OAR's Top 10 Accomplishments
On December 13, 2001, the Organization for Autism Research was founded. Its seven founding members’ foremost interest was to help families by funding research that would focus on the challenges of living with autism and offer practical information about treatment and intervention. At the beginning they had no idea where OAR’s path might lead. It did not take long, however, for them to put a plan into action. Today, as OAR celebrates its ninth birthday, the record as represented by the list of OAR’s Top 10 Accomplishments below speaks for itself. This is based on an informal poll of members of OAR’s Board of Directors, Scientific Council and staff. How would you rank these programs and activities?
# |
Program |
Year Begun/History |
$$$ |
1 |
Applied Research Competition |
2002. OAR has funded 59 research studies through this annual, open, merit-based competition that draws national and international interest. |
$2.1 M |
2 |
Life Journey through Autism Series |
2002. The series has six guides: 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, and A Guide for Military Families. |
$95,000 |
3 |
OAR’s Web site, www.researchautism.org |
2002. The Web site offers free, 24/7 access to resources to include all or OAR’s publications, newsletters, and visual media. |
$50,000 |
4 |
RUN FOR AUTISM |
2003. This charity running program has since seen almost 3,600 runners in races across the U.S. The RUN FOR AUTISM has raised more than $3.2 M for autism research. |
$3.2 M |
5 |
Graduate Research Grants Program |
2003. OAR has awarded 59 grants totaling $108,000 to master’s and doctoral candidates conducting research related to autism . |
$108,000 |
6 |
Operation Autism www.operationautismonline.org, and A Guide for Military Families |
2009. This initiative produced a Web site and a companion resource guide being distributed to families around the world. |
$60,000 |
7 |
The OARacle |
2002. This monthly e-newsletter provides articles on research, resources, salutes to people and organizations making a difference, and information about OAR. |
$90,000 |
8 |
Annual Conference |
2003. A two-day “State of the Science” in applied autism research held annually. |
$375,000 |
9 |
Schwallie Family Scholarship Program |
2007. OAR has awarded 33 scholarships to young men and women with autism pursuing post-secondary education. |
$109,500 |
10 |
Understanding Asperger Syndrome: A Professors' Guide
|
2008. A 15-minute DVD designed to help students with autism attending college inform their professors about Asperger Syndrome |
$15,000 |
|
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