If you are a young adult on the autism spectrum or the parent of one, you have likely heard about the “cliff.” It’s that moment when you are out of high school, not interested in college, but you know you can’t play video games all day every day anymore. All of a sudden, you know…
Lately, I have been reading The Loving Push by Drs. Debra Moore and Temple Grandin. As the father of a young man (age 26) with Asperger’s Syndrome, I wish this book had existed when my son was much younger. As parents, my wife and I have worked hard to move our son forward throughout his…
Autism advocacy groups across the country are celebrating after a decade-long battle with state legislatures now that the nation’s leading health care provider plans to insure coverage for applied behavior analysis (ABA) for individuals on the autism spectrum. Starting in January 2017, UnitedHealthcare (UHC) will be modifying its standardized benefits package to offer coverage of…
In 2013, OAR funded a one-year study of the Advancing Social-Communication and Play (ASAP) intervention. Intended to improve the social-communication and engagement skills of elementary school-age children who are severely affected by ASD, the program was tested in four elementary school classrooms in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro, N.C. school district. Four children who ranged from kindergarten…
By Robert L. Koegel, Lynn Kern Koegel, and Kelsey Oliver In spite of the noted importance of having programs for developing socialization in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), many children with ASD receive no support while they are in school, most notably during times like recess and lunch when there should be many opportunities…
OAR takes great pleasure in announcing the 38 recipients of the Lisa Higgins Hussman Scholarships and Schwallie Family Scholarships for 2016. OAR awarded 20 Schwallie Family Scholarships and 18 Lisa Higgins Hussman Scholarships to students attending four-year or two-colleges, vocational/technical schools, or co-operative life skills programs. Together, the two scholarships attracted 430 applicants and provided…
OAR is recruiting volunteers interested in supporting its ongoing initiatives, including peer education, newsletter and blog writing, and community resource distribution: Community outreach and education volunteers: Share OAR informational materials about autism with neighbors, parent groups, first responders, schools, clinicians, and more. Blog contributors: Share your personal journey with autism on OAR’s blog and on…
When individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), their family members, and educational professionals think about the term “inclusion” and its meaning, different ideas, expectations, and concerns often result. For some, “inclusion” is synonymous with fully inclusive education alongside peers throughout the day; others may think of “inclusion” as participation with peers in some educational activities…
Deficits in speech, language, and communication are common in children with autism. The range of these challenges varies widely from failing to develop speech at all to having a large expressive vocabulary but not communicating effectively. While it is important to seek out the support of a speech-language pathologist, it is even more important to…
When you have a child with autism or other developmental disability, it’s easy to feel you don’t have a free moment. Between your child’s medical appointments, IEPs, household tasks, therapy, community activities, and work, your days are full. Not only that, but when you are witnessing worrisome or extreme behaviors or emotions in your child…
