Organization for Autism Research

OAR’s mission is to apply research to the challenges of autism. This implies three primary tasks: (1) fund research and (2) provide useful, evidence-based information to the autism community, and (3) educate parents and professionals on best practices in autism treatment and methods for translating research to practice.

Research

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Pilot studies are vital “stepping stones” for researchers that allow them to test hypotheses and collect data that set the stage for larger, follow-up research studies funded by the federal government or larger foundations.  OAR funds pilot studies and targeted research that address issues across the life span including: Early Diagnosis, Early Intervention, Family, Adolescents & Adults, Social Behavior, Effective Instruction, Asperger Syndrome, Adult Employment, Joint Attention, and Communication. OAR’s focus is primarily on studies whose outcomes offer new insights into the behavioral and social development of individuals with autism across the lifespan with an emphasis on socialization, communication, education, and vocational challenges.  Since 2002, OAR has awarded more than $1.7 million in research grants.  With grants to be made this year, OAR’s total funding will approach $2 million.  OAR’s current research initiatives include:

• Applied Research Competition – awards research grants of $30,000 to $60,000 annually based on scientific merit and practical value of expected outcomes,
• Autism Research Convocation – a biennial forum that focuses on a specific, priority topic and produces a Proceedings and a 10-year research plan,
• Graduate Research Grants Program – awards grants to graduate and post-doctoral students to encourage careers in autism research

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Information

Autism is a complex disorder that manifests itself differently virtually from one child to the next.  With the advent of the Information Age, parents and professionals alike have access to a lot of unfiltered and often unresearched information about autism and autism treatment.  OAR sees providing evidence-based information part of its mission and accomplishes this through OAR’s:

• Autism Information Program:

  o       Life Journey through Autism series – five reader-friendly resource guides on research, assessment, education, and life transitions for parents, teachers, and service providers,

  o       The OARacle, monthly e-newsletter – news on current research, useful resources, and autism community news of interest,

  o       Web site – a resource with targeted information for Family & Friends, Educators & Service Providers, and Professionals and a unique Research and Resources Directory

  • Latino Outreach Program – an initiative to culturally adapt and provide OAR’s autism resources to the Latino community
  • An Autism Guide for Military Families.  To be published in 2009, a web-based resource for broad access and reference and a hard copy publication in the Life Journey through Autism Series as a personal tool for individual families.
     

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  Keeping pace with advances in autism research and intervention and understanding how to practically apply findings drawn from research are a continuing challenge and necessity for all stakeholders in the autism community.  OAR addresses this need head-on through its annual conference, direct role in other educational seminars, and programs to enhance the quality of life and further the success of persons with autism in all academic settings.

  • Applied Autism Research and Intervention Conference – annual update on the “State of the Science” in autism research and evidence-based practice presented in layman’s terms,
  • Schwallie Family Scholarship Program – new in 2007, a merit based scholarship program that offers scholarships for three persons with autism pursuing post-secondary education at a two or four-year college or trade school.
  • Asperger Syndrome Adult Initiative – new in 2008, a series of informational DVD’s designed to be used by college students with Asperger Syndrome to educate professors and resident assistants about the disorder and the supports that will help a college student with Asperger Syndrome succeed in the classroom and in life on campus. 

   

  Vision.  OAR’s vision is to be the leader in using science-based research to provide practical answers, alternatives, and solutions to the autism community.  This vision expresses a future in which OAR leads the way in funding applied autism research.  It establishes OAR’s intent to see steady growth in fundraising, provide sustained support for applied autism research, and continue to seek the best ways to use scientific methods and results to inform and educate all the stakeholders in the autism community.  Most of all, OAR’s vision is for a future where the collaborative efforts of many good organizations including OAR leads to a global understanding of autism that emphasizes abilities and possibilities over disability.