# Organization for Autism Research initiatives > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/organization-for-autism-research-initiatives > Updated: 2026-08-03T20:58:43.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2. The Organization for Autism Research (OAR) first highlighted its educational resources for autistic students in Canada, releasing guides for elementary through high‑school levels and a safety guide. A University of Ottawa study of parents of K‑12 autistic children linked lower absenteeism and inclusive class placements to a stronger sense of school belonging, while also noting staffing shortages and communication gaps. Later the same day, OAR announced a new round of U.S. peer‑education grants totaling $31,344 for six programs that will reach nearly 15,000 K‑8 students. The grants, funded by Jewelers for Children, range from $500 to $10,000. OAR also introduced two new staff members to support grant administration and development, signaling an expansion of its outreach and fundraising capacity. Together, these updates show OAR simultaneously advancing research‑informed resources in Canada and scaling peer‑education support and organizational capacity in the United States. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-03: Organization for Autism Research Grants $31,344 to Six Peer Education Projects, Adds New Staff OAR awarded $31,344 to six autism peer‑education projects for 15,000 K‑8 students and hired Cameron Gunter and Alex Michalchuk to strengthen grants and development work. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/organization-for-autism-research-grants-31344-to-six-peer-education-projects-adds-new-staff ### 2026-08-03: Autism Education Resources and Study Highlight School Belonging in Canada OAR provides free autism education guides, while a University of Ottawa study links inclusive placements and reduced absenteeism to higher school belonging among Ontario autistic students. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/autism-education-resources-and-study-highlight-school-belonging-in-canada --- Cite as: Organization for Autism Research initiatives. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/organization-for-autism-research-initiatives