During Autism Acceptance Month, 520 virtual and in-person participants took on the annual Active for Autism 5K and Kids Dash to support autism research. Participants hailed from 28 states, as well as Washington, D.C., and Canada, and ranged in age from 3 to 80. Together, they raised nearly $50,000 for OAR’s Changing Lives Fund. “The…
Don’t stop now! Autism Acceptance Month is over but there are plenty of chances for you to stay involved or get involved. It matters. And it’s fun! Volunteer Are you a parent, educator, or autistic individual who: Is interested in teaching children about autism acceptance? Would enjoy distributing informational resources to organizations in your community…
Check out the Neuroinclusive Healthcare Education Hub, created by All Brains Belong VT to host online resources and lived experiences for the autistic community. Partially funded through the OAR and AIR-P Community Grant in 2022 and 2023, the Hub is a collection of online resources co-created by neurodivergent healthcare professionals and patients to educate medical…
Across the lifespan, autistic people are more likely to have a diagnosis of obesity than non-autistic people. For this article, “obesity” refers to the medical diagnosis of an elevated body mass index. It is important to be mindful of variety in preferences related to term use (for example, a preference for “larger body size” instead…
Our bodies are designed to move. Every bit of movement counts as physical activity, which is critical for maintaining good health. Physical activity doesn’t have to be intensive sports or heavy gym workouts. There are many other practical ways to stay active and healthy. Health behavior scientists recognize that excessive sedentary behavior is a risk…
A Shift in Communication Early in my career as a school-based speech-language pathologist (SLP), I worked with a student who had very limited verbal speech. His frustration often led to behavioral outbursts, as he struggled to make his needs known. I introduced an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) core board that allowed him to choose…
ARLINGTON, VA, April 17, 2025 – In celebration of April Month of the Military Child, the Organization for Autism Research (OAR) is proud to announce the recipients of the Operation Autism grant. These awards recognize and fund support groups that are making a difference in the lives of military families impacted by autism. Each award…
OAR received entries from 111 talented artists across 20 states and four countries with their interpretations of the theme, “Dreams,” for this year’s Youth Art Contest. Every entry showcased creativity and a deep connection to the theme, and we were truly inspired by the incredible talent on display. We are grateful for their thoughtful contributions! …
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is planning a large study to look into potential connections between autism and vaccines, according to a March 10 Reuters article, even though extensive past studies have found no links. While the CDC has not provided details about the study, The Washington Post reported that the…
