Tom Hughes-Run for Autism 2020

Hey Fam!!!

First and for-most, I would like to thank everyone for their support for the Chicago Marathon. With your help, I passed my fundraising goal with $1,800 benefiting  The Organization for Autism Research (OAR) and Team Run for Autism!! I was humbled by everyones support and inspired to not let any of you down!!!! OAR is an incredible organization that truly provides autism understanding, by providing books, resources and kits for parents, siblings and class rooms about autism and understanding, all free of charge.

Please take advantage of their hard work here: https://researchautism.org/run-for-autism/

That is why, without hesitation I signed up to run my second Marathon with the Run for Autism Team on March 8th, 2020, in Los Angles!!!!! Last year I reached my goal with only peer donations. I was amazed, but understand I cant expect that again. While personal donations are still accepted and greatly appeciated, I will hosting a few events that will help reach fundraising goal, give people an opportunity to learn about autism awareness and understanding and most importantly, have fun doing it!!!!  I have some big plans in the work and will post details and updates soon!!!! From the bottom of my heart, thank you and I love you!!!

Thomas Hughes

MISSION

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 self-advocates, parents, autism professionals, and caregivers. The mission of “applying” research to answer questions of daily concern to those living with autism 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 individuals with autism.

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 learners with autism. 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.

In simplest terms, applied autism research is “practical research that examines issues and challenges that children and adults with autism and their families face everyday.”