News and Knowledge

OAR, in partnership with the Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health (AIR-P), is pleased to announce the winners of the inaugural Community Grant Competition. This year, we are pleased to award $34,650 to support four winners out of 37 submissions. The community leaders who received funding will use it to develop and distribute resources that aim to improve the health and quality of life of autistic individuals. Each of the Community Grant recipients will receive a one-time grant that ranges between $1,000 and $10,000.

Congratulations to this year’s Community Grant recipients!

Melissa Houser, M.D.
Developing a Plain-Language Tool for Autistic Adults’ Autoimmune Health
All Brains Belong VT, Montpelier, Vt.

Dr. Houser, an autistic physician with a primary care practice that serves many neurodivergent patients, will lead this project to develop an online accessibility health screening tool for autistic adults and a best practices guide for their primary care providers. This tool will empower autistic people to effectively communicate their health conditions and needs to their healthcare providers and educate healthcare providers on best practices for managing the complex medical conditions commonly experienced by autistic patients.

Victoria P. Morgan, LCSW
Sex in DCity
I Aspire to be Me (I.A.M.), LLC, Washington, D.C.

Morgan, the chief executive officer of I.A.M., will lead a team in creating an educational program for autistic adults ages 18 and over to help them learn about healthy sexual relationships. I.A.M. will also build an online social community for autistic adults to interact and continue to learn how to develop healthy relationships.

Denise D. Resnik
Beyond Giggle & Google: Conversations About Relationships and Sexuality
First Place AZ, Phoenix, Ariz.

Resnik, First Place AZ founder and CEO, will lead her project team to develop facilitation guides that aim to improve the physical health and wellness of autistic individuals. The content will supplement First Place’s 360 Health & Wellness curriculum and cover critical topics related to healthy relationships and sexuality. The guides will use visual supports, social narratives, and discussion topics to engage participants.

Rebecca Rienzi
Your Next Patient Has Autism, Are You Prepared?
Pathfinders for Autism, Hunt Valley, Md.

Staff from Pathfinders for Autism, along with members of its Autism Self-Advocate Advisory Committee, will work together to produce a brochure that aims to educate healthcare professionals about autism. Through the development and distribution of this resource, their goals are to increase understanding of autism and facilitate successful interactions and communications between healthcare professionals and their autistic patients.

OAR extends its gratitude to AIR-P for co-sponsoring the program. Applications for next year’s competition will open on October 14, 2022. For questions or comments, please contact Vivian Muhumuza, grants and programs associate, at 571-977-5391 or e-mail programs @ researchautism.org.