1. The Autism Job Club: The Neurodiverse Workforce in the New Normal of Employment
Presentation to the Autism Society March 9, 2017 Michael Bernick, Sedgwick LLP

2. Part I: Snapshot of Autism Employment in March 2017
Great deal of energy and activity in recent years in employment initiatives for the neurodiverse workforce.
Extensive infrastructure of job placement activities in government.
Despite the employment initiatives and structures, the employment rates of persons with autism remain very low, estimated at 30% or lower.

3. Where We Stand in March 2017 on Employment for the Neurodiverse Workforce
Great deal of energy and activity in recent years in employment initiatives for the neurodiverse workforce:
Autism at Work and other initiatives of neurodiversity employment and retention in operation by major firms (Microsoft, SAP, Deloitte, Ford Motor Co.,Hewlett Packard, Google, EMC, CAI, Willis Towers Watson); other major firms developing neurodiversity employment initiatives (Facebook, AirBnB, Salesforce).
Autism-focused businesses continuing to be launched or expanded (Rising Tide, UltraTesting, Spectrum Designs, Platinum Bay software, Chocolate Spectrum, SMILE biscotti).
Self-employment and internet-based creative collectives (Picasso Einstein, Autistic Creatives Collective, Art of Autism).

4. Where We Stand in March 2017 on Employment for the Neurodiverse Workforce
Extensive network of employment services established through the California Dept. of Rehabilitation and Regional Centers.
Additional targeted initiatives through: EDD’s Disability Employment Initiative; ETP’s “No More Barriers”, CWDB Accelerator targeted at “adults with disabilities”.
California Community Colleges DSPS services, including employment services.

5. Where We Stand in March 2017 on Employment for the Neurodiverse Workforce
Despite all of these initiatives the employment rates for adults with developmental differences remain low (rough estimations at 70% not working steadily).
The number of persons served by the major employer initiatives is modest.
Even with the strong national economy, the competition for nearly every job opening is high.
Most of the autism-focused businesses and self- employment initiatives are still trying to find stability.

6. Part II: Your Own Job Placement Efforts with a Person on the Autism Spectrum
Don’t Go It Alone—Try to Connect with a Job Coach. Utilize the public workforce system, including the Department of Rehabilitation and Regional Center services. Use all of your networks—be a helicopter parent in the extreme. Try to “get in the door” through part time work and volunteer work when well- structured. B C D

7. Don’t Go It Alone… A
There is a growing specialty among job coaches of persons who work with adults with autism.
Often these coaches are “vendorized” by the Department of Rehab and/or Regional Centers.
If you can find a job coach to work with, do so, while complimenting his or her efforts with your own employment services.

8. Utilize the Public Workforce System Resources
The “vendorized” job coach is the most direct form of utilizing the public workforce system.
Also, any adult on the autism spectrum should be eligible for services through the Local Workforce Development Boards and One-Stop System.
Colleges, community colleges and other post-secondary institutions have their own employment/work experience services for students.

9. Use all of your networks; be a helicopter parent in the extreme
The competition for nearly all jobs these days is high.
Reach out to family members or friends who might need assistance.
Utilize all of your networks, the best job referral today is from someone who is already in a company.

10. Patience, as most job searches take time
When I first started in the employment field in 1979, a job seeker could send out a few resumes and expect to get an interview, if not a job.
Today, the expectation of nearly all job seekers should be to apply for jobs at least.
All you need is one job placement—you don’t need to win an election of employers.

11. The structure of employment is changing, with greater roles for part-time employment and contingent employment D
Most important to “get in the door” Part-time, contingent employment, project based employment. Volunteer employment when well-structured.

12. Part III: The Autism Community Working Together on Employment
Helping each other in job search, and utilization of networks.
Job Clubs and Autism Focused Businesses and Internet Collectives.

13. Helping each other in job search
Helping others with personal referrals and networks.
Helping to develop autism employment initiatives in major firms: parents responsible for initiatives in Walgreens, SAP, and most major firms.

14. Job Clubs and Autism-Focused Businesses and Internet Collectives
The Job Club is a way to meet regularly, trade ideas and invite speakers.
AASCEND Job Club: speakers and mutual support efforts.

15. Part IV: Public Service Employment
Public Service employment largely has fallen out of favor since the late 1970s.
It is making a comeback for targeted populations.
Pilot project now being undertaken with the California Conservation Corps, led by Dr. Lou Vismara, founder of the MIND Institute.

16. Public Service Employment making a comeback in targeted groups
Public service employment largely discontinued in the early 1980s.
Targeted demonstration project: Milwaukee “New Hope” project. ★ ★
Targeted demonstration project: New York City Parks department.

17. Public service employment pilot with the California Conservation Corps
Pilot to link young persons on the autism spectrum with services for seniors
Pilot to launch in May 2017, at several senior centers.
Transitional employment opportunities.

18. Part V: The Expansion of Diversity Coordinators, and inclusion of Neurodiversity
Diversity Coordinators at AirBnB, Salesforce, and Facebook, among other firms.
Microsoft joins SAP and Google with targeted autism hiring effort.

19. Where do we go from here in 2017
Autism coaches and individual efforts
Autism community pooling of resources and job clubs
Autism initiatives in major firms
Autism-focused businesses
Autism-focused internet creatives collectives
Public service employment pilots

20. Questions? Michael Bernick Counsel, Sedgwick LLP