After finding out that your child is autistic, you may have a sense of relief and empowerment because you knew they were different and now you know why and how to help. But what if your child has trouble accepting their own diagnosis? How can you help them move forward? First, accept and listen. Ensure…
We are ASD Band and all of the band members are autistic. Our band consists of four members, Rawan Tuffaha (lead singer), Jackson D. Begley (guitarist/singer), Ron Adea (pianist), and Spenser Murray (drummer). The band came together on Autism Awareness Day in 2019 when Jake’s House, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting families living with autism,…
Thank you to all the talented artists who participated in OAR’s 2024 Youth Art Contest. With entries from 125 artists across 24 states and five countries, the response was truly inspiring. Every submission beautifully captured the theme of “growth” in unique and heartfelt ways. What an amazing turnout for our fourth annual contest! Grand Prize…
OAR’s commitment to providing free resources to information for the autism community has just expanded with our new online lending library through Libby, by OverDrive. The library contains a wide range of autism-related titles for autistic individuals, parents, and professionals. You can also access many of OAR’s titles, including A Guide to Safety, A Guide for…
OAR supports local communities with valuable resources, assists autistic individuals preparing for employment, and raises funds to support autism research studies. You can join our mission and help make a difference. Here’s how you can help. Goal 1: Support the autism community with information (autistics, families, educators, professionals). OAR’s collection of guidebooks, manuals, curricula, and…
Arlington, VA, April 2, 2024 – In celebration of World Autism Day, the Organization for Autism Research (OAR) is excited to launch a new online lending library through the Libby app, by OverDrive. Users can now borrow autism-related books to use for free on their personal devices through the App store, Google Play store, Amazon…
In November, OAR’s Board of Directors authorized funding for eight applied autism research studies in 2024. These new grants, totaling $297,569, bring OAR’s total research funding to more than $5 million since 2002. This article is the third of eight previews to be featured in The OARacle this year. Sexual and reproductive health is a…
Sexuality and relationship education includes a wide range of information: changing bodies, dating, kissing, gender identity, being turned down for a date, healthy relationships, and more. We know that teaching kids about sexuality and relationships is the best way to keep them healthy and safe. Despite this knowledge, we are not given a lot of…
Join OAR and a series of expert presenters to learn evidence-based strategies to help nurture a positive school culture and teach practical skills that lead to greater independence. Together, let’s help autistic students unlock a greater sense of happiness, independence, and sense of belonging. If you are a teacher, parent, or autistic individual, do not…
“Mom, I’m autistic.” It was 1992. My eight-year-old first-born child, assigned female at birth, was holding a magazine article about an autistic girl. As a special education teacher, I knew a little about autism, but only a little. What was I supposed to say? I might have asked, “Why do you think you’re autistic?” and…
