Hire Autism recently published two new employment-related articles on its website. These articles aim to provide much-needed answers to job seekers’ frequently asked questions. Additionally, each article features input from community members who have experience with the topic. “Making the Most of Career Fairs” discusses what career fairs are and how they are helpful in…
Being an older brother to someone with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a journey filled with unique challenges and profound rewards. To provide insight into our family and the perspective from which I write, I am the older brother of James, the younger brother of Jacob, and the son of Sherly and Tom. The middle…
Siblings of autistic individuals experience both benefits and challenges related to their sibling relationships. Benefits often include greater empathy, compassion, and resilience. Challenges can include parentification (i.e., acting in a parental role in childhood), struggling to plan for future caregiving, and responding to challenging behaviors. Parents often report worrying about the experiences and well-being of…
I love to travel! It’s fun getting out of the house and exploring a new environment. But for us autistic people, traveling can bring some unique challenges. That is why I’m here to help you plan and execute a successful vacation as an individual on the autism spectrum. Plan for Accommodations Traveling as an autistic…
Boundaries help us build trust, safety, and respect in relationships. How do you set and communicate boundaries with others around you? Clear communication yields the best results when establishing boundaries. If I need to communicate boundaries, I must ensure that my delivery is tactful and kind. I articulate my needs using the same methods as…
There are few events as satisfying as overcoming an obstacle. Navigating the politics, personalities, and job tasks required to hold your own in the workplace can be intimidating. Autism presents some challenges, but the resilience and ability to adapt—that’s already inside of you. You already possess some of the tools needed to shine in a professional…
Hire Autism welcomes its spring navigator cohort of eight talented volunteers. Congratulations to Debbie Lamb, Orissa Adams, Leon Carter, Lorraine Hernandez, Cherish Holder, Ganesh Sawant, Jack James, and Katie Hanson! These new navigators will offer invaluable support in refining resumes, crafting compelling cover letters, honing interview skills, and building confidence. While they come from various…
In November, OAR’s Board of Directors authorized funding for eight applied autism research studies in 2024. These new grants, totaling $297,569, bring OAR’s total research funding to more than $5 million since 2002. This article is the fifth of eight previews to be featured in The OARacle this year. Being able to get from place…
This spring, OAR teamed up with several experts from its Scientific Council to deliver a three-part webinar series about autism education. This series included presentations on connection and community building, the development of confidence in mathematics, and wellbeing integration for teachers and students. Each webinar provided extensive information and practical strategies for special education teachers, self-advocates,…
Earlier this year, OAR laid out a set of ambitious goals to continue engaging community members in celebration of April’s Autism Acceptance Month. OAR staff worked with teachers, parents, clinicians, autistic individuals, employers, and researchers to support their local initiatives and increase autism acceptance. This recap describes what was accomplished in partnership with community supporters…
