College. The word conjures up so many images and experiences. For incoming freshmen, those experiences are likely to include adjusting to independence, exciting opportunities to grow, and keeping up with a rigorous academic schedule. These resources help students with autism know what to expect and how to adapt to college life and academics: OAR’s Finding…
College students with autism have the same desire as other college students: to become independent and obtain a degree that will lead to a career. Many need support yet retreat from services that focus on remediating difficulties, to the exclusion of developing strengths. They view intervention focused on remediating difficulties as an obstacle to independence…
Mathematics skills are crucial for everyday tasks that enable independence. It’s critical therefore that high school students with autism receive mathematics instruction that prepares them to apply the skills they learn in school to real-world settings. Generalization of Technology-based Mathematics and Social Skills Instruction for Students with Autism, an OAR-funded, 16-month study, proposes to examine…
One of the scariest times for a parent is when their child goes to college. If you are the parent of a child with autism or other disability, this time becomes even scarier. Parents who have been advocating for their child for several years through events like IEP meetings and therapist appointments are suddenly told,…
In this piece, sibling Eddie Grabill describes his transition to college and separation from his younger brother, Tommy, who is on the autism spectrum. When I left for college, I was very nervous about how Tommy would act. Tommy has struggled with dealing with changes his entire life. It is hard for him to understand…
In this piece, sibling Eddie Grabill reflects on his experience growing up with his little brother, Tommy, who is on the autism spectrum. My little brother Tommy is two years younger than me, and he has autism. Growing up with Tommy was very difficult. We went to the same high school and he would always come home…
OAR takes great pleasure in announcing the 2019 recipients of the Lisa Higgins Hussman Scholarship and Schwallie Family Scholarship. The two scholarships attracted over 700 applicants and the 38 awards total $114,000. With these additional scholarships, OAR has surpassed the $1 million mark, awarding a total financial contribution of more than $1,068,000 to 356 students…
In early July, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) officially announced its new offer of $150 million in grants to provide affordable housing to “non-elderly persons” who are living with a disability. A press release issued by HUD cites the number of Americans who will benefit from this opportunity as approximately 18,000,…
OAR is hosting a free webinar that addresses problem behavior using a successful team approach on Monday, August 12, 2019 at 1 p.m. ET, featuring Jane Barbin, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA. Register now or share information about the live, hour-long event, which will include the presentation followed by a brief Q&A session. Parents, other caregivers, clinicians, therapists, and…
Going to college is an exciting opportunity for students to defy expectations, discover new interests, live independently, and grow both academically and socially. All students that attend college deserve to have a safe and rewarding experience, including those with autism. OAR’s Finding Your Way: A College Guide for Students on the Spectrum was created to…
