OAR thanks all the participants in this year’s Youth Art Contest. We received submissions from 100 talented artists representing 22 states and four countries, each offering a unique interpretation of the theme, Courage. Every piece reflected creativity, thoughtfulness, and a meaningful connection to the theme, and we were truly inspired by the remarkable talent shared…
During Autism Acceptance Month, OAR is asking supporters to turn awareness into impact with our 30-Day Fundraising Challenge—a fast-paced opportunity to raise critical funds for autism research and make a measurable difference. Here’s how: Launch a personal fundraising page anytime in April and commit to fundraising over a 30-day period. Have an event, bake some…
Arlington, VA, April 3, 2025 –The Organization for Autism Research (OAR) is excited to announce the winners of the Spring 2026 Peer Education Grant Competition. During this cycle, OAR awarded $34,449 to seven programs that support autism education for nearly 15,000 students in grades K-8. Since 2012, OAR has helped educate more than 290,000 students…
A Swedish study recently published in BMJ suggests that autism may not be more prevalent in boys than girls. Researchers analyzed autism diagnoses in children born in Sweden between 1985 and 2020. By the end of the study in 2022, the male-to-female ratio was 1.2 and researchers projected that it would be equal at age 20 by 2024. Historically,…
OAR welcomed 12 talented volunteers to navigator training in the new year. Hire Autism navigators prepare job seekers for their job search and hone interview skills, instilling confidence and readiness. Please congratulate Reyna Ahuja, Ebony Beckford, Mateo Ewell, Lesley Hausmann, Maria Latorre, Rachel LeBar, Adwoa Levin, Noelle Lewis, Coreece Lopez, Chelsea Maldonado, Valbona Olfat, and Quinn Oteman. These volunteers bring a range of experience and expertise, with…
April Autism Acceptance Month is just around the corner. You can play a big part in helping us reach our goals for promoting autism awareness and acceptance across the country! Goal 1: Provide informational resources to the autism community. OAR is proud to offer a wide range of free informational resources for the autism community. On our website, you’ll find…
Since 2024, OAR has published over 15 stand-alone articles on the Hire Autism website, offering autistic job seekers and employees a quick way to access practical employment tips and advice. From jumpstarting the job search to building professional relationships, these articles help readers make informed decisions throughout their journey from job search to the workplace. If you…
Join OAR to celebrate Autism Acceptance Month with our annual Active for Autism 5K and Kids Dash this April! This fitness and fundraising event promotes autism awareness and acceptance in our communities, with proceeds supporting new autism research and free, evidence-based resources. “Our 8th annual Active for Autism 5K and Kids Dash is shaping up to be our largest…
Mattel introduced a new Barbie, who is autistic and reflects some common features of autism, in January. In development for more than 18 months in partnership with ASAN, this doll joins the Barbie Fashionistas collection, which features a diverse range of skin tones, hair textures, body types, and various medical conditions and disabilities. In its announcement welcoming the new doll, ASAN…
OAR is excited to announce our 2026 Youth Art Contest, inviting autistic children and their siblings, classmates, and friends to share their creativity through art. The 2026 theme, Courage, encourages young artists to explore what it means to be themselves and express what courage looks like through their unique lens. Our Youth Art Contest continues to attract artists from across…
