Autism Speaks

"If you work for a company that hasn’t tapped into our community, tell them why it’s important. The majority of autistic adults are still unemployed or underemployed today. Speak to your company’s Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) or Human Resources (HR) and explain more about this community and if there are any opportunities. Bring in speakers like myself for professional development or consider sending them resources like the Autism Speaks Employment Tool Kit, which provides a guide toward education on this topic." https://okt.to/rUQwW6

In this episode of Autism On The Street, our host GW took to the bustling streets of Chicago to engage with locals and gather their thoughts on autism in the workplace. By asking everyday people about their perceptions, knowledge, and experiences with autistic individuals in professional settings, GW shines a light on both the progress society has made and the challenges that still exist when it comes to inclusivity in employment. At Autism Speaks, we're committed to expanding employment opportunities for autistic individuals. Our WIN training courses for employers are designed to support this mission and foster inclusive workplaces. https://lnkd.in/gNutYQmt

Developed by autistic adults, this guide addresses what comes next if: You are an adult currently seeking a diagnosis or were recently diagnosed with autism. - You are an adult who recognizes you have autistic traits but are unsure what to do. - You were seeking counseling or support for something else as an adult, and the clinician brought up autism. - You recently found out that you were diagnosed with autism in childhood, but your parents/guardians did not disclose that to you. - Your child was diagnosed and/or is being evaluated and you wonder about yourself. - You are someone who loves or supports someone who fits one of the above. https://okt.to/05CQfj

Savor by Suzie creates a welcoming space for neurodivergent employees, inspired by Suzie’s daughter, Kelly, diagnosed with autism in 2000. After Kelly's struggles in traditional workplaces, they built a company that values everyone’s strengths. From creative packaging to delicious baking, inclusion is at the heart of what they do. We're proud to partner with them and offer our WIN training courses to support employers hiring autistic individuals. At Autism Speaks, we're committed to expanding employment opportunities for autistic individuals. Our WIN training courses for employers are designed to support this mission and foster inclusive workplaces. https://lnkd.in/gNutYQmt

The challenges facing the autism community are as complex as they are urgent. From creating inclusive workplaces to ensuring equitable access to healthcare and education, we know these issues can’t be tackled alone. We need the entire community—autistic people, their families, caregivers, businesses, and allies—to come together with a bold vision and a fearless commitment to action. That’s why Autism Speaks is launching the Empower Summit & Challenge in Spring 2025, debuting in five cities: Chicago, Columbus, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and Miami. We hope to see you there! https://lnkd.in/g3Z4fFjF

This month, Autism Speaks’ very own Jeff Rickel was featured in Exceptional Parent Magazine! Read along Jeff shares the impact of getting an autism diagnosis on his mental health, the challenges that he is experiencing with his physical health as he gets older, and the complexity of planning for his son Jonathan’s future. Read the full story in Exceptional Parent Magazine. https://okt.to/FQwlED

What do people really know about autism in 2024? Do we still need awareness? That’s what we set out to discover in our brand-new series, Autism On The Street, hosted by the one and only autistic self-advocate, GW. We are so excited to share our first episode! 🎉 Watch, laugh, learn, and don’t forget to hit up the comments—we want to hear all your hot takes! Well, maybe, not all of them ;)

Our very own Christa Stevens, JD, MAT, Director of State Government Affairs at Autism Speaks, was featured on Scripps News to explain the importance of renewing the Autism CARES Act for her family and the wider autism community.     “I have a [19-year-old] daughter [with] autism. Her condition is quite severe and restricts her engagement with the world in a lot of ways. Most importantly, she doesn’t have an awareness of safety or the communication style you need in order to take care of yourself and be independent. This legislation is so important because it directs research towards individuals like my daughter, those with communication challenges that are significant.”    As we approach the September 30th deadline to reauthorize the Act, please visit autismspeaks.org/advocate to inform your senator on the importance of renewing this legislation. 

This Hispanic Heritage Month, Autism Speaks’ Tony Hernandez Pumarejo shares with Coffee With America his journey with autism, diagnosis disparities that exist among diverse groups and how our organization is supporting those in Hispanic communities reach their full potential. Watch the interview to learn how Autism Speaks is helping to drive understanding and acceptance of autism everyday. https://lnkd.in/gvU9cG_W

The US House of Representatives JUST passed the Autism CARES Act of 2024 – the most critical legislation for the autism community. Thanks to your support, this historic legislation is one step closer to becoming law…now, on to the Senate! https://okt.to/NLzTqK