OAR Programs and Resources

OAR’s programs revolve around funding new research and disseminating evidence-based information as resources that translate the technical into layman’s terms for the non-scientific consumer. OAR’s resource materials are accessible for free via OAR’s Web site, www.researchautism.org. Hard copy publications and media are offered at a minimal cost.

The current programs are:

- Applied Research Competition: awards research grants of $30,000 annually based on scientific merit and practical value of expected outcomes.

- 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.

- 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.

- Autism Information Program:

  • Life Journey through Autism series, five reader-friendly resource guides on research, assessment, education, and life transitions for parents, teachers, and service providers. (*Available in Spanish)
    • A Parent’s Guide to Research*
    • A Parent’s Guide to Assessment
    • A Guide for Transition to Adulthood*
    • An Educator’s Guide to Autism*
    • An Educator’s Guide to Asperger Syndrome*
    • The Best of The OARacle
    • OAR Publications CD – All of the above publications, including those in Spanish
  • DVD: Understanding Asperger Syndrome: A Professor’s Guide. new in 2008, the first in 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.
  • The OARacle, monthly e-newsletter: news on current research, useful resources, and autism community news of interest.
  • ResearchAutism.org: a resource with targeted information for Family & Friends, Educators & Service Providers, and Professionals and a unique Research and Resources Directory.
  • Schwallie Family Scholarship Program: college and post-secondary vocational/technical training scholarships for persons with autism awarded via annual competition.
  • Latino Outreach Program: an initiative to culturally adapt and provide OAR’s autism resources to the Latino community employing Spanish resource materials and training for Promotoras.