Driving Forward: Living Your Best Life as an Autistic Adult
Join us on Wednesday, November 12, at 7 PM ET for an inspiring panel featuring five autistic speakers who will share their lived experiences of thriving as autistic adults. The discussion will cover topics such as resource disparities, independence vs. interdependence, and strategies for moving from surviving to thriving in a world that was not built for autistic individuals.
Moderator
- Ben VanHook, OAR Community Support Coordinator
Panelists
- Deborah Hammer, SAAC Chair, Disability Specialist at Arlington County Public Schools
- Shea Belsky, Tech Lead II at Hubspot
- Ember Glowing, AuDHD self-advocate and plant enthusiast
- Laurie George, PhD student, teaching fellow, and researcher
If you have any questions or comments about this event or if you would like to request specific webinar topics for the future, please contact our Community Support Coordinator, Ben Vanhook.
Speakers
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Shea BelskyShea Belsky is an autistic self-advocate and changemaker. He is the Chief Technology Officer of Mentra, a hiring platform for neurodivergent jobseekers. He graduated Cornell University with his BS and MPS in Information Science and has worked for companies like Wayfair and HubSpot on their accessibility and neurodiversity inclusion efforts. Shea brings several unique perspectives to supporting neurodivergent colleagues. He has been the manager of neurodivergent and neurotypical employees, has reported to neurodivergent and neurotypical managers, and has advocated for the needs and wellbeing of neurodivergent and neurotypical peers. Shea is excited to share these experiences with others in order to create a more neuro-inclusive workplace for everyone.
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Ember GlowingEmber is a plant enthusiast with multiple complex illnesses & invisible disabilities. She is AuDHD with Dyscalculia & Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and enjoys painting , sculpting & using what she has learned to help others thrive.
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Deborah HammerDeborah is an autism and low-incidence disability specialist for the Arlington (VA) public school district. She is chair of the SAAC and serves on the board of OAR.
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Laurie GeorgeLaurie is a PhD student, teaching fellow, and researcher focused on autism affirming early childhood intervention and inclusive research practices. She is also an autistic mother raising three neurodiverse children. Her goal in life is for them to embrace
