learning can be difficult for students on the autism spectrum and their parents and teachers, it also provides the opportunity to take advantage of online resources. OAR’s online educational resources can supplement virtual learning for a range of audiences:…
