Press releases

PARENT’S GUIDE TO RESEARCH NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE

February 10th, 2004

ARLINGTON, VA, — A Parent’s Guide to Research, the first book in the Life Journey through Autism series of resource guides published by the Organization for Autism Research (OAR), is now available, in its entirety, on OAR’s website, www.researchautism.org. First printed in February 2003, the Parent’s Guide has already been distributed, free of charge, to over 1,300 parents, educators and professionals in the autism community. In an attempt to make the guide accessible to an even greater audience, OAR has added a direct link on its webpage to a downloadable PDF version of the Guide. The Adobe Acrobat reader is required to view the Guide, but can be easily downloaded, for free, from the Adobe website.

The Parent’s Guide to Research is a basic resource for parents who are new to the complex process of finding and evaluating autism information. The guide introduces some of the best ways to: find information on autism, distinguish between research-based and non-research-based information, identify and evaluate reputable research studies, and interpret research findings. The Guide also provides a glossary of research terms, a contact list of national autism organizations and resources, as well as a list of recommended reading.

The online guide allows for easy updates, ensuring that the Parent´s Guide will remain a dynamic and timely resource for the autism community. Says OAR Executive Director Mike Maloney, “Putting the Guide online is another milestone in OAR’s Autism Information Program. Even as we do this, OAR is working on an updated version to be released in print form by this time next year.”

The Parent’s Guide will continue to be available, by request, in hardcopy form. Due in large part to a grant from ShopKo Stores, Inc., the Guide will soon go into its second printing and will remain free of charge to parents and educators. To request a hardcopy, email OAR@researchautism.org and include your name and mailing address, or call 703-351-5031. To view the online version, go to OAR’s website, www.researchautism.com and click on the Parent’s Guide to Research icon in the right hand navigational bar.