How better to celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month than by sharing the story of Carl Peterson, a Hire Autism job seeker? His story is representative of so many who have come to Hire Autism to use the resources they find there and the expertise of Hire Autism’s volunteer navigators. After receiving his second master’s…
OAR is developing a new digital resource to provide information and resources for late-diagnosed autistic adults. We are seeking volunteers to review the online toolkit, which is comprised of a variety of fact sheets, tip sheets, and worksheets for adults both pre- and post-diagnosis. Most autistic people receive their diagnoses early in their lives, enabling…
For the fourth consecutive year, Jewelers for Children has pledged an additional $50,000 to support OAR’s Kit for Kids program. This brings Jewelers for Children’s total contribution to OAR to $170,000. The Jewelers for Children Board of Directors announced the 2021 contribution during the organization’s annual board meeting in Las Vegas on August 29, 2021.…
October has marked a celebration of disabled people in the workplace since 1945. Now known as National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), this occasion invites all people to recognize the challenges and accomplishments of disabled workers and the importance of disability inclusion in the workplace. In honor of NDEAM, OAR is excited to present its…
“Help Wanted” signs seem to be commonplace these days. According to news and business reports, employers across the country are struggling to find workers, and many workforce experts state there are more jobs than available workers. Some equate this to high unemployment benefits or low wages. However, many employers are offering comfortable living wages, especially…
Early identification and treatment can prevent challenging behavior from escalating and becoming firmly established in autistic children. Decades of collaborative research in the United States has shown that parent-implemented behavioral interventions can help to reduce that challenging behavior. However, in China, where more than 2 million children have autism, evidence-based practices have not been systematically…
Communicating how you do your best work is essential to employment success. By understanding their individual needs and communication styles, autistic job applicants and employees can advocate for the tools they require to do their best work. Parents and teachers can begin early to develop that understanding by modeling and teaching self-advocacy skills through understanding…
My little brother was diagnosed with severe autism. He wasn’t able to focus on his tasks or studies. One day I realized his interest in smart devices while he was playing with my smartphone. I immediately looked for content and apps that were educational and fun, but found none that suited his needs. They were…
On a plane and road trip into Maryland, our family stopped in Annapolis, the state capital, and I wondered aloud where would be a good place to eat lunch. Noticeably excited, Ian, our eighteen-year-old autistic son, said, “I know.” So Ian pulled out from his luggage in the trunk a well-worn copy of the comfort…
