Autism presents a range of safety challenges across the lifespan, including difficulty interacting with law enforcement, communicating with others, and unknowingly engaging in illegal activities. OAR’s Life Journey Through Autism: A Guide to Safety helps parents prepare for these and many other safety issues. The guide offers practical strategies for caregivers and first responders to…
Navigating academic responsibilities and a social life in college can be overwhelming, even more so for autistic students. Seeking help can also be challenging for autistic individuals. In an OAR “first,” two 2020 OAR applied research grantees used research from their most recent study to write a new OAR guide that provides advice about how…
Going to college can be an exciting opportunity for students to discover new interests, live independently, and develop self-advocacy skills. All college students deserve to have a fun and fulfilling experience, and that includes those who are autistics. OAR’s Finding Your Way: A College Guide for Students on the Spectrum was created to help autistic…
Communication boards are a form of augmentative and alternate communication that can be used in households, schools, and other community settings. Through the use of graphics and visuals, these boards can help bridge the communication gap between nonspeaking or minimally speaking individuals and their caregivers, teachers, and peers. The boards display photos, symbols, or illustrations…
Communication is critical in many aspects of daily life to indicate our preferences, needs, and decisions with others. However, not everyone communicates in the same way, so it is important to recognize the usage of alternate forms of communication, including augmentative and alternate communication (AAC), and how best to converse with individuals who may have…
Autistic individuals face many challenges in life, which can be exacerbated if they belong to another community such as the LGBTQIA+ community. This month’s Resource Spotlight identifies resources to support individuals who are both autistic and a part of the LGBTQIA+ community. The Autistic Women and Nonbinary Network (AWN) is a group working to provide…
For many teachers, tenured or new, navigating the world of an inclusive environment can be a confusing experience. However, inclusivity can be a unique opportunity — it can be an enlightening endeavor that brings educators and students closer in favor of education. Teaching children acceptance and awareness about their autistic peers has never been easier…
College. The word conjures up so many images and experiences. For students in their freshmen year, those experiences are likely to include adjusting to independence, exciting opportunities to grow, and keeping up with a rigorous academic schedule. These resources help students with autism know what to expect and how to adapt to college life and…
For students in special education, “transition” refers to the time when a young adult leaves the K-12 education system and embarks upon adult life. Transition is a period marked by great potential – and significant uncertainty. It is crucial for autistic, young adults and their families to approach the transition process empowered by thoughtful planning.…
Like starting a new chapter in a book, a new year brings anticipation of what we can expect. Starting the new year with resolutions sets us up for success and gives us a jumpstart on achieving our goals, whether those goals are to eat healthier, help an autistic loved one get a driver’s license, or…
