A self-advocate shares his experience growing up on the spectrum and offers some advice. My name is Russell Lehmann, I am 26-years-old and I happen to have autism. I have come a long, long way in life. Fourteen years ago, at the height of my distress, I was pretty much non-verbal. I was too afraid…
“Many of us are told all our lives that our social communication is deficient. We apparently have ‘poor social skills’ and ‘poor communication.’ I will refute that here and now as complete rubbish.” Self-advocate Jeanette Purkis writes from her perspective on coming to find pride and community around the way she communicates. This post was…
Self-advocate Erin Clemens reflects on accepting the way her brain processes differently amid the changes in routine during the holidays. This piece was originally found on the Mighty. This year, for the Thanksgiving holiday, I did everything in my power to stick to my routine. I knew it would be important for me as someone…
Shanell Mouland, mother of a daughter on the spectrum, shares advice for preparing for the holiday season. It’s that time of year again. When the fragrant smells of holiday baking, the flickering lights of zealous holiday decorators and the anticipation of the big guy’s visit all come together to make for seriously painful sensory reactions…
For individuals with autism, a good night’s sleep can be elusive. Treating the problem with medication comes with its own difficulties, including side effects and the effectiveness of the medication. While many research studies have focused on sleep problems in young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), few have been conducted that examine solutions for…
Toys R Us stores are typically known for their aisles packed with excited noisy children and busy parents. Unfortunately, it is not an environment that welcomes a child with autism who is sensitive to sensory stimulation and chaotic environments, posing a dilemma for busy parents. Toys R Us stores across the United Kingdom came up…
OAR developed the Kit for Kids program to help teach elementary and middle school students to better understand and learn to accept their peers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The kit consists of a lesson plan, peer education booklet, classroom poster, and how-to tips for parents and teachers. We sat down with Dr. Jonathan Campbell…
OAR is currently accepting applications for its Applied Research Competition and Graduate Research Grant Program. Since 2002, OAR has funded 220 applied and graduate research studies totaling more than $3.6 million. This year, OAR awarded 17 applied and graduate research grants totaling $198,253. OAR hopes to build on this success in 2017, continuing its support…
On November 15, OAR’s Scientific Council met in Columbus, Ohio, to conduct the final review for the 2016 Applied Research Competition. In the most competitive year since 2002, Council members had the difficult task of identifying the best studies from a very strong pool of proposals. OAR received 148 preproposals and invited 69 applicants to…
In 2012, OAR introduced a character named Nick in the book, “What’s Up With Nick?”, the main component of its Kit for Kids. Since then, through the book, Nick has visited tens of thousands of families, classrooms, Scout troops, and other places acting as the face of autism for all the kids who may not…
