Support groups are generally peer-led spaces where people can gather together in a group setting to provide and receive support from others. Groups can vary in their focus, but may include an emphasis on providing emotional support, accountability, or skill-building. Support groups differ from group therapy in their scope and focus, although some support groups…
My name is Brendan Hughes. After being perplexed by so many lifelong mysteries, I was recently diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at the age of 35. I was appointed to the Board of Directors for OAR with the goal of raising awareness and proceeds for autism. In publishing this blog post, I seek to…
As the new year begins, it is the perfect time to re-evaluate your goals, reflect upon your current situation, and plan for your future. Sometimes, situations and circumstances, including your job search and employment goals, might change. This article provides you with tips for refreshing and strengthening your job search for the new year. Reinvigorate…
When Whitney* reached out to Assiya Ashraf-Miller, a Hire Autism navigator, it had been several years since she had looked for a new job. Whitney was happy to find the experience insightful and aligned with the current expectations of the job market. When Ashraf-Miller heard from Whitney about her professional achievements and her published writing,…
This fall, we launched an outreach campaign to continue OAR’s goal of supporting the autism community using our Kit for Kids peer education program. We initially set out to teach 30,000 students, and we are pleased to share that we surpassed that target, reaching a total of 41,643 students in grades K-8. Through the Kit…
OAR’s new Self-Advocate Advisory Council (SAAC) will help OAR identify specific needs and quality-of-life factors for the autistic community that OAR can address. This addition of lived experiences is critical to supporting the autistic community. “OAR’s challenge, and that of the autism community as a whole, is learning how best to engage and support autistic…
OAR recently celebrated its 23rd anniversary. At 23, most of us were likely still figuring out who we were and what we wanted to do with our lives. However, OAR’s 23 years represent an incredible body of work: over two decades of funding research and providing free, high-quality resources to the autism community. As many…
Conversations continue to grow about college readiness for autistic students. It is a conversation I am eager to have because higher education choices have never been more widely available. One thing we often do not discuss is that what challenges come with college readiness apply to all learners. College students are underprepared for the college…
As we approach the end of another impactful year and OAR’s 23rd anniversary, we want to take a moment to reflect on what we’ve accomplished together and share some exciting plans for next year. Your support continues to drive OAR’s mission to tackle the real challenges autistic individuals face every day. Whether you’re a donor,…
