OAR recently celebrated its 23rd anniversary. At 23, most of us were likely still figuring out who we were and what we wanted to do with our lives. However, OAR’s 23 years represent an incredible body of work: over two decades of funding research and providing free, high-quality resources to the autism community. As many of you likely know, we began in 2001 as an organization whose focus was on supporting parents as they navigated their journey with an autistic child. This focus led to foundational resources like our Life Journey through Autism series, which have become trusted tools for families.
Over the years we have expanded our reach, funding more than $5 million in new autism research, creating resources for educators, supporting students through schoolhouse initiatives, and fostering stronger sibling bonds with targeted support. These efforts reflect our deep commitment to helping families across all stages of their autism journey.
But as the autism community has grown and evolved, so has OAR. In recent years, we have expanded that focus to include more of the autistic community with resources such as Sex Ed for Self-Advocates and Hire Autism. Just last year we officially launched our new Self-Advocate Advisory Council (SAAC), which more directly connects OAR to the needs and opinions of the autistic community. Our inaugural SAAC meetings have consisted of rich, candid discussions regarding the needs of the autistic community and how OAR may better address them. We are extremely excited about meaningfully engaging with our SAAC members and the autistic community to provide even more resources that target the true needs of the community.
As we reflect on our journey, one question always propels us forward: What’s next? In 2025, we are committed to deepening our support for all facets of the autism community. We have and will continue to approach this support in many ways. From looking to the community to help create resources to fill specific needs as we do with the community grant competition to providing access to in-demand texts related to autism or by autistic authors in our Libby lending library, we seek to constantly innovate how we produce and deliver quality information.
In 2025 we look forward to:
- Supporting the dissemination of information on the needs and support of those with profound autism as sponsors of the Profound Autism Summit in April
- Collaborating with SAAC to create an accessibility checklist that will guide OAR in becoming more inclusive of autistic adults
- Launching a healthcare toolkit, in partnership with AASPIRE, aimed at increasing quality healthcare experiences between autistic patients and healthcare providers
- Expanding the Kit for Kids program with resources tailored to different reading levels
- Strengthening our Hire Autism initiative by building partnerships with employers to ensure autistic job seekers find meaningful employment
These projects are just the beginning. OAR’s work extends beyond the resources we publish and the research we fund. Platforms like our website blog and this newsletter allow us to explore emerging topics and engage with you—our readers—on issues that matter most.
Take this month’s focus on autistic parents. Autistic parents bring a unique perspective to the autism community and the parenting journey. Their lived experiences embody the resilience and creativity that define the autism community. While we have yet to tackle this topic in depth through a formal resource guide or toolkit, this newsletter allows us to provide you with more information and stories.
As we embark on this new year, OAR remains steadfast in our mission to apply research to the challenges of autism. This commitment drives all that we do—from funding engaging and informative studies to creating resources that address daily needs. By collaborating with the autism community, we ensure that our efforts are guided by the voices and experiences of those who know these challenges best.
Whether you are a parent, an autism professional, a self-advocate, or another member of the community, you are part of the fabric that shapes OAR’s mission. We look forward to continuing to bridge the gap between research and practical solutions to empower the autism community to thrive. Thank you for being part of this journey and here’s to more years of impact and support.
Kristen Essex is OAR’s executive director, a position she has held since 2023. She came to OAR in 2015 with an extensive professional background that included insurance sales, the restaurant industry, and newspaper and small business management. In her initial role as business manager and later with her 2018 promotion to deputy executive director, she managed OAR’s day-to-day operations, human resources, and finances.
The post OAR Celebrates 23 Years first appeared on Organization for Autism Research.
