One of the biggest challenges minimally speaking individuals, including those who are autistic face is the prevalent misconception that speech is a measure of intellect. Speech is a complex motor function of the brain. Autistic people with limited speaking abilities may also experience atypical sensory processing and difficulty with initiating, inhibiting, and purposefully controlling movement.…
Autistic individuals face many challenges in life, which can be exacerbated if they belong to another community such as the LGBTQIA+ community. This month’s Resource Spotlight identifies resources to support individuals who are both autistic and a part of the LGBTQIA+ community. The Autistic Women and Nonbinary Network (AWN) is a group working to provide…
It is natural for parents to wonder what role they play in the ABA process and how they can work effectively with an ABA therapist. When parents are active participants in their child’s treatment plan, the autistic child is more likely to succeed. Without your support and involvement, it is difficult to generalize skills and…
We are excited to announce that OAR’s new, expanded Hire Autism website launched on March 31. The new site features more jobs board search filters, a searchable resource library, an events calendar, a user accessibility widget, profile and job board navigation tutorials, personalized job alerts, and improved employer-candidate search capabilities. Following Hire Autism’s demonstration project…
Tyson’s Run, a film based on the true story of an autistic teenager, was released on March 11. The film follows the journey of Tyson, played by Major Dodson, as he overcomes bullying and prejudice to compete and win his first marathon. In his professional life, Tyson’s father, Bobby Hollerman, is a football coach with…
We Reillys are a typical family making our way through the 21st century. My wife, Linda, and I met in college and married in 2000. We have two children, Charlotte and Alexander. Charlotte is nearing the end of high school, and Alexander is anticipating the conclusion of his freshman year. We also have two furry…
Since receiving my son’s diagnosis, I have dreaded the moment when I must explain what it means to be autistic. Some have said I am fortunate because I have an intimate understanding of autism—having received my own diagnosis. While it was not presented to me softly, I plan to give my children a gentler introduction…
The CDC recently revamped its developmental milestones checklists for the first time since they were created in 2004. The clearer benchmarks make it easier for parents and medical professionals to identify developmental delays, including those that may indicate autism. Part of the “Learn The Signs. Act Early.” program, the revisions are intended to ensure that…
