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Key Takeaways How do you create programming for individuals with autism in the workplace? ● Partner with organizations and universities ● Provide mentorship opportunities ● One of the greatest ways to learn a subject is to teach a subject - give
young people opportunities to teach one another ● Partner with local businesses to create internship programs for young
people with autism ● Invite speakers and organize events at your company to increase
knowledge about autism
Key Takeaways What are some of the challenges you have experienced in the workplace as an individual with autism? ● Normal is the most dangerous word in the English language. Normal is a
self definition. ● Talk about acting as an individual as opposed to acting “normal” ● Asking a person with autism not to fidget (or engage in some other
individual behavior) is kind of like asking somebody to leave their wheelchair at the door
● Inclusion of individuals with neurodiversity is just as important as inclusion of people with other differences
Key Takeaways What are some situations that you have experienced in the workplace that you wish had been handled differently? What advice do you have for how to prepare for these situations? ● People have asked me why I don’t take a pill that makes me “normal” ● Identify “cognitive seeing eye dogs” … supportive people in the workplace ● You’d think the leaders would be the most supportive, but it’s actually the
younger/support staff who provide the “silent assist” I need.
Key Takeaways How do you build relationships with colleagues who can provide the support you need? ● The more interaction you have with someone, the more helpful they will be ● Find someone in a support role rather than a leader ● When you talk about the word normal, you also talk about the response
level. There aren’t always such things as “normal responses”
Key Takeaways How can we encourage a more positive work environment to support neurodiversity? ● Have an autism ombudsman to support the individual needs of those with
autism ● Have advocates and mentors who can help de-escalate and mediate
situations ● Consider proactive strategies for supporting positive online communication
where ambiguity and sarcasm can easily be misunderstood
Key Takeaways What can parents do to prepare their children for success in the corporate environment? ● Find the hidden activity that your child is engaging in in order to learn, and
foster it. ● Discover your child’s strengths and foster these ● Pay attention to behaviors and do your best to understand what they mean ● Embrace behaviors and turn them into positives
Key Takeaways Can you talk about what you have learned through working with some of the individuals you have worked with through SketchUp? ● Use a strength (ie 3d software) to help compensate for some of the
challenges (ie. communications) ● Teach alternate modes of communication to help individuals with autism
deal with anxiety in more socially acceptable ways
Key Takeaways How can we help children and adults build meaningful social relationships? ● Identify people with common interests to help people build relationships
naturally ● Relationships should be based on interests. Don’t force them to happen. ● Relationships are based on stuff they like to do and stuff they are
interested in.
Key Takeaways What key piece of information do you want people interested in supporting neuro-diversity to leave with? ● Early intervention can make a huge difference. ● HR departments should support parents who have children with neuro-
diversity with providing them access early intervention. ● Think beyond your own conception of normal when problem solving in the
workplace. ● Don’t think about how you would react, think about how others will react
Thank you
For a copy of today’s presentation or other resources for adults with
autism, contact Mike Civello at [email protected]
