“I was in the mainstream health class in high school, learning about health with students without disabilities. When the sexuality unit started, they removed me from class.” When a person with a disability shared that experience with me, it stopped me in my tracks. The message being sent was unmistakable: learning about physical activity and…
Relationships can be confusing—even when you want them, value them, and try hard to do them “right.” You might leave an interaction wondering whether something went well, whether you said too much or too little, or whether discomfort is just part of connection. These questions are common, and they are not a sign that you…
In October 2025, OAR’s Board of Directors authorized funding for eight applied autism research grants. These new research grants, totaling $397,372, bring OAR’s total research funding to $5.8 million since 2002. This article is the second of the previews in The OARacle this year. Most autistic adults, like neurotypical adults, are interested in and engage in sexual relationships. However, they face challenges…
A recent study that adapted Sex Ed for Self-Advocates, OAR’s online guide, for use in a direct-instruction intervention found that participants’ knowledge of interpersonal relationships increased on average between 16% and 20% on pre- and post-intervention measures. Participants also reported the intervention as helpful, with 92% indicating that their knowledge either improved or greatly improved…
Dating as an autistic young adult can feel overwhelming. To autistic and queer young adults, it can seem like there is an extra layer of social situations, phrases, and emotions to understand. When I began dating women, I felt as if I was entering a different world. This blog post won’t teach you the basics…
Sexuality is a part of every person’s life, and education about sexuality and sexual health is essential. However, this area is often overlooked for autistic individuals. The neglect of this topic and these skills can have consequences for the autistic individual’s quality of life, sexual health, and safety. As educators who have worked in clinical…
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 third of eight previews to be featured in The OARacle this year. Sexual and reproductive health is a…
Sexuality and relationship education includes a wide range of information: changing bodies, dating, kissing, gender identity, being turned down for a date, healthy relationships, and more. We know that teaching kids about sexuality and relationships is the best way to keep them healthy and safe. Despite this knowledge, we are not given a lot of…
The internet connects billions of people around the world, providing information and opportunities to bond with others around shared interests. Just as in your school, place of worship, or with any community group, the internet connects many different kinds of people. For example, there are online communities of teens and adults on the autism spectrum…
Autism Training for Sexual Assault Counselors is designed for college sexual assault counselors to provide them with information about autism and guidance on working with autistic survivors of sexual assault. The 90-minute training includes three modules: Autism Sexual assault and autism Counseling sexual assault survivors who are autistic The modules are designed to provide learners…
