What does mental health mean to you, and why do you think it’s important? To me, mental health means a lot of things. To keep it brief, here are some of the ways I think mental health is meaningful to me. Taking time for myself Talking to family Talking to a friend Asking for help…
I grew up in a time when mental conditions were mostly used as insults, so I never considered that autism or ADHD could apply to me. I often misunderstood other people’s reactions, yet I assumed everyone felt the same, but hid their struggles better than I could. I thought I was simply bad at being normal. Misunderstood by the People Closest to Me In elementary school, teachers praised…
TroveMarket.com is the first online marketplace in the country exclusively for entrepreneurs with disabilities. It went live at Thanksgiving with items ranging from greeting cards and personalized tumblers to jewelry and potholders, all made by sellers with disabilities. When Belle Meador, a young autistic woman created a microbusiness selling handmade greeting cards, she inspired her…
At the beginning of a new year, January offers a natural moment to pause, reflect, and look ahead. For OAR, 2025 was a year of continued growth, learning, and connection across the autism community. Throughout the year, we advanced our mission to apply research to the challenges of autism by expanding resources, strengthening partnerships, and…
This fall, OAR set out to provide free informational resources about autism to families, individuals, and communities across the country. With your help, we surpassed many of our goals for distributing paperback resources and increasing engagement with our Libby library. Goal 1: Provide Informational Resources to Support Families By the end of the fall outreach…
Clear, accessible health information is essential for autistic people and their families. OAR can help with these new free online resources focused on improving the health and wellness of autistic individuals. Pathways to Wellness is a user-friendly e-book designed to support autistic individuals, their families, and professionals in promoting healthier lifestyles. Created by Eden II Programs, this…
In October 2025, OAR’s Board of Directors authorized funding for eight applied autism research grants. These new research grants, totaling $397,372, bring OAR’s total research funding to $5.8 million since 2002. This article is the first of the previews to be featured in The OARacle this year. Communication difficulties remain a core diagnostic feature of autism, significantly affecting children’s academic readiness, social…
When your child receives an autism diagnosis, the world shifts, quietly, and then all at once. The air in the house feels different. Your thoughts rearrange themselves. And suddenly, you’re not only a parent, but an interpreter of a new language. Sharing that diagnosis with neurotypical siblings and extended family can feel like opening a door that may not feel very safe…
Arlington, VA, January 5, 2026 – The Organization for Autism Research (OAR) is publishing the Korean translation of the Kit for Kids program, which aims to promote autism awareness and acceptance among elementary and middle school students. The following Korean-translated PDFs are available to download now: Kit for Kids Classroom Set What’s Up with Nick? Booklet Classroom Poster Lesson Plan How to Use Sheet Kit for Kids Activity Workbooks Classroom…
