In October, OAR’s Board of Directors authorized funding for six new applied autism research studies in 2018. These new grants, totaling $176,090, bring OAR’s total research funding to over $3.6 million since 2002. This is the fourth of six previews to be featured in The OARacle this year. Pedestrian skills are necessary for successful independent…
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…
In 2016, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children assisted law enforcement and families with approximately 20,500 cases of missing children. Many families and caregivers try to protect their children from abduction by specifically teaching them skills like understanding the concept of strangers, warning signs of distrustful behavior, and what to do if they…
This article is an excerpt from OAR’s “Understanding Autism: Professional Development Curriculum.” For students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), temper tantrums may be triggered for a variety of reasons. Because many children with autism have difficulties communicating in socially acceptable ways, they may act out when they are confused, afraid, anxious, or stressed about something.…
As we enter the warmer months, our thoughts naturally turn to pleasant outdoor activities to take advantage of the enjoyable weather. While this is certainly a refreshing opportunity after a long winter, it does present challenges for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) as they finish the school year. During this time of year, school…
These recommendations from OAR’s “A Guide to Safety” can help you steer your adolescent in a healthy and safe direction. Luke is a teen with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Like any other teenager, dating and relationships are something he thinks about a lot. Like many of his peers with ASD, he doesn’t understand the unspoken…
The Senate did not vote on a revised version of “Kevin and Avonte’s Law” before the close of its December session, meaning the bill will not become law. Named after two boys with autism who died after wandering away from a supervised environment, the bill would have expanded a program that funds tracking devices for…
Safety is ever present in our minds in today’s world. Violence and disasters at times surround us and make us feel even more vulnerable than we already do as parents to our special children. It seems like wherever you turn, you read or hear something about chaos in the world. Like most parents, I send…
“All of my life I have been bullied.” Luke Jackson, Freaks, Geeks, and Asperger Syndrome Luke speaks for thousands of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who experience bullying and harassment in schools. Once a silent epidemic endured by countless children daily, bullying in schools is now being recognized as a public health concern. How…
Individuals with an autism spectrum disorder or other cognitive disability could potentially face any number of emergency situations in which they will come in contact with police, EMTs, firefighters, or other first responders. Many of them have not had any training in the signs, symptoms, and special handling of these individuals. As such, parents need…
