It is commonly known that it takes an average of 17 years before an impactful research study affecting clinical or healthcare knowledge is incorporated into practice. Why the delay? And why, in the era of social media and rapid information flow, is information misinterpreted and contorted? These questions, and others, are important for our society…
April has been designated as a month to celebrate and campaign for autism acceptance since the 1970s. As part of OAR’s April activities, we are hosting a four-part webinar series on the themes of sexuality and relationships. Conversations about sexuality and relationships are needed just as much in the autistic community as they are in…
In November, OAR’s Board of Directors authorized funding for eight applied autism research studies in 2023. These new grants, totaling $313,712, bring OAR’s total research funding to more than $4.7 million since 2002. This article is the second of eight previews to be featured in The OARacle this year. Unhealthy substance use, which includes alcohol, marijuana,…
In January, the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) approved a new strategic plan, as reported in Disability Scoop. The new plan provides recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services regarding autism research, services, and supports, among others. In addition, it calls for a “substantial increase” in government funding for autism research to reach…
Transition teams are critical to building effective plans for youth who are preparing to embark on their adult lives after high school. These teams are tasked with creating and implementing plans that best align with young adults’ goals, strengths, and interests. The transition process is meant to answer questions such as: What does the youth…
In November, OAR’s Board of Directors authorized funding for eight applied autism research studies in 2022. These new grants, totaling $313,712, bring OAR’s total research funding to more than $4.7 million since 2002. This article is the first of eight previews to be featured in The OARacle this year. Evidence-based practices are a key way to…
OAR is delighted to announce seven new research grants from the 2022 Applied Research Competition. These new grants, which total $276,212, brings OAR’s all-time total research funding to more than $4.74 million since 2002. The competition opened last December. OAR received 123 pre-proposals and subsequently invited 45 applicants to submit full proposals. From the full…
OAR invites researchers to submit a letter of intent for the 2023 Applied Research Competition. The maximum award is $40,000 for pilot studies beginning in 2024 with a duration of one to two years. International researchers are eligible to apply. Letters of intent will be accepted through Monday, March 20, 2023 at 11:59 PM ET.…
Recent data suggests that 40% of autistic children under the age of 7 have an anxiety disorder. Anxiety can exacerbate autism symptoms, such as worsening sensory over-reactivity and difficulty tolerating change, and contribute to social withdrawal and avoidance. Further, anxiety in young children is associated with a 3.5 times higher risk of anxiety and depression…
With multiple high-profile stories of negative interactions between autistic individuals and law enforcement, coupled with the fact that autism impacts individuals throughout their lives, there has been increasing attention to the need for better understanding of how to prevent adverse outcomes. Preliminary research has demonstrated that autistic individuals deal with the criminal justice system frequently,…
