OAR’s mission is to apply research to the challenges of autism.

We strive to use science to address the social, educational, and treatment concerns of autistic people, parents, autism professionals, and caregivers. The mission of “applying” research to answer questions of daily concern to autistic people and those around them defines our goals and program objectives and shapes our budget.

In addition to funding research, our mission includes the requirements to:

• Disseminate new and useful information to as many members of the autism community as possible, and
• Direct all research and programs initiatives toward enhancing the quality of life for autistic individuals and the families that give them love and support.

If you are wondering what we mean by applied research, we define it as research that directly impacts the day-to-day quality of life of autistic people. It entails the systematic investigation of variables associated with positive outcomes in such areas as education, communication, self-care, social skills, employment, behavior, and adult and community living. In this context, it extends to issues related to family support, the efficacy of service delivery systems, and demographic analyses of the autism community.