“The worst thing you can do is nothing. ” ― Temple Grandin Have you ever taken a subway at rush hour in a new city? Herds of people bump into you and loud noises are everywhere. Signs with information you need flash so quickly that they are indiscernible to you. It is overwhelming, and you…
College. The word conjures up so many images and experiences. For students in their freshmen year, those experiences are likely to include adjusting to independence, exciting opportunities to grow, and keeping up with a rigorous academic schedule. These resources help students with autism know what to expect and how to adapt to college life and…
All children with special needs who succeed in school have at least one thing in common: parents who are passionate and effective advocates. As parents, we have the ability to advocate for our children by asking questions and speaking up for them. At times, this can be uncomfortable or even difficult to do; however, no…
For students in special education, “transition” refers to the time when a young adult leaves the K-12 education system and embarks upon adult life. Transition is a period marked by great potential – and significant uncertainty. It is crucial for autistic, young adults and their families to approach the transition process empowered by thoughtful planning.…
I still remember the day before my son’s first Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting. I was so nervous that I wrote down everything I wanted to say about my child in a notebook. Thankfully, the IEP team was enormously supportive, and he was placed in a well-fitted classroom, where he learned and played a lot.…
As an autistic college student, how can you endure others’ judgment, discrimination, and misconceptions and find the confidence to be yourself? You can take steps to develop your own support systems that will promote self-advocacy and self-acceptance and help you thrive. Kathleen Burkhardt, an autistic self-advocate and previous winner of the Schwallie Family Scholarship, shared…
Compared to the start of school last year, there was much for children and parents to celebrate when the 2021-22 school year started, including the fact that most children could attend school in person and the availability in November of vaccines for children under 12. That good news, however, was complicated by ongoing issues related…
OAR’s newest scholarship, the Synchrony Scholarship for Autistic Students of Color, is being made available in partnership with the Disabilities Diversity Network at Synchrony, a Fortune 150 company, as part of their national “Education as an Equalizer” initiative. The Synchrony Scholarship for Autistic Students of Color provides targeted financial support for autistic students of color…
In September, OAR hosted two webinars, which are now available for viewing. The first, Supporting Paraprofessionals to Implement Functional Communication Training (FCT) to Address Challenging Behavior, was held on September 16 and presented by Drs. Virginia Walker, PhD, BCBA-D, and Megan Carpenter, PhD. The second webinar, The Impact of COVID-19 on Families of Children with…
