Frasier Cox, a boy with autism, recently won best overall bedtime story in the Our Bedtime Story Competition. The annual U.K. competition for children between the ages of 5 and 11 offers winners the opportunity to collaborate with an illustrator and have their book published. Based on the 2017 theme of friendship, Frasier’s story, “There’s…
Two years ago, I decided it was time to talk to my son’s classmates about autism. Matthew was at a school that included kindergarten through third grade. My goal was likely the same as yours or any parent of a child with autism: I wanted my child to be understood and liked by his classmates.…
School is not only the place children go to learn math and reading, among other subjects, it’s also a place where they make friends, often friends whose friendship spans a lifetime. That ability to make friends is a struggle for many children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), who find it difficult to master the necessary…
The next time you’re at the grocery store, spend a few extra minutes in the bread aisle and take note of the seemingly infinite selection. As kids some 50 years ago, our choices were pretty limited: white, cinnamon raisin, rye, and wheat. Each had its own special appeal. White smothered with peanut butter and jelly…
People often refer to executive function as the “CEO” of the brain because it is what helps us set goals, plan, and get things done. It is a term professionals and lay people have used for years and it’s likely you have used it or heard it used in reference to people with autism, who…
This article is a modified version of an article that was originally published in the May 2006 issue of The OARacle. Summer is the time of year when we kick back, take time to relax (or at least slow down), and enjoy outdoor activities. As I reflect back on my summers as a child, one…
For children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), popular vacation destinations such as theme parks can be overwhelming and frightening. With summer fast approaching, parents who are looking for a destination that suits everyone in the family may find the perfect spot at the nation’s first autism-friendly theme park. Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit entity behind Sesame…
“Lucas is not getting along with others in the class room.” “We need to observe his behavior.” “Is everything okay at home?” These are words a mother does not want to hear. Lucas was only in kindergarten when I heard those words. I had my own question for teachers, school specialists, and administrators: “What is…
Dr. Gerhardt, OAR’s founding Scientific Council chairman, gave a 45-minute presentation on the topic of transition planning, including a review of current national autism indicators; the definitions of quality of life; and the advantages of community-based instruction for targeting key skills in areas such as employment, transportation, extracurriculars, and communication. Of the 700 plus registrants,…
Parents know the challenges that come with advocating for their children with autism. One of the most important ways to support them is for parents to communicate regularly and clearly with school administrators to ensure that their child’s academic and social needs are being met to the fullest extent possible in the least restrictive environment.…
