The word “autistic” has always been stigmatized, its meaning is eclipsed by ideas of screaming children and socially unacceptable behaviors. But autism affects every person differently and is often not seen by the public eye. For me, autism has always played a large role in my life. Although I am not autistic, my younger brother…
Autistic individuals and their families have an expanding number of vacation destinations and activities available to them. What makes Myrtle Beach, N.C., unique is its unified, community-wide approach. According to a Toronto Star article, Myrtle Beach and its neighbor Surfside Beach were the first vacation destinations in the United States to be certified as autism-friendly,…
After two years of being virtual, the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) is back to an in-person race this October. The MCM is consistently one of OAR’s biggest events with 2022 marking the 17th year of OAR’s participation as a charity partner for the MCM and MCM 10K. For the first time, OAR also has entries…
Communication boards are a form of augmentative and alternate communication that can be used in households, schools, and other community settings. Through the use of graphics and visuals, these boards can help bridge the communication gap between nonspeaking or minimally speaking individuals and their caregivers, teachers, and peers. The boards display photos, symbols, or illustrations…
Because communication is integral to people’s ability to participate in their communities, the National Joint Committee for the Communication Needs of Persons with Severe Disabilities identifies it as a right. For autistic children and adults with significant communication needs who use less familiar forms of communication, such as sign language, gestures, and voice output communication…
In November, OAR’s Board of Directors authorized funding for five applied autism research studies in 2022. These new grants, totaling $196,272, bring OAR’s total research funding to more than $4.4 million since 2002. This article is the last of five previews to be featured in The OARacle this year. Almost all (93.7% according to one study) autistic…
I have two autistic brothers that I love beyond comprehension. Being their older brother is perhaps the single greatest and rewarding experience that I have in my life. It is a position that I would never change or alter in any capacity, for being their brother is what makes me… well, me. As siblings, we…
Earlier this year, OAR laid out a set of ambitious goals to continue engaging community members in celebration of April’s Autism Acceptance Month. We worked with teachers, parents, clinicians, autistic individuals, employers, and researchers to support their local initiatives and increase autism acceptance. This recap describes what we accomplished in partnership with community supporters like…
Communication is critical in many aspects of daily life to indicate our preferences, needs, and decisions with others. However, not everyone communicates in the same way, so it is important to recognize the usage of alternate forms of communication, including augmentative and alternate communication (AAC), and how best to converse with individuals who may have…
The fourth annual Active for Autism 5K & Kids Dash was another huge success, raising over $53,000 for OAR’s Changing Lives Fund. Throughout Autism Acceptance Month in April, over 250 runners representing four countries, 39 states, Washington D.C., and Guam dedicated their miles to autism research. OAR is grateful to all of the participants, fundraisers,…
