Sports arenas have well-deserved reputations for being extremely loud, crowded, and over-stimulating, as anyone who has ever been to a game knows. Now NFL franchises are finding ways to accommodate individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or other developmental disabilities. The Philadelphia Eagles, for example, recently opened the first NFL sensory-inclusive room at Lincoln Financial Field,…
OAR invites graduate students to submit proposals for new research studies that will commence July 1, 2020, or later for the 2020 Graduate Research Grant Program. Since the program was established in 2004, OAR has awarded over $269,970 in grants to fund 149 graduate research studies. Last year, OAR made grants to 11 students with grant…
Military families face all the emotions and challenges that accompany having a child diagnosed with autism, compounded by the realities of service: war, extended family separation, frequent moves, varying access to specialized healthcare, and other stressors that complicate and often work against effective treatment for children with autism. In response to these challenges, OAR created…
In October, OAR released an audio version of the Sex Ed. for Self-Advocates guide. Topics of sex, sexuality, and relationships are very important in terms of personal growth, development, and safety, but few resources exist about them that directly address the needs and concerns of people with autism. By widening the accessibility of this resource,…
Are you looking to purchase a technology product as a gift for someone with autism? If so, please do not go out and buy the latest hyped technology gizmo you just saw on a home shopping channel or read about online. Rather, spend some time first to consider what your family member with autism spectrum…
Our son, William, who is in the 8th grade, plans his Halloween costume a year in advance. Yes, officially our holiday season begins long before the fall. William is not concerned with what others think. He chooses his costume and takes to the festivities of the day. Maybe it is just the simple pleasure of…
Executive functions are the set of thinking skills that allow us to successfully set goals, make plans, wait for what we want, organize information, and be flexible. These skills are critical to doing well in school, at work, and living on our own. People with autism, however, often have difficulty with executive functions, preventing them…
It’s holiday season, a time of thanks, joy, and quality time spent with loved ones. Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering or attending one as a guest, there is a lot of preparation involved, from picking out which outfit to wear to deciding what dish to make. For your loved one with autism, there are…
This blog post has been adapted from “Chapter 4: Vocation and Employment” of OAR’s resource “A Guide for Transition to Adulthood”. When considering a possible job, it is important to consider when and if your young adult will disclose if they have ASD. For employment opportunities, if they have had assistance securing the job and…
Jump to Episode: Episode 1: Public vs. Private Episode 2: Puberty (non-binary) Episode 2.5: Puberty (gendered) Episode 3: Healthy Relationships Episode 4: Consent Episode 5: Dating 101 Episode 6: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Episode 7: Am I Ready? Episode 8: Sexual Activity Episode 9: Online Relationships and Safety Episode 1: Public vs.…
