News and Knowledge

OAR is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2020 Graduate Research Grants. The program awards up to $1,000 to master’s students and $2,000 to those in doctoral programs to conduct research related to autism. This year, OAR is awarding 12 grants totaling $18,186, including two international grants. These new grants add up to more than $288,150 awarded to fund 161 graduate research studies since 2004.

“The OAR Graduate Grant Program is, for me, one of our most exciting programs,” notes Peter Gerhardt, Ed.D., chair of OAR’s Scientific Council. “OAR’s ability to support new researchers at the start of their careers is a win for them, for the autism community, and for OAR itself. This year is no exception. I am very much looking forward to following the careers and future research of the OAR 2020 graduate research grantees.”

OAR received 45 study proposals this year. Members of the OAR Scientific Council, a group of 20 autism professionals from a variety of fields and backgrounds, reviewed and scored each proposal. Their evaluations were based on three key criteria:

• Alignment with OAR’s research priorities
• Methodological soundness
• Relevance of potential findings for those affected by autism 

In keeping with OAR’s dedication to high quality research, only the best of the best were selected for funding.

Congratulations to the 2020 grant recipients:

• Chelsea Anderson, University of North Texas
  The Role of Attention in Speech-in-Noise Processing in Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Megan Carpenter, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
  Inclusion of Elementary Students with ASD in Check-In/Check-Out
• Natalie Croteau, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
  A Comparison of Caregiver or Mediator Implementation to Teach Both Urination and Bowel Movement Skills
• Williams Espericueta Luna, University of North Texas
  A Systematic Evaluation of ShoeBox Audiometry as Method for Audiometric Assessment of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Mary Alice Keller, Vanderbilt University
  What Do Children with Minimally Verbal Autism (MVA) Understand? Developing a Practical, Feasible, and Valid Observational Assessment of Receptive Language for Children with MVA
• Marie Kirkpatrick, Baylor University
  Self-Instructed Video Activity Schedules to Support Academic Learning for Students with ASD During Small Group Activities
• Qing Liu, University of Hong Kong
  The Effects of A Self-Directed Telehealth Parent Training Program for Children Newly Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders in China
• Meka McCammon, University of South Carolina
  An Evaluation of Video Modeling on Teacher Fidelity of Mand Training Across Mand Topographies
• Giovanna Salvatore, Rowan University
  Destructive Behavior and Restraint Use in Hospital Settings for Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Stephanie St. Joseph, University of Oregon
  Modifying Manualized CBT [cognitive behavioral therapy] to Treat Anxiety for Students with ASD in the School Setting
• Carlien Vorster, University of Pretoria
  A Cultural Adaptation, Northern Sotho Translation, and Evaluation of the M-CHAT-R/F [Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers-Revised with Follow-up]
• Xihan Yang, Tufts University
  Comparing SRE [Sexuality and Relationship Education] in Two Formats for Adolescents with ASD

For inquiries regarding the Graduate Research Grant Program or for more information on the 2020 funding cycle, please call OAR at 703-243-3466 or e-mail research@researchautism.org.