Change is scary. To embrace the unknown goes against every fiber of our animalistic instincts. As humans, we tend to fear change because we find comfort in our expectations and certainty of routine. For individuals on the spectrum, this fear is intensified. The well-being of those living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) depends on knowing…
“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…
Remember when tolerance was thought to be social progress, even though it emanated a clear subtext of “Oh, wellllllll, if I haaaave to…”? At the time, we thought the concept of racial tolerance or religious tolerance was revolutionary. And before “acceptance” we had “awareness,” which too often could imply that “we wanted to make you…
You very likely know someone diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD); you also are likely to know of someone who has died by suicide. Unfortunately, it is possible that these two people may be one and the same. People with ASD may have an increased risk of suicide and suicidal behavior for reasons we hope…
Individuals on the autism spectrum can often feel isolated from their communities. They may not be integrated into social activities or have a lot of opportunity to try new recreational outings with peers their age. This can be especially true for older teens and adults. As their classmates and co-workers tend to socialize without the…
Happy New Year! It’s that time of year when folks set new personal goals and challenges. The tradition of setting New Year’s resolutions can be traced back over 4,000 years to ancient Babylon. OAR can trace its resolutions to 2001, the year we were founded. Now 16 years old and having reveled in our 2017…
Evidence-based practice (EBP) is very much the buzzword in educational and therapy programs for children, youth, and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). By EBP, we mean intervention and instructional practices or programs having scientific evidence that shows that they are effective. The EBP movement came from the field of medicine and dates back nearly…
You do it. I do it. We all do it. As we prepare for the pending holidays, no matter how old your child is, many of us wonder: “Will he/she will be able to handle [Insert your concern here] this year?” “Should we even bother with a huge gathering or should we just celebrate on…
My employer, JPMorgan Chase & Co., faces an immense challenge every single day. We need talented people—especially those with technology expertise—and we need them now. Our competitors in the financial services field are facing the same challenge, but we’re not just competing against them. We’re battling for talent with giant digitally oriented companies, small financial…
When a child with autism enters a new classroom, there are many worries. First and foremost, the child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may be anxious about the year, the teacher, and the work expectations. The child’s parents may worry about how the child will manage the work, the social demands, and the change in…
