Organization for Autism Research

The Organization for Autism Research was formed by parents and grandparents of children and adults with autism in December 2001. Recognizing that autism affects over 2.6 million individuals in the United States alone, these founding Board members wanted to create a research foundation that would focus on practical research for the generation of people living with autism today. OAR, born of this vision, seeks to use applied research to help with the challenges parents, families, individuals with autism, teachers and caregivers confront every day.

With this mission always in mind, OAR stimulates and funds research that offers practical insight and outcomes related to autism treatment, education, and research, and also provides the autism community with resources and information programs based on this applied research. In its first 11 years, OAR has awarded more than $2.8 million in grants, funding 154 applied research pilot studies and graduate studies related to autism.

OAR has also published seven community-friendly resource guides in its Life Journey through Autism guide series: A Parent's Guide to Research, An Educator's Guide to Autism, An Educator's Guide to Asperger Syndrome, A Guide for Transition to Adulthood, A Parent's Guide to Assessment, A Guide for Military Families, and Navigating the Special Education System..