OAR strives to support autistic young adults in their transition to college and adulthood, a process that can be overwhelming as they leave the support of the K-12 special education system. This fall, as part of that targeted support for autistic young adults, OAR has a goal to distribute 15,000 copies of our informational resources…
Everyone deserves a fulfilling college experience, including autistic students. Going to college can be an exciting opportunity to discover new interests, live independently, and develop self-advocacy skills. OAR created Finding Your Way: A College Guide for Students on the Spectrum to help autistic students become better prepared for college life and academics. This guidebook offers…
OAR interviewed Samantha Harker, a 2020 Schwallie Family Scholarship recipient and member of OAR’s Scholars’ Society, to ask her how she made the transition from high school to college and what advice she has for autistic students pursuing postsecondary education. The Scholars’ Society offers long-term engagement and support for students who have received awards through…
Accommodations can support success and learning in college. However, even college students with approved accommodations may experience barriers to receiving them. Deciding that you want to disclose your disability is the first step in obtaining approved accommodations, but it is not the end of the process. After you are approved for accommodations, you will need…
Maybe you’re looking for experience in your desired career field. Or maybe your parents said it’s time for you to pay for some things on your own. Or maybe you just want to make some money over the summer to open a savings account. Whatever the reason, searching for a job or internship can be…
In a study published in 2023, more autistic college students reported below-average mental health (22.9%) than their non-autistic peers (14.3%), highlighting the critical importance of information for autistic college students about mental health and how to maintain good mental health. Created by a team led by Vanessa Bal, Ph.D., and Evan Kleiman, Ph.D., at Rutgers…
We are excited to announce the creation of our Scholars’ Society and hope to increase the ways in which we can network and connect our scholars with meaningful employment and vocational-oriented opportunities. OAR’s Scholars’ Society for recipients of OAR’s scholarships provides opportunities for personal and professional growth through: Increasing communication between OAR and the scholars,…
Valerie Thompson, a later diagnosed autistic individual, found herself going to interviews and receiving positive feedback but not a final offer despite considerable tech industry experience. She turned to Hire Autism for help and was paired with Angela Herbert, a Hire Autism navigator. Over several weeks, the pair met virtually to discuss Thompson’s job search,…
“The world needs different kinds of minds to work together.” – Temple Grandin That’s right…I said it: Neurodiversity is a superpower. In this article, I explore the incredible strengths autistic and other neurodivergent* individuals bring to the workforce, why these strengths are important for employers, and what neurodivergent employees should look for in a potential…
