OAR is pleased to announce the first three winners of the Autism Education Grant Program. Launched earlier this year, the Autism Education Grant Program supports projects that aim to promote autism awareness and acceptance among students in grades K-8 using OAR’s peer education program. Congratulations to the Grant Recipients! Christina Rodriguez for her project, ASD:…
Adults with autism often face high levels of unemployment because of their social and communication challenges. OAR created a new program that aims to help close the gap with virtual support from trained volunteers. C. Murphy, a college student from southeastern Virginia, recently landed the perfect part-time job thanks to the help of a Hire…
“It feels like whenever my family and I are out in public, my autistic brother will have a full-blown meltdown. People always stare so I get really embarrassed, but I also worry about how angry he gets. What can I do about this?” This is one of the many challenges kids and teens grapple with…
My father died almost 40 years ago. Nonetheless, hardly a day goes by without something Dad taught me coming into play. Sometimes it’s a direct memory. Other times it’s a turn of phrase, a joke, or a pun. He loved the English language, the spoken word, and the gift of conversation. What would he be…
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are psychiatrically hospitalized at significantly higher rates than peers with other developmental or psychiatric conditions, according to several studies from the past few years. Not only that, but they are more likely to go to an emergency department due to a psychiatric or behavioral crisis, more likely to be…
Companies are increasingly recognizing the value neurodiverse employees bring to the workforce. To enable employees with cognitive differences to succeed and fully realize the benefit of their talents, businesses need to do more than accommodate; they may need to adjust their recruitment, selection, and career development practices to reflect a broader definition of talent. Educate…
As parents and caretakers, we face many challenges in ensuring that our children are safe, healthy, and happy. My wife and I have encountered several scares. Our son had a respiratory episode a few days after he was born, which resulted in a week-long stay in the hospital, several tests, serious discussions with specialists about…
At 17 years old, Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize twice, has been named TIME Magazine’s youngest ever Person of the Year, and has addressed world leaders in a now viral speech given at the UN Climate Action Summit. Thunberg is also on the autism spectrum and vocal…
OAR is currently accepting applications for its Applied Research Competition. Since 2002, OAR has funded over 265 research studies, bringing its funding total to more than $4 million. OAR expects to build on this success in 2020, continuing its support of research studies that offer meaningful outcomes to individuals with autism and their families. Applied…
OAR is accepting applications for the 2020 OAR Scholarship Program through Monday, May 4, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Applicants can apply to either the Schwallie Family Scholarship or the Lisa Higgins Hussman Scholarship. Each offers $3,000 scholarships to students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (DSM-IV or DSM-5 criteria) pursuing full-time, post-secondary, undergraduate education in the United…
