Autism Employment Success Story MEET KELLI Kelli Fisher Marketing & Development Specialist/Social Media Manager Spectrum Design Spectrum Designs CEO Patrick Bardsley and Kelli Fisher were guests on The Kelly Clarkson Show “Never give up—what’s meant to happen will happen. Always stay true to yourself. If an employer won’t hire you because of your autism, that […]
autism employment
Autism Works: Michael’s Story
Autism Employment Success Story MEET MICHAEL Michael Vatalare Assistant Production Manager Popcorn for the People “Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. There is bound to be a place where you belong.” Michael works at Popcorn for the People (NEXT for AUTISM grantee), a social enterprise model dedicated to creating meaningful and lasting jobs […]
Autism Works: Solmaris’ Story
Autism Employment Success Story MEET SOLMARIS Solmaris Santiago Graduate, Urban Autism Solutions* program Retail Associate, Ross Dress for Less “When possible, if it’s doable, find the right community to help you.” Solmaris is an autistic adult who graduated from Urban Autism Solutions’ Transition Academy. She found a job she loves and excels at in retail. […]
Autism Works: Bridgette’s Story
Autism Employment Success Story MEET BRIDGETTE Bridgette Hamstead, MS (She/Her) Activist of the Year; UN Panelist Neurodiversity Consultant Founder/Executive Director, Fish in a Tree (NEXT Grantee!) “For other autistic individuals pursuing business ownership, my advice is to embrace your neurodivergence as a strength rather than a limitation. Our deep focus, pattern recognition, creativity, and unique […]
NEXT IMPACT: The Arc Westchester–Project Search
A NEXT for AUTISM Grantee Spotlight 2022 NEXT for AUTISM Grantee: The Arc Westchester (Project SEARCH) Organization Type: Community Grant Categorie(s): Work WHO THEY ARE The Arc Westchester was founded in 1949 by parents who saw a need for a family-led organization to provide services embedded in the community. Today they provide innovative support to […]
How to Determine if a Company is Inclusive and Welcoming to Employees on the Spectrum, by Lauren Todd Steinbacher, Director, Strategic Workforce Initiatives, NEXT for AUTISM
The number one question autistic job seekers and their allies ask me is how to find out if a company is inclusive and welcoming to employees on the spectrum. A few strategies to help determine a company’s inclusive culture include: 1. Do a web search with the following keywords, “company name and autism.” Does anything […]
Organizational and Individual Change: The Road to Inclusion
Organizational and Individual Change: The Road to Inclusion By: Brad Walker and John Bryson, MS Ed, CESP As featured on Autism Spectrum News People with disabilities face many documented barriers to full inclusion in society. According to Article 3 of The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, one of the primary […]
Changing the Paradigm for How Adults with Autism Thrive
April 2, 2021 This last year has been a remarkable and challenging year for everyone. We have all experienced incalculable loss — of life, of opportunity, and of our daily patterns of living. For the community NEXT for AUTISM proudly serves, the isolation brought on by COVID-19 restrictions has only magnified the many disparities that […]
Women and Autism: Facts and Figures
March is Women’s History Month, and to celebrate and acknowledge the women in our community, we have been sharing facts about women and autism throughout the month. Did you know? Autism is 4 times more common in boys than girls, and women are diagnosed with autism later in life and less frequently than men. There […]
What’s next for NEXT for AUTISM?
Did you know there are 5.4 million adults living with autism in the United States? While the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has been collecting data and releasing information about the prevalence of autism in children for decades, 2020 marks the first time the CDC has reported on adults. If the past is prelude, availability […]
Forbes article, The State Of Autism Employment In 2021, mentions NEXT for AUTISM’s employment work.
The “forbes” released this article on 01/12/2021. See the original article here.
Freddie Mac’s Neurodiversity Hiring Commitment
Freddie Mac’s Neurodiversity Hiring Commitment NEXT for AUTISM’s employment consulting client Freddie Mac has been at the forefront of neurodiversity hiring. Within five years of operating their Autism Internship Program, the company hired 9 out of 18 interns. Now Freddie Mac has rebranded and transitioned their program to a full-time model to establish a permanent […]
Neurodiversity Hiring – A Driving Force at Cintas
Neurodiversity Hiring – A Driving Force at Cintas By: Randy Siegel Working with NEXT for AUTISM’s employment consulting practice, Cintas has solidified its leadership in neurodiversity hiring within the commercial services industry. It operates nearly 500 facilities in North America, manufacturing and distributing corporate identity uniforms, mats, restroom supplies, and safety protection products to over […]
Natural Supports in the Workplace
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The Gen-Z Autism Talent Pool
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Workplace Accommodations for Employees with Disabilities
In our work with companies to create sustainable and scalable talent acquisition programs for individuals with disabilities, we field questions about accommodations that expose a persistent lack of clarity. Here is a quick FAQ to help answer some of those questions. How do I know when to provide an accommodation? The employee will request an […]
Supporting Adults in Medical Situations
SUPPORTING ADULTS IN MEDICAL SITUATIONS By Brad Walker, V.P., Community Living Supports Families with adult children on the spectrum face an additional layer of concern during the COVID-19 crisis. How should they prepare for medical emergencies for their adult children, many of whom may not be able to effectively advocate for themselves? What supports can […]
COVID-19 Isolation with the Carleys: How a Dad on the Spectrum Copes
By Michael John Carley, Autism Self-Advocate & NEXT for AUTISM Board Member There was tempered joy upon seeing my 23-year-old, who is also on the spectrum, exit the station. On one hand, C.C. was with us, his family, to ride out the coronavirus in less-impacted Wisconsin, joining Kathryn, myself, and his 14-year old brother. We […]
How To Attend Online Meetings
By: John Bryson, MS Ed, CESP | Senior Manager, Corporate Consulting BEFORE THE MEETING Prepare Environment Choose a quiet place with good lighting for your online meeting. Do not sit with your back to a window, and make sure there is light on your face. If possible, avoid places with background noises such as TVs […]
How To Structure Your Day
Working from home presents challenges that can be overcome with structure and scheduling. NEXT for AUTISM, using evidence-based practice, suggests the following tips for all employees, especially those with autism. Establish a Routine Start and stop at the same time every day Dress according to your company’s dress code Set up a regular work area […]
Adjusting to the New Normal
ADJUSTING TO THE NEW NORMAL Like everyone else, the team at Project SEARCH Autism Enhancement (PSAE) had to respond rapidly to the forced shut down due to the COVID-19 crisis – and they did, achieving a smooth transfer to remote learning for each intern and resuming the program’s regular schedule, five days a week. While […]
Tips for Supporting Employees with Autism & Other Disabilities During Stressful Times
For employees who are neurodiverse, the current state of uncertainty can be amplified by their social and communication challenges. NEXT for AUTISM offers these strategies to managers and colleagues, as well as the general public, who can play a role in helping people with special needs during this time. How to Communicate With Your Employee […]
The Case for Meaningful Work
https://nextforautism.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Copy-of-The-Case-for-Meaningful-Work-600×428.png by John Bryson, M.S.E, Sr. Manager, Corporate Employment Consulting, NEXT for AUTISM I’m often asked why I work in disability employment helping young people with autism and other disabilities prepare for and find meaningful work. My answer is always the same. I’m motivated by a case that lit a fire in me. Its senselessness […]
The Women of PSAE Get to Work!
https://nextforautism.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Screen-Shot-2019-09-03-at-4.49.42-PM-600×399.png By: Alison Bush, M.S., BCBA Meet Shannon. She’s one of two women who graduated in 2019 from our Project SEARCH Autism Enhancement internship and employment program or PSAE. Shannon was driven to land a meaningful job after the hard work that she’d put into the training program, and she did. She’s thrilled to be […]
Embracing the Amazing
On a recent afternoon, representatives from Queens Public School 219 brightened our day with an uplifting story about their school’s campaign to celebrate diverse abilities, “Embracing the Amazing.” The K-8 school in Flushing, Queens enrolls 700 students, twenty-seven percent of whom are on the autism spectrum. During the month-long celebration, children in the lower school […]
The Coming Care Crisis as Kids With Autism Grow Up
The personal challenges and systemic barriers faced by adults with autism and their families are, indeed, as profound as outlined in The Atlantic article below. Life for adults with autism can be devoid of opportunity and hope. For parents, navigating a confusing system of support and facing an uncertain future are sources of unrelenting anguish, […]
2018 A Year of Empowerment
We empowered people with autism to thrive at work, at home, and in our communities with new programs and services. READ OUR ANNUAL REVIEW HERE
Video: What’s Next for Autism?
What’s Next for Autism? Meet Tamar, a recent graduate of our employment training program, as she embarks on a hopeful start at her first job. Laura Slatkin and Ilene Lainer provide impassioned interviews on NEXT for AUTISM’s vision for programs that support young adults like Tamar. Dr. Jeremy Veenstra-Vanderweele of the Center for Autism and […]
Good Work That’s Good For Business
Good Work That’s Good For Business Photo courtesy of CINTAS Corporation In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month this October 2018, we offer this story about the progress corporations are making to diversify the workforce and include people with autism and other developmental disabilities. With the expertise of disability consultants at ADVICE, and support […]
PS-AE: 9 Interns, 9 Graduates, 9 Jobs
Project SEARCH Autism Enhancement Graduation 2018! As the 2019 class of employment training interns begins this fall at Project SEARCH Autism Enhancement, we thought everyone would enjoy this video of the previous year’s graduation. Note the pride as these graduates share their accomplishments. We, too, are proud. 9 Interns, 9 Graduates, 9 Jobs. Here’s to […]
Happy Grads Celebrate Dads
June is the month to celebrate graduates and honor fathers. This month, NEXT for AUTISM is celebrating a group of bright, young adults who are graduating from our Project SEARCH Autism Enhancement employment training program at NY-Presbyterian Hospital in White Plains. After ten months of job skills training and internships, our graduates are setting off […]
“I Want to Keep You Every Day”
Launching a child into adulthood is, by all standards of motherhood, an endeavor of balance. It requires both faith in your child’s ability to be independent and confidence that she will circle back to you for support and love. For a mother of a child with autism, gaining interdependence with your child can be elusive, […]
Working Toward Adulthood
As Autism Awareness Month draws to a close, we at NEXT for AUTISM would like to highlight a key focus of our work – advancing the future for adults with autism by creating more opportunities for them. Our work addresses every life stage of individuals with autism and their families, so designing and building model […]
An Employer’s Perspective
Guest Blog Post by Keedra Cotton, Pre-Analytical Supervisor at Quest Diagnostics in Tucker, GA. What I Learned From Managing People With Autism Spectrum Disorder Jordan dreamed of finding a career that would allow her to excel using her skills and talents. Though her dream is one that she shares with many, Jordan is a person […]
Night of Too Many Stars Grantee Spotlight: Spectrum Designs
We first worked with Spectrum Designs, the maker of customized apparel, totes and hats made by young people with autism in 2012. A small company with a big heart and expansive ambitions, Spectrum Designs is a success story still unfolding. Beyond producing merchandise for regional and autism-specific organizations, the firm recently signed with national and global […]
Celebrating Community Connections
Only a few weeks left in April! NYCA is celebrating people on the autism spectrum and the communities that embrace them. Join us by sharing our posts and your own stories using #NYCACommunityConnections
Celebrating Community Connections
NYCA continues to celebrate people on the autism spectrum and the communities that embrace them. Comment and tell us what you’ve learned from a friend, family or community member on the autism spectrum using hashtag #NYCACommunityConnections
Project SEARCH Collaborates for Autism Class of 2013
10 Years, 10 Triumphs Triumph 4: Project SEARCH Collaborates for Autism Last week, The Project SEARCH Collaborates for Autism (PSCA) Class of 2013 graduated from NYCA’s program that not only teaches them the skills to leave high school and find a job but gives their family hope for the future. Starting PSCA in 2011 was one of NYCA’s biggest […]
