On March 3, a group of autism researchers and advocates announced the creation of an independent advisory body to help guide autism research priorities, according to Reuters. The group held its first meeting on March 19, which was also when the federally mandated Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) would have met, had the meeting not…
In March, six RUN FOR AUTISM runners who made up the first Tokyo Marathon team raised over $33,000. All longtime OAR supporters, they were among over 38,000 athletes who completed the race. “Tokyo was an incredible experience and opportunity! To be able to represent OAR on the international stage is such a privilege and honor,”…
Congratulations to the recipients of the Fall 2025 Synchrony Tech Scholarship—Micah Nelson, Joshua Krzemien, Gerard Salazar, and Maximilian Marzec! This scholarship supports autistic adults pursuing technology-related courses or training to advance their careers. Scholarship award amounts depend on the technology-related course or program, ranging from $500 to $5,000. In 2025, more than $30,000 was awarded…
OAR wants to better understand the needs that matter most to the autistic community, and we invite autistic adults to help shape that work. To support this effort, we have developed a community needs assessment survey to gather insight into the dynamic needs of the autistic community. The survey explores key areas of life, including…
Join us this April as we come together to build a stronger, more inclusive community where autistic individuals can thrive. Goal 1: Provide informational resources to the autism community. OAR offers a wide range of free informational resources for the autism community. On our website, you’ll find resources for parents, self-advocates, siblings, educators, health professionals,…
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…
There is a common misconception among ableists that adults with autism are “lazy.” In fact, autistic employees have many traits that make us attractive to employers. Yet the unemployment rate for autistic adults is high, ranging from 40% to 85%. My periods of unemployment were tough for me and my family. The rejection letters and…
In October 2025, OAR’s Board of Directors authorized funding for eight applied autism research grants. These new research grants, totaling $397,372, bring OAR’s total research funding to $5.8 million since 2002. This article is the fourth of the previews in The OARacle this year. Autistic individuals in the United States are roughly four times more…
Recently, the intersection of autism and poetry has been in the spotlight. Last year, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated that those with autism will “never write a poem.” As an autistic poet, I disagree! Not only can autistic people create great poetry, I believe poetry comes naturally to us. According to Britannica, “Poetry…
