On September 25, OAR hosted OAR Impact Day: From Research to Reality to bring together autistic individuals, families, researchers, and direct service providers and celebrate the meaningful impact research has on the autism community. The virtual event showcased the many ways OAR’s funded research has translated into practical tools, interventions, and programs.
The archived event materials are available to access for free on OAR’s website so anyone can share their favorite presentations with others or catch up on ones they missed.
Of the 649 people registered for the event, 169 participants joined from 30 countries and 40 states across the United States. Over the course of the day, attendees heard from research experts covering a wide range of topics, from social communication and executive functioning skills to physical and mental health. Ninety-six percent of survey responders indicated that the content was helpful and relevant to their needs, and at least 83% said they would apply what they learned to their everyday practice.
The success of Impact Day reflects OAR’s ongoing efforts to connect research with real-world application and amplify the voices of those most directly impacted by autism. A parent who attended the event from Sunnyvale, CA, said, “I am a yearly donor and have an adult son on the autism spectrum, so all topics [presented today were] of interest to our family.”
A professor from Towson University shared that “All the speakers were wonderful and inspiring. Presentations were just the right length, with room for questions. It was great and I will recommend future webinars to families.”
Another attendee, who is a researcher and provider at the Kennedy Kreiger Institute, was inspired to take action, having learned that OAR is a “great organization! I hope to get more involved in what you are doing and support the work.”
“OAR Impact Day was an opportunity to show how even small pilot research studies can translate into positive, real-world outcomes for the autism community,” said Kristen Essex, OAR’s executive director. “It reinforces our commitment to using science to address the everyday needs of families. We’re grateful to everyone who contributes to that mission for making the event such a success.”
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