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OARacle Newsletter

Students Invited to Apply for the Graduate Research Grant

OAR invites graduate students in the United States and abroad to submit research proposals for the annual Graduate Research Grant Program. Applications for proposals will open Monday, September 11 with a deadline of Monday, February 5, 2024. The maximum award for master’s candidates is $1,000, while doctoral and post-doctoral candidates are eligible for a maximum award…

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Treating Anxiety in a School Setting

In 2019, OAR awarded a $2,000 Graduate Research Grant to Stephanie Joseph, a doctoral student at the University of Oregon studying special education. Her study examined the effectiveness of an intervention to reduce anxiety in elementary school-aged autistic children.    Anxiety disorders are one of the most commonly re-occurring comorbid diagnoses of children with autism, affecting…

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Meet the New Scientific Council Members

OAR’s Scientific Council oversees the annual research competitions and produces the highest quality reviews for prospective research study results. They also assist the board of directors in developing its research strategy, objectives, and priorities. Informally known as SCOAR, the Council recently welcomed three new members.   Noor Syed, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA/LBS, is an assistant professor, program coordinator,…

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Understanding Auditory Processing in Autistic Adults

In 2020, OAR awarded graduate researcher Chelsea Anderson a grant of $2,000 for her investigation into the role of auditory attention in speech-in-noise processing in young autistic adults. Her research study examined how auditory attention skills affect the ability of the brain to process sounds, particularly being able to hear speech in noise.   Auditory attention…

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Giving Parents the Tools to Improve Their Children’s Sleep

In November, OAR’s Board of Directors authorized funding for seven applied autism research studies in 2023. These new grants, totaling $276,212, bring OAR’s total research funding to more than $4.7 million since 2002. This article is the last of the seven previews to be featured in The OARacle this year.      Sleep concerns affect up to…

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OAR Awards Nine Grants to Graduate Researchers

OAR awarded nine grants totaling $16,312.97 in the 2023 Graduate Research Competition. These newly funded grants are a part of the more than $322,067 awarded to fund more than 180 graduate research studies since 2003. The program offers up to $1,000 to master’s students and $2,000 to doctoral candidates or post-doctoral students to conduct autism-focused…

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Unlocking Research

For most parents, the autism diagnosis can be challenging, especially when it comes to understanding the details and complexities of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). They are expected to educate themselves on medical details, the range of treatment options, and new approaches to interacting with their child. Understanding a complex disorder such as autism often requires…

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Including Fathers in Social Communication Interventions

Fathers are a primary communication and play partner for children. They play and talk with children in different ways than mothers do, providing important support for social communication and play development. Despite this critical role in child development, fathers are underrepresented in both autism communication intervention and research. Fathers have described feeling like the “odd…

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Coaching Fathers to Improve Children’s Communication Skills

In November, OAR’s Board of Directors authorized funding for seven applied autism research studies in 2023. These new grants, totaling $276,212, bring OAR’s total research funding to more than $4.7 million since 2002. This article is the sixth of seven previews to be featured in The OARacle this year.   Autistic children have marked deficits in communication…

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Older Autistic Adults at Higher Risk for Health Issues

Two new studies have found older autistic adults are at risk for age-related physical conditions and injuries and are particularly susceptible to certain mental health issues. The studies were presented at the International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) annual meeting, held May 3-6 in Stockholm, Sweden. The research presented is considered preliminary until it is…

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