Autism Speaks

“A portion of all sales at Chevere go to raising money for the autistic community and raising awareness, but it’s in my nature to do more. My son has been lucky to have a strong support system behind him since he was diagnosed, but how many kids don’t have that? I try to give back in whatever way I can, whether that has been with money or my time or simply a recommendation to a family in need.” https://okt.to/IYN7D3

Transitioning out of school-based services to adult life is a big change and can be especially overwhelming for an autistic person and their family. Fortunately, transition planning is federally required for all students who have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). This resource is meant to help autistic students and their parents/caregivers create and review an IEP Transition Plan. It includes a section for each of the following: - Employment - Postsecondary education - Community living and integration https://okt.to/6jZHDS

Did You Know? Last year, for the first time, autism prevalence was higher among Hispanic children (3.2%) than among white children (2.4%). Despite the increase in prevalence, autism is still often misunderstood or stigmatized in Hispanic communities. Many people believe that autism is the result of bad parenting, leading to shame or fear seeking a diagnosis. Many Hispanic families in the U.S. who speak limited or no English also face language barriers, making it more difficult to access autism services or care. To close this gap, Autism Speaks is committed to providing resources and supports in Spanish. View our library of Spanish resources at https://lnkd.in/gbkzswfB

"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 ;)