What can you or your organization do to make the workplace more inclusive for people with autism?

Recently, RFK Jr., the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, attracted considerable criticism following his disparagingly blanket statements about people with autism. Many people in the autism community lead fulfilling lives full of love, joy, and productive work—despite the hapless and hopeless depiction of this population that RFK shared. 

This is an excellent moment to draw attention to my conversation with Amanda Kelly, the president and CEO of Firefly Autism and one of the founders of the groundbreaking Colorado Neurodiversity Chamber of Commerce (CNDCC). It’s impossible not to look at our growing talent shortage in this country and ask: why aren’t we hiring neurodivergent and autistic people? In this episode, Amanda dives into how we can all make our workplaces more welcoming for neurodivergent individuals, who make up one-fifth of our population. 

Whether you’re neurodiverse or neurotypical, Amanda’s jaw-dropping stats and pursuit of equity will inspire you:

• Learn about the shocking lack of career resources for autistic adults;
• Discover how organizations can make their workplaces more inclusive, for neurodivergent people and beyond;
• Break down the ongoing issues of neurodiversity and inequities in diagnosis; 
• Understand the unique gender component of autism and its impacts.

Related Links:

• Firefly Autism - https://fireflyautism.org/
• Colorado Neurodiversity Chamber of Commerce - https://www.cndcc.org/
• Connect with Amanda on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-d-kelly-d-psych-2b5957a0/
• RFK Jr., “Autism destroys families” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPxTnX1sgJc
• “Addressing the ‘Cliff’ for Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder” - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33539916/
• NYT, “The Dangerous Race to Put More Children to Work” - https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/24/opinion/editorials/arkansas-child-labor.html
• Autism Recovery Network, “Why Is the Autistic Unemployment Rate So High?” - https://autismrecovery.sg/why-is-the-autistic-unemployment-rate-so-high/
• Episode 390, How to Manage ADHD in the Workplace - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode390
• TAKE ACTION with Bossed Up - https://www.bossedup.org/takeaction
• Bossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/
• Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/