Neuro-inclusive Airports
Airports. They can be a sensory nightmare for many autistic individuals. From the thousands of people pushing and shoving their way to the gate and on the plane, invading one’s personal boundaries in the process, to the heightened sensory sensitivities of the loudspeaker, thousands of conversations occurring at once, and the sound of planes taking…
Interview with Sunny Meadows
Where do you work and what type of work do you do? I work at Ingles Supermarket chain in the Southeastern United States. I work in the Deli Department. I have been with Ingles for about 3 years now and I serve food from the hot bar mostly. That is my main job but I…
How to Navigate the Holiday Season with Anna Robinson
The holiday season can be a fun, but sometimes stressful, time for autistic people. On one hand, the season may include quality time spent with family and friends. However, it can also be a deviation from one’s routine which may include heightened sensory sensitivities and stimuli that can make the experience uncomfortable. In this interview,…
Advocate for Accommodations in College
Accommodations can support success and learning in college. However, even college students with approved accommodations may experience barriers to receiving them. Deciding that you want to disclose your disability is the first step in obtaining approved accommodations, but it is not the end of the process. After you are approved for accommodations, you will need…
Navigating Mental Health Support
In a study published in 2023, more autistic college students reported below-average mental health (22.9%) than their non-autistic peers (14.3%), highlighting the critical importance of information for autistic college students about mental health and how to maintain good mental health. Created by a team led by Vanessa Bal, Ph.D., and Evan Kleiman, Ph.D., at Rutgers…
A Hire Autism Job Seeker Finds Success
Valerie Thompson, a later diagnosed autistic individual, found herself going to interviews and receiving positive feedback but not a final offer despite considerable tech industry experience. She turned to Hire Autism for help and was paired with Angela Herbert, a Hire Autism navigator. Over several weeks, the pair met virtually to discuss Thompson’s job search,…
Neurodiversity as a Super Power
“The world needs different kinds of minds to work together.” – Temple Grandin That’s right…I said it: Neurodiversity is a superpower. In this article, I explore the incredible strengths autistic and other neurodivergent* individuals bring to the workforce, why these strengths are important for employers, and what neurodivergent employees should look for in a potential…
Obtaining Approved Accommodations through Your College’s Disability Services Office
If you have weighed the pros and cons of disclosing your disability in order to obtain approved accommodations through your college’s disability office, please refer to the general steps in the process below. There may be differences in the steps at your college, but these should reflect the general or common practices. Sample scripts are…
Deciding Whether to Disclose Your Disability in College
Disability Disclosure Many Autistic individuals are provided information during their time in high school or elsewhere that encourages them to disclose their disability across college, employment, and/or social realms. However, making the decision regarding whether to disclose your disability is a deeply personal one and a choice that is yours alone. Data suggests that only…
