Nov 1, 2015 - When I graduated from Horace Gree- ley High .... porate Lecture Series provides the opportunity for a ...
GREELEY GRADS
IMPLORE BUSINESSES: Commit to Employ People on the Autism Spectrum
By Tracy Powell-Rudy (née Wolff) When I graduated from Horace Greeley High School in 1980, the national incidence rate for autism was 1 in 10,000. When my son started at Grafflin Elementary School in Chappaqua in the 1990s, it had risen to 1 in 2,500. By the time my daughter was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome (AS)+ early in the new millennium, the autism incidence rate was 1 in 150.
tone and can have a hard time making eye contact. As a result, and despite the aforementioned strengths–and I
is able to navigate the complexities of a college campus and the rigors of a college curriculum at higher institutions of learning such as Rutgers, RIT, Oberlin, Brandeis, Skidmore, Columbia, and the CUNY and SUNY systems. Indeed, many colleges and universities now provide strong support programs and services for individuals with Asperger’s. Likewise, forward-thinking companies, especially those that see the benefits of creating diverse and inclusive work environments, are working towards doing the same. “The Best Kind of Support System” Though Luke spoke later than most children his age, today he speaks with thoughtful clarity and unique insight. Likewise, though he acknowledges that networking is not his strongest suit, Luke credits his elementary school with offering the “best kind of support system, the best kind of environment” in which to grow. He further credits his parents with making sure his education was centered on the fact that he just processed things differently than his peers did.
Luke graduated from SUNY Purchase in May of 2014 with a B.A. in Liberal Studies and has since worked in various video production internship positions. He currently works in the Document Management department at the UnitTracy and Luke, following their (ASTEP’s) featured presentation ed States Attorney’s Office in at LinkedIn’s InDay On the surface, the Brooklyn, where he preps case statistics alone can be files to be digitally archived. daunting. However, with early interspeak from prior experience as princiWhile the position appeals to Luke as vention, many children with an autism pal of a retained executive search firm an active visual worker, and requires diagnosis are going on to graduate –AS individuals are often screened out an acute attention to detail that most from high school, and over one-third of during the initial interview process. do not possess, it nonetheless quickly those high school graduates are going becomes clear to anyone lucky enough on to some form of post-secondary to chat with Luke that the work is not education including college*. That’s the Greeley Grad (’80) Meets commensurate with his experience and good news. The not-so-good news: of Greeley Grad (’09) skill set. Almost hesitantly, Luke acthe one-third who do attend college, Last fall, I met and began workknowledges this. The situation reveals 75-85% are unemployed or undereming with a local young man who was a few remarkable takeaways: the first is ployed after graduation, compared diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome at Luke’s positive yet unyieldingly honest with the 28% unemployment rate for age nine in 2000 and who, like me, also approach. The second is a clear illustraall college graduates**. graduated from Greeley. His name is tion of the underemployment issue. Luke Davis***. In many ways, individuals with ASTEP Steps In Asperger’s or similar autism spectrum After spending time with Luke, I Founded by Marcia Scheiner in profiles are ideal employees. They often was hard-pressed to understand why 2010, ASTEP is a 501(c)3 organization have a solid work ethic, strongly adhere the unemployment rate for individuproviding consulting services in the to rules and are direct and very honest. als with Asperger’s is so high. Luke, form of assessment, sensitivity awareOn the other hand, they can also be along with many other young adults ness and accommodation training, very literal, speak with a professorial who have worked closely with ASTEP, on-boarding, mentoring and recruitToday the incidence rate is 1 in 68. And today, I serve as Director of Corporate Engagement for the Asperger Syndrome Training & Employment Partnership (ASTEP).
November 2015 Inside Chappaqua 17
ment to Fortune 1000 employers interested in hiring and retaining this untapped workforce. ASTEP’s mission is to improve the quality of life of individuals with Asperger Syndrome and similar autism profiles by working with employers to create inclusive work environments that lead to suitable and sustainable employment opportunities. Making the Connection Between Employers and Recent Graduates During the fall of 2014, Luke attended ASTEP’s Corporate Lecture Series in New York City. “Our Corporate Lecture Series provides the opportunity for a two-way interaction between employers and individuals with Asperger’s,” said Marcia Scheiner,
autism profiles into the workplace and the special capabilities these potential employees possess. Since its inception in 2011, over 80 students have completed ASTEP’s corporate lecture series program, and several of our clientcompanies have or are starting to create internships, temporary/permanent positions and mentoring programs to support the hiring of these individuals and others as a result of their work with us. “Dreaming Up What Else Is Out There” To Luke, the best thing about working with ASTEP was being able to see how various corporations function, and to see how willing they are to work with people who have disabilities. It gave him a different perspective and allowed him to understand just what kinds of possibilities are available to him –as he put it, “dreaming what else is out there.”
If he had to communicate just one thing, what would it be? Back at their mutual alma mater, Tracy and Luke show their HGHS spirit. Surprisingly ASTEP’s President. To date, ASTEP has (or not surprisingly), his response was held successful events in Los Angeles, directed at the parents of young adults New York and San Francisco, includwith Asperger Syndrome and similar ing companies such as NBCUniversal, autism profiles: “Tell your children PwC, Oracle, Cisco, LinkedIn, EY, that this so-called disability does not Quirky, Barclays, Turner Sports and have to hinder or inhibit them. Tell Northwestern Mutual. them that there are resources out there, and they do not have to fear beEach two-hour event is broken ing judged.” down into three sections: company presentations, interactive exercises I’d like to echo Luke’s sentiment and, and a networking session for attendas a parent, add a final note: if I had ees and company representatives. To to communicate just one thing, I’d tell prepare student-attendees for the job the parents that they can help drive search process, the program focuses on this change. Changed attitudes lead to improving networking skills, refining changed behaviors. Many of ASTEP’s personal career goals, understandrelationships with employers have ing corporate culture and developing been facilitated by parents who are a personal brand as a job candidate. executives in Fortune 1000 companies Companies participating in the event eager to champion inclusivity around learn about integrating individuals Asperger’s and similar autism profiles. with Asperger Syndrome or similar 18 Inside Chappaqua November 2015
As we complete our fifth series and the holiday season approaches, all of us at ASTEP would like to extend our warmest “thanksgivings” to the many companies, parents, young adults and our countless other champions, and invite you to reach out to us to explore how to engage this untapped pool of capable and talented young adults. + “Asperger syndrome (AS), also known as Asperger's syndrome, Asperger disorder (AD) or simply Asperger's, is an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) that is characterized by significant difficulties in social interaction and nonverbal communication, alongside restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests.” Wikipedia * Roux, AM, Shattuck, PT, Cooper, BP, Anderson, KA, et al. (2013). “Postsecondary employment experiences among young adults with an autism spectrum disorder” – Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 52(9), 931. ** BLS Monthly Labor Review, 2013 *** We respect and support Luke’s request to use an alias for his last name so that he retains control over if, when and how he discloses his diagnosis to a prospective employer.
For more information about how your company can work with ASTEP, contact Tracy Powell-Rudy at tpowell-rudy@ asperger-employment.org. Tracy Powell-Rudy (HGHS ’80) currently serves as ASTEP’s Director of Corporate Engagement. Prior to joining ASTEP, Tracy spent six years in executive search as Principal with a premier retained global search firm. Earlier, Tracy worked in technology and telecommunications leading MCI’s Northeast Division IT organization. Tracy graduated Summa Cum Laude from Manhattanville College, and has an MS in Telecommunications Management with honors from NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering. She has also served locally as both producer and board member for The Armonk Players community theater and on the CCSD’s Special Education Parent Committee.
