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,…
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…
