ZOOM Autism Magazine Issue 19: A Job for Everyone

Founders

Publisher

Autism Empowerment

On the Cover

Autistic entrepreneur and psychologist Lee Chambers is featured on our cover. See Who is Lee Chambers? on page 23.

Cover Design by Conner Cummings

Thanks

Issue 19 • 2022

Mailing address: Autism Empowerment P.O. Box 871676 Vancouver, WA 98687 info@autismempowerment.org zoomautism@gmail.com

Autism Empowerment is a 501(c)3 nonprofit devoted to promoting a culture of acceptance and empowerment for children, teens, adults and families within autistic and neurodiverse communities.

Autism Empowerment makes no warranty, guarantee, endorsement or promotion of any service providers or therapy options listed in this publication or our websites at AutismEmpowerment.org, SpectrumLife.org and ZoomAutism.org. This is a free digital magazine created as a courtesy to the public.

Autism Empowerment cannot be held liable for any action or decision based upon information found in this publication or our websites. It is the responsibility of individuals to discuss any therapy or treatment option with their care team. Every effort is made to ensure accuracy and verify information, however readers using this information do so at their own risk. No part of the publication may be reproduced or transmitted without prior written consent from publisher Autism Empowerment and SLC Inc.

©

autism through many lenses

19

IN THIS ISSUE:

Issue Theme: A Job for Everyone

Guest Editor: Lydia Wayman

We hope that our autistic readers might read these stories and think about employment in a new way.

We want parents, educators, and service providers to see how many creative ways there are to make employment work. We have so much potential. ~ Lydia Wayman

Cover Feature: Who is Lee Chambers?

British psychologist, entrepreneur and radio host, Lee Chambers is the founder of PhenomGames and Essentialise Workplace Wellbeing. He is the host of the Self Aware Entrepreneur Show and was voted in the Top 50 Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME)

Entrepreneurs Under 50 in 2020. Lee was diagnosed autistic as an adult, after the diagnosis of one of his sons.

Entrepreneurship was a good choice for me, allowing me to use my skills to build something that worked in an atypical way, giving me the freedom to design a life around this. While every autistic individual is unique, we harness some amazing skills if conditions and environments are created for us to thrive. ~ Lee Chambers

Featured Creative Entrepreneur: Conner Cummings Look for Conner’s photography throughout the pages of this magazine and see more of his work at https://connercummingsphotography.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

F EATURE A RTICLES

6 Letter From The Editor

Guest Editor Lydia Wayman shares her thoughts about National Disability Employment Awareness Month and this issue’s articles which highlight jobs, careers, strategies and services.

8 What Do You Do?

Interviews and advice from 7 autistic adults about jobs and entrepreneurial passions.

17 Know Your Workplace Rights

Autistic advocate Valerie Paradiz shares wisdom from lived work experience about disclosure, accommodations, and legal rights in the workplace.

COVER STORY

23 Who is Lee Chambers?

British psychologist, autistic entrepreneur, father, and wellbeing advocate Lee Chambers shares his personal story about diagnosis, entrepreneurship, advocacy, and wellness.

29 Need A Job that Works for You? Try a Job Coach

Featuring Vijay Rathinasamy and his work experience with Didlake, Inc.

33 Cummings & Goings

Managing Editor Conner Cummings shares encouragement and observations about the importance of meaningful work opportunities being available to all people.

41 Turning Your Passions Into Profits: 10 Hobbies to Help You Earn Money

Autism Empowerment founder and autistic entrepreneur Karen Krejcha shares moneyearning ideas and resources to help you turn your passions into profits.

49 This Issue’s BIG Question

Our editorial team asked #ActuallyAutistic adults, “What is one thing you think employers should know or do to support the autistic community?”

50 Autism Business Directory

Autistic consultants, freelancers, business owners, and community allies promote their entrepreneurial pursuits to our readers.

By Lydia Wayman

October is my favorite month. I love crunchy leaves, the sweet smells in the cool air, and pumpkins of every shape and size. I especially love seeing black cats everywhere, but that’s just because I love cats.

October is also National Disability Employment Awareness Month. According to the Office of Disability Employment Policy, the purpose of NDEAM is “to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities.” This year's theme is “Disability: Part of the Equity Equation.”

From the perspective of a guest editor, autism and employment is one of those topics that is so big in scope and so important to the daily lives of so many people, it’s hard to know where to start.

For one thing, issues surrounding disability and employment affect everyone in society — employers and employees, individuals and families, students and adults, service providers and community members. And there are so many issues involved — personal finances, quality of life, adult services, health insurance, teaching decisions and education programs.

Our writers in this issue represent a wide range of ages, locations, interests, and support needs as well as a wide range of jobs. We hope that by handing over the microphone — in the form of a blank screen or page — our autistic readers might read their stories and think about employment in a new way.

Maybe you will be inspired by Lindsey, who turned her love of dogs into a part-time side job, or Dave, whose job lets him earn money while being engaged

in his lifelong special interest. You might learn about legal rights you didn’t know you had as an employee with a disability or that there are services available that could help you get or keep a job.

Our cover story, Lee Chambers, might be the spark that sets you off in forging your own path as an entrepreneur.

But this issue isn’t just for our autistic readers. It’s also for parents, educators, and service providers. We want you to see how many creative ways there are to make employment work. With the right support and work environment, we have so much potential. The more you learn to think outside the box, the more success you will see in the lives of those you support.

Finally, we want employers to know about the benefits of hiring autistic employees. When we interviewed Valerie Paradiz, who shares her wisdom regarding accommodations and disclosure in one of

our stories in this issue, we asked what employers need to know about hiring autistic people. She said:

“I think the big thing is to be prepared to see growth in your organization. And by that, I mean growth in the humanity of it, growth in your own understanding of the incredible talents and skills we bring to the table.

Speaking in business terms, there is tremendous potential for innovation and return on investment. This is all proven in studies about autistic people working in companies. If you think you’re doing a charity, you’re way behind the times.

In your company, no matter if you have ten employees or two thousand, stratification of us and giving us career opportunities is only going to benefit you — in more ways than you know, if you’ve never done it. I know that from experience. And it’s only a matter of time before we’re everywhere in the ranks of all companies.”

As we keep working toward a more inclusive future, the truth is that many of us are facing challenges related to employment right now. The problems stemming from our inadequate system are many, and any lasting solution is complex and far more than one magazine can hope to achieve.

What we can do, or at least what we have tried to do in this issue, is give you a snapshot of what successful employment looks like for some people on the spectrum. We hope that all of our readers will find something to connect with — a job or career field, a strategy, a service. If we can bring attention to what is working for some people, in spite of the systemic issues, maybe more of us can be successful in reaching our own employment goals.

Lydia Wayman is an autistic advocate with a B.S. in education and an M.A. in English and nonfiction writing. Through her presentations, writing, and art, she uses her experience to support families and professionals by helping them understand how autistic kids see the world. She has worked at an autism resource center, mentored youth with disabilities, and spoken at Girl Scout events, parent-led groups, and conferences with her autistic peers. Her writing has appeared in magazines, books, and newspapers, and she has helped to develop several training programs and professional courses.

“We hope that our autistic readers might read these stories and think about employment in a new way.”

•

“We want parents, educators, and service

providers to see how many creative ways there are to make employment work. We have so much potential.”

•

“We want employers to know about the benefits of hiring autistic employees.”

WHATDOYOUDO?

Employment PerspectivesAcross

At ZOOM Autism Magazine, we see autism through many lenses. In each story that we share, every person that we highlight, our vision includes beauty, strength and mighty potential.

The spectrum is diverse and so are we. In this feature, we invited seven autistic adults to share about the kind of work they do. You’ll see the same questions asked of each person, but the answers are as unique as the people you’ll see pictured. Enjoy!

What is your job?

I am a professional artist. Truly I have the gift of synesthesia and I see people’s emotions as color, and I can see their auras as well. Frankly, I paint the colors I see when I sit with them, and give them a description of what the colors mean about them.

What do you do during a normal work day or shift?

Greatly I go to my art studio and work on multiple paintings. Each painting has many layers and needs time to dry, and so I paint layers on different paintings that I am working on. Sometimes I meet people on Zoom to read their colors.

What is your favorite thing about your job?

Truly my favorite thing is helping people by showing them their best colors: the colors of their best attributes and spiritual connection. I only paint people’s positive colors.

What is challenging about your job?

Frankly, there are many things that can be challenging, such as not having enough team members to support me, and feeling overwhelmed sometimes. I feel overwhelmed sometimes if there are too many deadlines.

What strategies or accommodations have been helpful?

The best accommodation I can have is a support person who understands my needs. Frankly having enough work to keep busy, but not so much that I feel pressured is helpful to me.

To connect with Jeremy and see his artwork visit: Instagram: www.instagram.com/jeremysvision Website: www.jeremysvision.com

Jeremy Sicile-Kira

“The best accommodation I can have is a support person who understands my needs.”

What is your job?

I am the senior Washington correspondent for The Independent, a columnist for MSNBC and the author of the book We’re Not Broken: Changing the Autism Conversation.

What do you do during a normal work day or shift?

Typically my day starts the night before. I write a newsletter every weekday for The Independent that gives a layout of the daily news the next morning, so I usually do that around 8:00 pm. Then I get up around 7:30 am, check what happened overnight and talk with my editors and coworkers about what we plan to cover. Usually, I work from the U.S. Capitol covering Congress but other times I work from home. Usually, I can file anywhere from 3 to 5 stories a day with long-term projects on the back burner. I get off around 6 pm most days (barring any news happening later).

What is your favorite thing about your job?

I’m an incredibly curious person by nature and I like being able to speak to people. I like talking to everyday people about what their needs are, what their lives are like, and why they are the way they are. I think it’s important to ask powerful people like politicians, lobbyists and bureaucrats what they are doing with the power they are given.

What is challenging about your job?

There can be so much news at once. There was a day, I think two and a half months ago, where there was a January 6 Committee hearing and that same day happened to be the vote on gun control in the Senate. I planned on going to the House of Representatives the next day to cover the vote there when the Supreme Court announced its Dobbs v. Jackson decision, which threw my plan for a loop. Sometimes news gets in the way of news and you need to decide what to prioritize.

What advice would you give to someone who would like to do your job in the future?

Be curious and care about the truth. Those are the two guiding principles behind any journalist. There is this image of the misanthropic journalist and I never really liked that. If you are writing about people, you have to care about people.

Eric Garcia

“Be curious and care about the truth. Those are the two guiding principles behind any journalist. If you are writing about people, you have to care about people.”

What is your job?

My main line of work is in the nonprofit industry, but a year ago I also picked up dog boarding as a side gig. Our senior rescue dog had passed a few months prior. The experience of the few years I had with her was so rewarding for my mental wellbeing. Hosting other dogs in our home was a great way to continue extending my love for them, while having the convenience of not making a full commitment as a caretaker.

What do you do during a normal work day or shift?

I work from home, so I am able to be available to them throughout the day for all of their needs. We take walks in the mornings and evenings. I also capture a lot of photos and video clips of them. Their owners really love receiving daily photo updates.

What is your favorite thing about your job?

I love the photo sessions I have with each “guest” who stays with us. Each dog is unique in aesthetics, background, and personality, so the ideal images that capture them in their element will vary for each one. I love experimenting with the camera and unraveling the mystery behind what type of portraits fit best with each dog.

What is challenging about your job?

There are situations we have encountered where there was an excessive barking problem, or unexpected accidents on the rugs that get stressful to clean up after. My spouse’s patience is more limited, so as a negotiation I take on gigs less often than desired.

What strategies or accommodations have been helpful?

When you share a residential space with one or more people, being mindful of creating accommodations is crucial. My spouse often gets overwhelmed with the dogs who stay at our house. To prevent the chances of burnout and meltdowns, I take an average of one or two bookings per month and smaller dogs up to 40 pounds.

Instagram: www.instagram.com/lindseynebeker Website: www.lindseynebeker.com

Lindsey Nebeker

“I picked up dog boarding as a side gig. Our senior rescue dog had passed a few months prior. The few years I had with her was so rewarding for my mental wellbeing. Hosting other dogs was a great way to continue extending my love for them.”

What is your job?

I’m a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. More specifically, I work within the Weather Prediction Center division of the NWS, and I specialize in extended range forecasts, rainfall, and flash flood forecasting.

What do you do during a normal work day or shift?

On most days, I prepare forecasts for three to seven days into the future for the continental U.S. and Alaska. This includes positions of warm/cold fronts, overall pressure patterns, expected rainfall, and snow/ice forecasts.

What is your favorite thing about your job?

I enjoy the science of meteorology and being able to use my interests I’ve had since childhood. I also like having nine shifts, with nine hours per shift, in a two-week pay period instead of ten shorter shifts.

What is challenging about your job?

We work rotating shifts, and we have a week of night shifts every five weeks, and then regular day shifts the remainder of the time.

What strategies or accommodations have been helpful?

Having the opportunity to telework about 25% of the time is very helpful and reduces stressful commuting, which can be 45 minutes on days with heavy traffic. Having our desks separated by five to ten feet from other staff members is also helpful. We have lots of personal space, and the temperature in the office is comfortable.

“I enjoy the science of meteorology and being able to use my interests I’ve had since childhood.”

Dave Hamrick

What is your job?

I am a ticket taker for the Mudhens baseball stadium in Toledo, Ohio. I’ve been working there since 2014. I am also a greeter at Gabe’s department store.

What do you do during a normal work day or shift?

I use a scanner to take tickets from people coming to the games. At Gabe’s, I greet people and tell them where they can find things. I also bring the carts back in from the parking lot.

What is your favorite thing about your job?

I like being around a lot of people.

What is challenging about your job?

It’s hard to pick out things where they are (in the store).

What advice would you give to someone who would like to do this job in the future?

You should be nice to your customers and always tell them what they can and can’t do.

“I like being around a lot of people.”

Caroline Roberts

What is your job?

I work as a teacher’s aide at a school for children with autism. I work with children ages 6-9.

What do you do during a normal work day or shift?

I support and help the teacher with prepping for the day, making materials and coming up with ideas. Once the students arrive I assist the teacher with academic activities with the students such as math, reading, speech, fine motor skills, Natural Environmental Teaching (N.E.T.), gross motor and more.

What is your favorite thing about your job?

I love interacting with the students and knowing that I am helping them based on what I learned and continue to learn from my own journey. I enjoy seeing them grow and make progress. Everyone values my opinions from my own perspective.

What is challenging about your job?

Sometimes it can be hard to stay organized. It can also be a little overwhelming with so much happening at once.

What strategies or accommodations have been helpful?

I work part-time three days a week. I also take a lunch break and two five-minute sensory breaks each day in order to help me focus and be able to do my best work. My supervisors and coworkers are very supportive and accommodating. This is definitely very helpful. Everyone I work with goes above and beyond to make sure that I am feeling supported and have the accommodations that I need.

Chloe Rothschild

“I love interacting with the students and knowing that I am helping them based on what I learned and continue to learn from my own journey.”

What is your job?

Actually, I have two jobs. I work as a bagger at Crafton Giant Eagle! I’ve been at this job since Monday, July 10th, 2006! To date, I’ve worked 2,517 times and counting (no joking)! I started my second job as a library clerk in training on Saturday, July 9th, 2022. To date, I’ve worked three shifts and counting.

What do you do during a normal work day or shift?

My primary objective at Giant Eagle is to bag customers’ groceries and help out my fellow coworkers, superiors, and customers to the best of my ability. When I see a customer who is having a hard time walking or is elderly, I preemptively bring them a cart or motorized cart. I make it my mission to never leave anyone behind. When I see a regular customer who I know usually wants paper and plastic, I immediately set up the bags that way. My memory serves a unique purpose to interact and build rapport with the general public.

For the library clerk job, my primary objectives are to check books in and out for patrons who come into the library. To that effect, I make library cards and answer the phone and most of all I make it my mission to be benevolent.

What is your favorite thing about your job?

My favorite thing about both jobs is being an all-around benevolent human being. Plus, another favorite thing about my job is that I get to be social and spread benevolent cheer into the hearts and minds of others.

What is challenging about your job?

The most challenging thing about my Giant Eagle job is dealing with the current state of affairs when it comes to the pandemic and customers sometimes having malevolent attitudes towards me, my compatriots, and life in general. I continue to soldier on by adapting and overcoming any adversity that happens to come my way.

The challenges of the library clerk job are learning the day-to-day procedures of signing up individuals for library cards and looking up books and various items for multiple patrons. I take things one step at a time. What advice would you give to someone who would like to do this job in the future?

The advice that I would give to my fellow coworkers is to be the torchbearers of hope, love, compassion, inspiration, happiness, and most of all benevolence.

Joseph Smith

“My memory serves a unique purpose to interact and build rapport with the general public.”

By Lydia Wayman featuring Valerie Paradiz

Knowing your legal rights is the best way to protect and advocate for yourself in the workplace. While it is easy to find articles about disability employment rights online, there are some questions that facts just can’t answer. For that, you need to talk to someone with lived experience.

Valerie Paradiz is an autistic adult who has personally encountered a wide range of disability employment issues. She began her career in post-secondary education, and then, following her son’s diagnosis, she founded a school for autistic kids.

Since her own diagnosis, she has created programs like the Integrated Self-Advocacy (ISA) curriculum, which was used in New York City public schools and is now being used as a peer mentoring program at Stanford University. Valerie led a group with autistic team members in the development of a course to teach independent living skills to young adults with disabilities.

In her former role as Vice President of Services and Supports at Autism Speaks, she led a research-based employment initiative that supported autistic job candidates and employers to improve job outcomes.

As you read on to learn about your legal rights, Valerie offers some equally important words of wisdom based on her own lived experience.

Employment rights are covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), which protects the civil rights of individuals with disabilities in many areas of public life. The ADA makes it illegal for employers to discriminate based on disability and requires employers to know their responsibilities regarding the ADA.

Valerie pointed out that your work-related ADA rights don’t just apply to the workplace itself. For example, you may have rights to accommodations if you have to communicate with your employer during off-hours or when you are at home. If you take public transportation like a bus, train, or subway to get to work, the ADA also applies there.

Disclosure

Deciding whether to share disability-related information with your employer is a personal choice. It may be the best way to advocate for yourself so that you can do your job effectively. Your choices about when, how, and to whom you disclose will depend on the situation.

Some people prefer to disclose before they are hired. This can give you a better idea of how the employer views disability. Others prefer to wait until they start to decide whether accommodations will be needed.

Valerie prefers to start the conversation early, and she has seen a shift over the years in how receptive employers are to disclosure. “I still go with the approach of disclosing up front. As I’ve gotten older and the movement we are all a part of grew stronger, and people understood autistic people more, it wasn’t as much of a risk.”

Some people also choose to share their diagnosis with coworkers, who can function as natural supports. You might even be able to get your needs met without discussing disability. For example, you might say that you are sensitive to lighting or temperature and ask if it’s okay to change the settings in the room.

on page 18

Valerie Paradiz

Some forms of job discrimination are obvious, while others occur simply because people are not informed. People with invisible disabilities such as autism can be misunderstood even when the employer is aware of the diagnosis.

Just because someone with a disability is not hired, it may not fit the definition of discrimination. The person applying must have the skills and experience to do the job, with or without accommodations. It is not considered discrimination if an employer turns down an applicant who is not qualified. Employers are not required to hire a disabled applicant over others.

However, employers cannot:

• Ask questions about disability during an interview

• Require unfair standards or tests that are not related to the specific job

• Refuse a promotion because of a disability or accommodation needs

• Pay an employee less if they require accommodations

• Deny benefits like health insurance because of a disability

• Limit an employee based on stereotypes about what a person with a certain disability can or cannot do

• Force an employee to work separately from others

• Retaliate against an employee who reports a violation of the ADA

Accommodations

Reasonable accommodations are meant to reduce unnecessary barriers so that individuals with

disabilities are able to fully participate in the workplace. If you are qualified to do a job but need accommodations for essential job tasks, the employer must provide them. Accommodations might include providing equipment or devices, adjusting a work schedule, or adapting testing and training materials.

Whether an accommodation is “reasonable” is based on considerations such as the cost of accommodation versus size of the company, whether outside funding is available, and the impact on other employees’ ability to do their jobs.

“An accommodation I have had is that, if possible, I like to be in a space that has natural lighting for most of the work day,” Valerie said. “If I can’t have natural light — like if there are no windows in the building — a reasonable accommodation could be that the employer ends up purchasing a floor lamp that isn’t shining down from above.”

Accommodations don’t always require you to get permission or disclose your diagnosis to anyone. “If you can do something that doesn’t go against safety or against the basic rules for all employees, then usually you’re okay. If it doesn’t conform to the basic standard, then you need to go to your employer.”

Some accommodations, like job coaching or modifying your work schedule, require you to formally disclose to HR or a supervisor. Your employer may ask for documentation, such as a letter from your doctor.

You might not know how to navigate the process of formal disclosure or seeking accommodations at your company. “Sometimes the process starts by going to a trusted co-worker or supervisor,” Valerie said. “The responsibility shouldn’t be yours to figure out alone. You need help either from a coworker, your boss, or the company. Starting the process with someone you feel like you can speak to or type with is a good start. Just don’t hold it all in.”

When asked what is most important for autistic people to know about their workplace rights, Valerie said there are two things that are equally important.

“One is your legal rights under ADA. You also have rights that are more personal and have to do with your own empowerment. Sometimes you have to first visit a place and talk to people there before you get a sense of whether or not it’s a place you want to work.

Some of us on the spectrum don’t realize that, and we should. By going in, we’re there to interview them as much as they are to interview us.”

Self-Advocacy Strategies

Valerie offered some suggestions to prepare for a conversation with your manager or HR:

• Take time to understand how your brain works and what kind of accommodations you need.

• If you’re feeling hurt, angry, or burned out, it’s important to process your feelings and figure out what it is that you need in order to be safe and productive in your job.

• Identify who you are going to go to with the request. This might be your manager, supervisor,

“I still go with the approach of disclosing up front. As I’ve gotten older and the movement we are all a part of grew stronger, and people understood autistic people more, it wasn’t as much of a risk.”

“The responsibility [of requesting accommodations] shouldn’t be yours to figure out alone. You need help either from a coworker, your boss, or the company. Starting the process with someone you feel like you can speak to or type with is a good start. Just don’t hold it all in.”

or someone in the HR department (which may go by a different name at your company).

• Approach the conversation in a collaborative way. If your employer cannot reasonably provide what you ask for, you can negotiate.

• Consider creating a script for yourself. Someone who you trust can help you find the words to use, whether you’re speaking or typing.

• Consider whether you would like someone – your supervisor, coworker, or job coach – to join you when you make the request.

• Make sure the whole thing is documented properly. Your employer should have documentation of your request, and you should document each communication and request for your own records. Keep copies of all paperwork and communications in writing.

References and Resources

Want to learn more about disability rights in the workplace? Check out these resources:

1. The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is the “leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on job accommodations and disability employment issues.” They also have a Workplace Accommodation Toolkit and a page with information specific to Accommodating Employees with Autism. https://askjan.org/

2. The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) maintains a current list of all state vocational rehabilitation agencies. Each state has its own program to help people with disabilities prepare for, obtain, and maintain employment.

https://rsa.ed.gov/

3. Real Work For Real Pay: A Self-Advocate’s Guide to Employment Policy is a toolkit created by the Autistic Self Advocacy Network. It is available in a plain-language version and an easy-read version with a glossary and visuals.

https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/toolkits/employment/

4. This guide from U.S. Office of Disability Employment Policy covers “why, when, what, and how” of disclosing in the workplace.

https://bit.ly/ODEPdisclosure

5. The ADA: A Recap in Plain Language is a video by the ARC of Northern Virginia that relies on pictures, simplified words, and slower speaking to make it accessible.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oir6JZhhxc0

Lydia Wayman is an autistic advocate with a B.S. in education and an M.A. in English and nonfiction writing. Through her presentations, writing, and art, she uses her experience to support families and professionals by helping them understand how autistic kids see the world. She has worked at an autism resource center, mentored youth with disabilities, and spoken at Girl Scout events, parent-led groups, and conferences with her autistic peers. Her writing has appeared in magazines, books, and newspapers, and she has helped to develop several training programs and professional courses.

WHO IS LEE CHAMBERS

SYCHOLOGIST • E

W ELLBEING A D v OCATE

I’ve always known and felt like I was “distinct.” Ever since being a young boy, I’ve always had this lingering feeling of difference. Whether it was the way I thought, my sensory challenges, my social difficulties, or my unusual communication, I always seemed outside of the normal, the weird one who lacked common sense.

My early years were interesting, reflecting back. I was academically strong in Math and Science and was fueled by competing with others. I could tell the time on a clock before the age of 3 and had a clock as a birthday cake at my third birthday to showcase my ability. I was also a strong reader, reading above my age consistently and being taken off the reading scheme at school to expose me to different themes.

But alongside my academic prowess, I struggled with some of my social skills and had a deep sense of justice, which often got me into trouble. I held little regard for adults unless they were able to hold a debate and help me learn, and I wasn’t scared to call out things that weren’t consistent or didn’t seem to make logical sense. In many ways, I was seen as talented but always had the potential to cause trouble and not adhere to social norms.

This theme continued as I entered high school, consistently scoring well on exams but still relying on masking to fit into my social circle, the more accepting intellectual group. Things started to boil over as I was coming to the end of my time there, as I started puberty and became more rebellious and unwilling to conform to expectations that I felt were unreasonable or unjustified. This resulted in some teaching staff thinking I had problems at home, yet every time I found myself in the headteacher’s office, I ended up walking out being told, “It’s hard to punish you when you put such a compelling case forward for why you ended up here!”

By Lee Chambers

At 16, I left school for college, with sudden freedom outside of the rigid educational system. I had no school friends attending the same college, so it was a whole new set of social rules to learn and adapt to. This was challenging, and I found myself masking and trying to be as neurotypical as possible to fit in, which led to me struggling academically, using alcohol in a negative way, and behaving in a way to impress others, rather than expressing myself.

But growing up in the 1990s, there was no awareness of neurodiversity, and I’m fairly confident I hadn’t heard of autism until I was at University and had a level of independence. Coincidentally, University was also one of the most difficult periods of my life, trying to live independently and mask my way to a normal student existence. With one of my strong interests being how humans behave and interact, I was able to build frameworks and structures to model typical behavior and mask effectively. Sadly, this same aptitude led me to severe autistic burnout and mental health challenges, forcing me home and out of University for a year to recover.

Continued on page

A year at home gave me time to start to reflect and become more self-aware of my childhood and the journey I’d been on. The feeling of difference was there, but also I started to see the strengths that I had, the things I found simple and natural that others struggled with. I made a decision to go back to University and finish my studies in International Business with Psychology. My efforts and awareness were validated when I graduated in 2007, at a time I had felt that life was falling away from me.

become more resolute in my frustration that there were better ways to do things. When the financial crash hit in 2008, I was made redundant, which caused an element of sadness as I felt I was making progress. Looking back, I was gradually building a prison for myself on the idea that a career was the only metric of success.

My skill set and natural affinity for numbers and patterns led me into a graduate scheme at a national bank here in the UK, with designs to go into Financial Risk and Leadership. However, as many junior roles begin, I found myself doing tasks which didn’t fit my skill set. This was challenging, but it was even more frustrating to be able to see better ways to complete tasks and create efficiencies while being dismissed as inexperienced and not knowing my place within the corporate structure.

The open office was noisy, the strip lights were intense, and I didn’t particularly enjoy leaving in the morning. The saving grace was that some of the people I worked with were friendly and accommodating. My results were good, and I was definitely attracting attention, but I started to

This led me to take a role in local government creating efficiencies, which was very hard for a junior employee to do effectively. Again I excelled in handling data, spotting patterns and simplifying processes, but I felt undervalued and unable to make a real difference.

This feeling of unappreciation became the seed of starting a business where I could make all the difference. Six months in, I launched PhenomGames, a video game distribution business, for a variety of reasons. Firstly, I’d had to move back home and was living on a mattress in the back of my parent’s house. Secondly, I’d been reading business forums incessantly, building on my strong interest from my youth, learning how to navigate finances, market and sell, manage people, and live away from the typical career pathway.

I’d love to say I became an all-conquering entrepreneur and lived happily ever after, but as with life, that was not the case. I continued to work in local government, trying to make a difference for people’s lives locally. The business grew quickly, leaving me able to buy my first property 18 months in, and then I left that job and worked for a careers charity, helping laid-off people back into work.

I struggled living independently again, but when

cutthroat nature didn’t suit my compassionate, people-focused way of working.

This all changed when my immune system failed in 2014, leaving me unable to walk or look after myself. A year of recovery was tough, but having had a lot of time to reflect, I began to think about how I could use my skills to make more of an impact in the world.

I spent the next four years with my two children, enjoying life with them before they were due to start school. And I’ll be honest, I stopped worrying about my challenges as I was able to control most elements of my life. It only came back onto the radar when we started to pursue a diagnosis for my son. We were surprised, as many parents are, bounced back multiple times, but we decided to invest in a private educational psychologist to try and get some credible evidence, and it’s at this point my journey started. After the parental interviews, the psychologist said to me with a smile that the “apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

my girlfriend moved in, things became easier. I got joy from helping the people I worked with secure meaningful positions, and the business continued to grow, giving me resources as well as the challenges of managing an increasing organization. But I was in a good space, as I could hide away from the spotlight, concentrate on making things work and build my days to fit around my needs.

Entrepreneurship was a good choice for me, allowing me to use my skills to build something that worked in an atypical way, giving me the freedom to design a life around this. This golden period between 2012 and 2014 felt like everything fit into place. I became a father and got married, and the business continued to grow. I left the careers charity and tried my hand working in sports but found the relentless and

This comforting comment led me on my own pathway to diagnosis, which involved both fellow psychologists’ and psychiatrists’ input and the National Health Service. After a backlog, I received my autism diagnosis in 2021. The process required patience, persistence, and an understanding of the system. This has empowered me to speak more openly about it, especially the element of being an autistic entrepreneur and people professional. Since launching our wellbeing and inclusion business, Essentialise, two years ago, we have won a variety of awards, including a Great British Entrepreneur Award.

Receiving my diagnosis was both liberating and frightening. It took me back to many of the emotional memories I am able to strongly recall. It has given me some answers to why my journey has had all the twists and turns. I am now an Ambassador for SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) schools in Lancashire where I live, and I speak on stage about being autistic and how businesses have a role to play in the future of neurodiversity.

Something I am passionate about is the challenges that many autistic individuals have with wellbeing, and reflecting back, I have had challenges with my mental health on my journey. In a world that isn’t designed for us, and where many people’s awareness of neurodiversity is still low, it can be very challenging to find a space and rhythm to use our strengths and pursue our passions while having support for our challenges.

create a more positive sensory experience. We are even working with companies to look at recruitment processes, which are often heavy on talking and less focused on technical ability, to become more autism-friendly and more inclusive. While every autistic individual is unique, we harness some amazing skills if conditions and environments are created for us to thrive.

Another area I am particularly passionate about is where autism intersects with race, community acceptance, and representation in underprivileged groups. I will continue to spread a message of positive representation of Black autistic men, while advocating for increased awareness, understanding, and research for autistic women.

From my perspective, having somebody to talk to is vital. Trying our best to eat well, sensory difficulties considered, as well as prioritizing sleep and finding enjoyable ways to move our bodies are essential. Structuring my days has been important and one of the benefits of running my own business, but not all of us have that option. Self-expression is also so important, and whether it’s through writing, drawing, gardening, or creating, having that outlet gives us a way to both communicate and find enjoyment.

When it comes to the workplace, there is a long way to go, but companies are starting to make a difference for their autistic employees. Some of the things we see and work on are the setting of clear expectations and logical rules, looking at the sensory challenges of offices and modifying where possible, building the overall employee teams’ awareness of autism, and using tools to support challenges.

Working from home can be excellent for some individuals who can tailor their environments, but others are limited by space or lack of opportunity to work from home. Having a fixed desk can also be important, and for some, using headphones can

My big dream is to be a role model for those like my son, the next generation who were diagnosed earlier and are growing up in a more accepting world. They will achieve amazing things if understanding and conditions are created for them to thrive. And I will continue to build Essentialise as a tool for change and to showcase what autistic individuals can do, rather than always focusing on the difficulties and the deficits.

Lee Chambers is a British psychologist, entrepreneur and radio host residing in Preston, UK. He is the founder of PhenomGames and Essentialise Workplace Wellbeing. He has been interviewed by Vogue, The Guardian and Newsweek and is known for analyzing the psychological aspects of the workplaces, wellbeing and colour. He is the host of the Self Aware Entrepreneur Show and was voted in the Top 50 Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Entrepreneurs Under 50 in 2020. Visit: https://leechambers.org

“The feeling of difference was there, but also I started to see the strengths that I had, the things I found simple and natural that others struggled with.” “Entrepreneurship was a good choice for me, allowing me to use my skills to build something that worked in an atypical way, giving me the freedom to design a life around this.”

“While every autistic individual is unique, we harness some amazing skills if conditions and environments are created for us to thrive.”

“I will continue to spread a message of positive representation of Black autistic men, while advocating for increased awareness, understanding, and research for autistic women.”

R ATHINASAMY

Many autistic adults who would like to work have trouble getting and keeping a job where they can be successful. Having extra support while applying, interviewing, and learning a new job could make all the difference.

That is exactly what a job coach does — offers one-on-one support to help an individual prepare for, find, and keep a job that works for them. Job coaches may be called different things, such as employment specialists, job developers, or personal employment consultants.

One of the more common ways to get funding for a job coach is through state Vocational Rehabilitation

programs. Each state runs its own program, but they all provide individualized employment services for adults with disabilities. In some states, Medicaid waivers for autistic adults may include funding for a job coach. There may also be local grants available, and some agencies have the option of self-pay.

When Vijay Rathinasamy, who lives in Virginia, was seeking support in finding a job, he went to Didlake, Inc., a nonprofit agency that provides employment services for adults with disabilities. In addition, Didlake provides job opportunities for people with disabilities through its business services and partnership with three UPS Stores.

With the help of his job coach, Vijay found a job that works for him at Didlake Document Imaging. Vijay shares some of that experience here with Zoom Autism Magazine readers and then his job coaches share their observations about Vijay’s performance.

Hello Vijay! Tell us about your work at Didlake Document Imaging.

I have worked at Didlake Document Imaging as a Document Clerk for almost four years. I take documents and scan them into the Cloud for various clients like businesses that need employee records stored digitally.

First, I prepare the documents to make sure they are free of staples, separate the pages, and make sure every page is nice and clean so it can go through the scanner easily. After I prep the docs, I run them into a program called Kodak CapturePro — or when the need arises, DocuWare — which captures the scanned documents so that I can look at them for any mistakes such as blank pages. Every now and then, I also make the warehouse neat and tidy.

In particular, I take pride in having done some work for some big important government contracts. One particular client wanted us to inventory their files, so I went to their site in Maryland to do the inventory.

What does having a job mean to you?

Having a job has provided me with a good routine that I can depend on and the chance to interact with my co-workers. My paycheck means I can afford things to support my interests, like video games and art supplies. On that topic, I have a few notebooks for practicing manga-style artwork, one of which I also bring to work with me to work on during lunchtime.

What was your process for working with a job coach to find employment?

Freshly graduated from George Mason University in 2013 with a degree in graphic design, I started

looking for jobs with the Virginia Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS). While there, I heard about Didlake. I came to their Employment Services and started working with a job coach.

Initially, I worked at Didlake’s The UPS Store in Woodbridge, but it wasn’t a great fit for me, so my job coach helped me explore other jobs within Didlake. When I interviewed with Didlake Document Imaging, I got to talk with my future supervisor, Candie Kuehn. We went over my strengths and how I could work on my weaknesses. Ultimately, I impressed her enough to get the job.

How did your job coach help you prepare for your interview?

VIJAY:

My job coach helped me prepare for the interview with a mock interview and useful apps to study. We talked about the way to dress for work — in clean, professional clothes— and about having a generally positive outlook. Even after I landed the job, she made sure I was on task and checked in every so often.

Do you have accommodations or strategies to help you succeed in your job?

My supervisor understands that I work best at my own pace. As long as I do the job competently enough, she doesn’t mind the time I spend on it. I like that I can work at my own pace and interact with colleagues but can also work by myself if I need that time.

Occasionally, I use some visuals and task lists to make sure I index the scanned documents correctly. Most importantly, I am working on strategies to help when I get frustrated with the occasional mishap or work-related stress.

What else would you like to share with Zoom Autism Magazine readers?

In the future, I want to capitalize on my graphic design degree and find myself a dream job in that field. One of these days, when the housing market is nicer, I’ll also look for a new place to live by myself. I hope that sharing my story helps explain the transition to the workforce and I encourage readers to persist in pursuing their careers. Your resources are there; don’t be afraid to use them.

Now we’d like to transition to your job coaches! Hello Lindsay & Kylie! Both of you have supported Vijay. What observations have you noticed?

Kylie Hall, Vijay’s prior job coach:

I have observed Vijay as being a consistently dedicated and hard worker throughout my time supporting him over two years. Vijay’s work ethic has been the impetus to increasing his time to where he is now over the course of his employment. Vijay has also had the opportunity to dabble in his passion, graphic design, for other departments while employed at Didlake Document Imaging. As his coach, I have seen Vijay develop socially as well as professionally through building rapport and forging relationships with his coworkers.

Can you tell us more about the Supported Employment Process in your region and at Didlake?

In the state of Virginia, many individuals with disabilities are referred for job coaching by the Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services. Then, the person can be set up with an agency that provides employment services, like Didlake.

At Didlake, the process starts with an intake interview, where job seekers and their families are asked about their strengths. If the individual has a recent Individualized Education Program (IEP) from high school, the agency also takes that into consideration. The initial meeting lasts about two hours so the job coach has plenty of time to really get to know the individual.

Lindsay Crytzer, Vijay’s current job coach:

Vijay is very independent. He knows exactly what he is supposed to do and has an 80-90 percent accuracy. One of his best qualities for the job is he can prep and scan a whole box by himself. Additionally, he is very good with computers, so this is something that came naturally. He has grown independent over the years.

Lindsay Crytzer: The first questions I ask are “Do you want to work?” and “What are your interests?” If someone wants to work in a hospital one day, we go over what are the steps we can do to get there. Then, we hit the ground running.

During a situational assessment, the job coach and job seeker go to a job site to complete some tasks. This real-world experience allows the job coach to see if the individual is able to follow written or verbal

directions. They assess what skills the person has already learned that could help them do a job. Based on that information, the job coach starts to develop a plan for a specific job. They work with the individual on “soft skills” and anything else they need to learn to be successful.

LINDSAY:

We are there to help train the employer as well as the individual to build a cohesive relationship. All individuals are different, so it is hard to put a timeline on the process. The goal is to work as quickly as possible while respecting everyone’s needs and wants.

Once they are ready — steady — we refer them to follow-along services. We check in on them once a month to make sure they still enjoy the job and want to continue. Then once a year, we have a more comprehensive check-in — how are you getting to work? Are you still happy? What are some supports that you have?

State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Agencies administer State VR Services, State Supported Employment Services, and Independent Living Services in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and four Territories.

To find a State Vocational Rehabilitation office near you, visit: https://rsa.ed.gov/about/states

To learn more about Didlake Inc.’s employment services for people with disabilities, visit: https://www.didlake.org

Vijay Rathinasamy is a document preparation clerk for Didlake Document Imaging in Manassas, Virginia. Rathinasamy graduated from George Mason University in 2013 with a degree in graphic design and joined Didlake’s employment services program soon thereafter. He will be celebrating four years with Didlake Document Imaging in January 2023 and a total of seven years with Didlake this October.

by CONNER CUMMINGS

Cummings ings+ Goings

A JOB FOR EvERYONE

By Conner Cummings

It has been a while! We wanted the dream of Zoom to continue to be reimagined, growing along with you and your needs! Stories about the autistic experience live on in every one of YOU!

Thanks to our new partnership with Autism Empowerment, an autistic and neurodivergent-led nonprofit organization, you are seeing a new look and online home for this publication and all our past issues. We will continue to evolve as we move forward.

Together we can learn from each other. We can educate others so that bills can be created and laws can be passed that truly assist people with disabilities. This will be done by you. Nothing about US Without US! We will lift each other up and work as a team. Together we are strong.

Each of us has gifts to give and strengths to share. If you know me at all, you know I love Disney and I use many sayings in my communication. Some I get from others, especially Disney, and some I make up on my own. I even make up my own words, and that is ok! I am creative! Never try to blend in when you were born to stand out!

The theme of this issue is “A Job for Everyone” because that is what we want to achieve. If you can and want to work, we want to be a part of the solution to help make that happen.

According to facts I have found, as of July 2022, there were more than 11 million job openings across the nation’s labor market.

They say this is twice the number of workers looking for jobs. This should mean that all of us with disabilities should be able to find jobs, but that is not the case.

I read that the percentage of the labor force for people with disabilities has increased to 37.3 %. I am very glad it is growing. This is, however, well short of the overall workforce which is almost double that amount. Employers have an untapped resource in the 21 million working-age people with disabilities living in America today.

To employers: This is up to you to change, to hire some great employees.

One of our goals in this issue is to educate and work to ensure that each employer has a plan in place to hire these amazing individuals who truly want to work. We can all work together. I work with the Arc of Northern Virginia and the Autism Society of Northern Virginia at my local, state, and national chapters. I work with strong affiliates like Autistic Self Advocacy Network, REV UP, Autism Empowerment and so many more. I work with friends across the U.S. to help make a difference.

Reflecting on this issue.

In this issue, you will learn how to ask for accommodations and more about the protection of the ADA.

You will meet a handful of people who are working jobs that match their passions — some who started businesses themselves and others who reached out to those fields.

You will be introduced to an individual who joined a company that supplies job coaches and how that works for him.

You will also meet our cover person, who has struggled within the workforce, yet he later created and launched a business he built around being able to be himself, stay out of the spotlight and do what he does best.

I spoke on Thursday, September 8th, 2022 as part of the Virginia Disability Commission and Arc of Northern Virginia at our state capitol to address the federal problem of the $2,523.00 cap to keep your Medicaid waiver (if applicable). This cap keeps many people from working, or they are limited to how many hours they can work. They cannot risk losing their benefits for a job that may not last for them, and a job that pays too little to pay for the help they need.

This prevents careers and takes away independence. Many cannot afford to lose their benefits and the cap amount is too low. The federal government should raise the cap! In the meantime, all states can change how they count income to give people more opportunities to work.

Gratitude and encouragement.

Thank you, Lydia Wayman, for creating a very helpful and interesting issue for our first issue back. Thank you to all of you that contributed.

If you are able and want to work, I hope you find that special job that you enjoy. If working is not for you at this point in life, I hope you are enjoying your

own passion. The many-ness of you is what makes everyone so unique in their own special way.

Wear Yourself Proud!

Autism through many lenses has multiple meanings.

I am proud to be displaying some of my favorite photographs throughout this issue. Photography is one of my passions.

Thank you for reading and sharing our issue. I look forward to connecting with you again in our next issue which will be announced soon.

Reach out if you would like to be a Guest Editor, a writer or if you want to answer the Big Question for any of our upcoming issues.

Send us an email at ZoomAutism@gmail.com and we look forward to hearing from you.

Please and thank you, Conner Cummings

Facebook: Zoom Autism Twitter: @ZoomAutism

Conner Cummings is 30 years old and proud to be an autistic advocate. He was recently honored with a commendation from the state of Virginia House and Senate. Conner serves on the Virginia Disability Commission. He facilitates disability forums to include presidential, federal, and state level, advocating to ensure a sensory-friendly forum.

Conner has won numerous awards, including 2015 Advocate of the Year by the Autism Society of America and the Coordinator/Photographer for Zoom Autism Magazine. He accomplished all this and more despite struggling with verbal communication. He instead utilizes his writing skills, organizational abilities, unique viewpoint and perspective to respect all sides. See him on Facebook at Conquer For Conner

“If you are able and want to work, I hope you find that special job that you enjoy. If working is not for you at this point in life, I hope you are enjoying your own passion.”

“The theme of this issue is ‘A Job for Everyone’ because that is what we want to achieve. If you can and want to work, we want to be a part of the solution to help make that happen.”

Conner Cummings Photography

10 Hobbies To Help You Earn Money

By Karen Krejcha

A slightly different variation of this article originally appeared in the Fall 2021 issue of Spectrum Life Magazine. When Autism Empowerment learned that Zoom Autism Magazine was producing an issue themed around Employment For All, we were excited to republish this piece in Zoom with new updates. Enjoy!

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic started in early 2020, many people in autistic, neurodivergent and disability-related communities were either unemployed or underemployed for their skills and abilities.

Although the pandemic left many people unemployed, it also caused many people to rethink their options for earning money and searching for meaningful opportunities. Did it make sense to go back to a J.O.B. that left them Just Over Broke after paying bills? Was the work they were doing enjoyable and purposeful? Was it time to go back to school, pick up a new trade or switch career paths?

Turning your passions into profits is about finding ways that you can use your giftings, strengths and specialized interests into opportunities for extra income. Whether that means a part-time side gig, doing freelance contract work or creating your own entrepreneurial empire (hello Shark Tank), that’s up to you.

If you’ve been thinking about ways you or your loved one can earn extra money from hobbies or special interests, we’re here to help get the creative process going by sharing resources and encouraging you to brainstorm.

Here are 10 hobby categories that can help you put cash in the bank!

1. Writing — Do you enjoy creative or technical writing? Can you clearly convey your thoughts and insights via written words? Are you good at research or interviewing?

Clients looking for good content will pay freelancers for blog posts, articles, copywriting, marketing, manuals, and other creative content. Consider starting with topics where you have specialized knowledge or that you are particularly passionate about.

Money earning ideas:

• Nonfiction articles, blogs, business content, journalism.

• Fiction and poetry.

• Comic books, greeting cards, or video game writing.

• Proofreading and editing.

• Grant writing for nonprofit organizations.

• Building a blog and monetizing it through affiliate programs.

• Copywriting - the art and science of writing text that sells something.

Resources to check out:

• Upwork connects businesses with freelancers, independent talent, and agencies around the globe. www.upwork.com

• Writer’s Digest - Thousands of opportunities for writers — Listings for book publishers, magazines, awards, and literary agents. Specialized versions include Children’s Writers & Illustrator’s Market, Poet’s Market, and Novel & Short Story Market. Published annually: www.writersdigest.com

• ProBlogger - The home for bloggers wanting to create and grow their blogs, and then go professional to make money blogging. www.problogger.com

Fun Facts:

Starting with this issue (#19), Zoom Autism Magazine has a new home and partnership with Autism Empowerment, an autistic and disability-led nonprofit organization founded in Vancouver, Washington in June 2011.

Autism Empowerment has been producing a quarterly print and digital publication called Spectrum Life Magazine since June 2016 and uses freelance neurodivergent writers, artists and creators in each issue.

Both Zoom & Spectrum Life are written by and for autistic and neurodiverse communities and do use freelancers but there are some key differences.

Zoom Autism Magazine (periodic, no page limit):

• Special theme each issue (e.g. Employment, Powerful Women, Health)

• New Guest Editor each issue. (Issue #19 is Lydia Wayman)

• Digital only. Published online and in blog format. No set length

• National / International audience

• Recurring columns: Letter from Editor, Cummings and Goings, This Issue’s Big Question

Spectrum Life Magazine (quarterly, 48-56 pages):

• 6 featured sections: Advocacy, Lifespan, Recreation, Education, Health & Wellness, Therapy

• Same Editor each issue (Karen Krejcha)

• Print & Digital. Copies distributed to 650+ locations in Washington & Oregon

• Mailed subscriptions nationally

• Recurring columns: Stories from the Spectrum, Ask Spectrum Life, #AskingAutistics with Lyric Holmans, A Day in the Life of Autistic Adults, Navigating with Niko Boskovic (new)

You can access all current and past issues of both publications at www.SpectrumLife.org and www.AutismEmpowerment.org.

2. Photography — If you have an artistic eye, creativity, and technical ability, you may be able to make money with your photography. At some point, you might wish to start your own business and find your own clients. You can also find side gigs by searching for companies that look for photographers on an occasional basis.

Money earning ideas:

• Sell or license photos on stock websites like iStock, ShutterStock and BigStock.

• Sell printed or digital copies of your work.

Continued from page 42

• Sell your photos on clothing and other products through on-demand marketplaces like Zazzle, CafePress, and TeeSpring.

• Freelance photography services for businesses or nonprofits.

• Start a photography blog or YouTube channel.

• Enter photo contests.

Resources to check out:

• The Ultimate List of Free Business Resources for Photographers https://bit.ly/freephotoresources

3. Pets and Animals — You don’t have to have a degree in veterinary science to turn your passion for pets into a rewarding experience emotionally and financially.

Money earning ideas:

• Pet sitting -Caring for a pet in its own home while the owner is away.

• Professional dog walking.

• Mobile pet grooming service.

• Create pet-themed clothing, treats, art or gifts to sell online or at craft fairs.

• Pet photography or art portraits.

Resources to check out:

• Wag! - Website where people go to find trusted pet sitters, pet caregivers, and dog walkers in their local area. https://wagwalking.com/

• Etsy.com - Global online marketplace specializing in handmade items. Check out “pet gifts” for inspiration. www.etsy.com

4. Shopping — If you are enthusiastic about shopping, you may be the kind of person who likes looking for the best deals or keeping up with interesting trends. Did you know you can earn money by shopping or running errands for others too?

Money earning ideas:

• Grocery delivery services - Full service or in-store. Look for gig work with Shipt.com or Instacart.

• Mystery shopping - A mystery shopper is an independent paid contractor whose assignment is to visit a location and secretly collect data. The location could be a store, restaurant, attraction, hotel or another place that sells products or services.

• Merchandiser - Helps with the promotional display of retail products so as to maximize sales. May be a contractor or an employee.

• Personal shopper or stylist.

• Running errands for others.

Resources to check out:

• Get started as an independent contractor in mystery shopping or merchandising. From MSPA Americas, the professional trade association for this field.

https://www.mspa-americas.org/getting-started-contractor

• TaskRabbit connects busy people in need of help with trusted local Taskers who can lend a hand with everything from shopping and errands to home repairs.

https://www.taskrabbit.com/become-a-tasker

Continued on page 44

5. Sports and the Outdoors — Your love for sports or the outdoors offers opportunities for a variety of different directions depending on your level of expertise.

Money earning ideas:

• Teach a fitness class in-person or remotely.

• Become a travel writer.

• Gameday monitor for Major League Baseball.

• Sportswriter or photographer.

• Camp counselor.

• Create and sell sports products or artwork.

• Buy and sell sports memorabilia and collectibles.

Resources to check out:

• Pitch. Travel. Write. Successful travel writing and how to sell your stories. https://www.pitchtravelwrite.com

• Can you make money from sports memorabilia? https://bit.ly/sportsdailymemorabilia

6. Arts, Crafts and Creative Design — There are a wide range of artistic hobbies that fit here. Some include: drawing, cartooning, graphic design, knitting, jewelry making, pottery and woodworking.

Money earning ideas:

• Sell your art or creative works in-person or at craft shows. Sell online at your own website, marketplaces like Etsy or galleries like Saatchi Art.

• Sell on-demand customizable art products through sites like Printful.

• Teach a class or offer video tutorials on how your work is created.

• Create graphics, fonts or templates to sell online at CreativeMarket.

• Create code scripts, video, music & audio, website themes, design assets, stock photos and 3D models to sell at Envato Marketplace.

Resources to check out:

• Artist’s Handbook from Saatchi Arthttps://bit.ly/saatcharthandbook

• Creative Market - https://creativemarket.com

• Behance (part of Adobe) is the world’s largest creative network for showcasing and discovering creative work. Participation is free. www.behance.net

• Envato Market is a collection of niche marketplaces where creators sell and license their items directly to customers. https://bit.ly/allaboutenvato

• Printful - Choose from 292 customizable products in our catalog to create your own art collection. From wall art to phone cases and dresses—anything can be a blank canvas for your masterpiece! www.printful.com

Fun Facts:

• Autistic entrepreneur Spencer Kelly started The Expedition Soap Company at age 15. He was featured in the Winter 2017 issue of Spectrum Life Magazine in An Expedition to Entrepreneurship. https://bit.ly/spencerkelly

• Autistic artist Connor Wortendyke creates colorful vibrant paintings and jewelry that are sold online and at Etsy. He was featured in Art By Connor in the Winter 2019 issue of Spectrum Life Magazine https://bit.ly/artbyconnor

7. Music — Whether you sing, write music, or play an instrument, there are a variety of ways to turn your tunes into bank notes.

Money earning ideas:

• Earn money playing private gigs like weddings, corporate events or parties.

• Offer a personalized jingle, birthday song or singing telegram.

• Teach music lessons in-person or virtually.

• Earn streaming royalties through digital distribution.

• Earn through social video monetization at Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

• Sell beats and samples online at sites like Airbit and SoundClick.

• Write and sell or license your music and song lyrics.

Resources to check out:

• DIYMusician provides tips for independent musicians. https://diymusician.cdbaby.com

• Songbay is a unique marketplace for the sale of original music, lyrics and poems. https://songbay.co

• Airbit is a global online beat marketplace and platform made for independent music makers. https://airbit.com

8. Cooking and Baking — Do you love experimenting in the kitchen? Do you consider yourself a foodie? Whether you’re a bake sale queen or a culinary king, here are a few ideas to earn money while sharing your love of cooking with others.

Money earning ideas:

• Teach cooking classes online, after school or at birthday parties.

• Offer food tours, tastings or dinner parties through BonAppetour.

• Become a personal chef for seniors, families on the go or people with special dietary needs and restrictions.

• Sell at your local farmers market or bake sale.

• Freelance with local caterers.

• Become a home brewer or brewmaster.

• Create a cooking channel on YouTube.

Resources to check out:

• Healthy Hands Cooking provide training, tools and certification to support independent cooking instructors. www.healthyhandscooking.com

• United States Personal Chef Association (USPCA)www.uspca.com and www.HireAChef.com

• BonAppetour is the world’s leading platform for foodies to offer delicious food experiences to travelers and foodies and make money at the same time. www.bonappetour.com/e/be-a-host

9. Acting or Theater — Although acting can be difficult to break into as a full-time profession, if you’re interested in utilizing your performance or public speaking skills in a part-time or local capacity, consider these opportunities.

Money earning ideas:

• Voiceover work - Animation, audio books, commercial, corporate, e-learning, narration, video games.

• Promotional model - contracts on behalf of a client to raise awareness or demand for a product or service.

• Entertainer at kids birthday parties or special events.

• Standardized patient - simulate various health conditions for medical students to practice interview and exam skills in safe learning environment.

• Being an extra in a movie or television show.

Resources to check out:

• KMR Talent - Kazarian/Measures/Ruskin & Associates is one of the country’s leading bi-coastal talent agencies. The KMR Diversity Department specializes in character actors and models with diverse disabilities for Film, Television, Commercials, Theatre, Print and Live Appearances. https://www.kmrtalent.com/diversity

• Weeble Mountain is a casting agency in Portland, Oregon that casts actors, models, real people, and extras for photo and video projects filming anywhere. They specialize in real people casting with a focus on inclusive authentic and diverse media.

https://weeblemountain.com

• PHAME is a fine and performing arts academy in Portland, Oregon serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. www.phamepdx.org

• Gravy for the Brain - Voiceover artist training. www.gravyforthebrain.com

10. Computers, Gaming and Technology —

Whether you’re an avid gamer, a social media enthusiast, a budding programmer or you’ve always had an interest in how technology works, there are a variety of ways to earn money remotely.

Money earning ideas:

• Computer support help desk and technical support.

• Freelance Quality Assurance Tester.

• Data entry or Data labeling.

• Game testing or game design.

• Virtual assistant.

• Website programming and development.

• Application development. Resources to check out:

• TopTal provides freelancing opportunities for developers, designers, QA testers. Ultimate Freelancing Guide: www.toptal.com/ultimate-freelancing-guide

• Daivergent provides accessible, all-virtual work readiness to job-seekers in the neurodiversity and disability communities. https://daivergent.com/job-readiness

• Dice.com is a job opening website specializing in tech.

• Google Career Certificates - Flexible online training in IT Support, UX Design, Data Analytics and Android Development. https://grow.google/certificates

We hope this list got you creatively thinking of new possibilities to elevate the earning potential of your hobbies and special interests.

Here are a few more resources we thought would be of value.

Other gig and freelance websites not previously mentioned:

• Belay offers remote contract positions for Virtual Assistants, Virtual Bookkeepers and Social Media Strategists. www.belaysolutions.com

• Fiverr connects businesses with freelancers offering digital services in 300+ categories. www.fiverr.com

• FlexJobs offers flexible and remote work from home job opportunities. www.flexjobs.com

• Freelancer offers a wide range of freelance opportunities. www.freelancer.com

• Thumbtack helps you find local professionals for pretty much anything. www.thumbtack.com

• Voice over - www.Voices123.com, www.Voices.com

Mentoring, Employment, and Entrepreneurship:

• The VIA Survey of Character Strengths is a free self-assessment that takes less than 15 minutes and provides a wealth of information to help you understand your best qualities. www.viacharacter.org

• SCORE has the largest network of free volunteer small business mentors in the nation. www.score.org

• Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) - www.dol.gov/agencies/odep

• The National Center for Disability Entrepreneurship (NCDE) at The Viscardi Center educates and transforms innovative self-starters to achieve self-employment success. www.viscardicenter.org/ncde

We each have talents and strengths that we have been gifted with. One of the things we enjoy doing the most at Autism Empowerment and Zoom Autism Magazine is helping to empower people in autistic and autism communities to find and connect with their purpose.

Should you become a freelancer or start your own business, we invite you to sign up for our free online directory listing. We wish you the very best in all your entrepreneurial and career endeavors!

Karen Krejcha is the co-founder and Executive Director of Autism Empowerment, a nonprofit organization that enriches and empowers neurodivergent youth, adults and families. She is the Editor of Spectrum Life Magazine, host of the Autism Empowerment Podcast and founder of Spectrum of Voices LLC, a disability consulting company dedicated to uplifting the underserved.

Karen was diagnosed on the autism spectrum in her 40s, after the diagnosis of her two children. She has been married to Autism Empowerment co-founder John Krejcha for over 30 years and is devoted to promoting a culture of acceptance and empowerment within autism, neurodivergent and disabilities communities worldwide.

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/karenkrejcha | Twitter: @AmbassadorForAE

hT is Issue’s Big Questi o n

?In every issue, Zoom Autism Magazine editorial staff ask one question to #ActuallyAutistic people through social media on Twitter, Facebook and personal relationships.

I believe that the employer shouldn’t make assumptions, and instead have a space where the employee and the employer and/or HR could sit down and discuss possible accommodations that may be needed to make the environment feel safe. The autism spectrum is very diverse and possible accommodations will vary from person to person. For example, a sensory-friendly environment for one person might be having brighter lights to be able to not get scared, while another person might request the lights to be dimmed slightly as bright lights give them headaches. — Ryan K., Vancouver, WA

Here’s what they had to say:

Remove preconceptions, listen to autistic people, make accommodations where necessary/able just as they would with anyone else, enjoy the many benefits of a diverse workforce. — Paula N. @paula_jn_

Accommodate neurodivergent employees — Amanda J.

An employer could help him by giving a task to keep them on track during downtime or friendly reminders when learning to help manage his time and duties while starting a new job. — Logan S., Vancouver, WA

Presume competence! In order to learn more about the diversity of the autism spectrum, encourage employees to read publications like Zoom Autism Magazine and Spectrum Life Magazine and form positive relationships with autistic-led nonprofits like Autism Empowerment.

— KK @AmbassadorForAE

Make it clear when hiring and promoting internally that neurodiversity is encouraged and a meaningful part of your organization’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative. When creating job description language, make sure it is specific, clear, and skills-focused.

— Fernando T., San Jose, CA

When feasible, allow employees an option to work from home. For many, this offers a more comfortable and controlled work environment which allows for greater productivity and less anxiety. Although many people on the autism spectrum like consistent schedules, others will appreciate the opportunity to have flexible hours and will produce higher quality work.

— Karen K., Spectrum of Voices

Don’t force workplace socialization or small talk. Give the benefit of the doubt for our social anxiety snafus and assume positive intent. If you need to give social suggestions, ask questions or give feedback, please do so one-on-one and do not embarrass us in front of our peers. — Stephen T.

Please don’t single us out. Celebrate neurodiversity throughout your workplace and provide opportunities for us to feel included and welcomed, as you would with any employee. — Chris

If the person is having struggles, sit down with them and find out what is going on, there might be a bigger issue behind it and in the long run, they will value that and be one of your most loyal employees. — Lawrence J.

What is one thing you think employers should know or do to support autistic employees?

A UTISM B USINESS D IRECTORY

Although October may be National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), we advocate for disability employment and entrepreneurial awareness all year long.

Autism Empowerment, Zoom Autism Magazine and our sister publication Spectrum Life Magazine all want to do our part to showcase, empower and support autistic-owned businesses, freelancers and allies of our communities.

These individuals and businesses recently responded to our social media invitation to list their entrepreneurial pursuits in our Autism Business Directory.

Listings with an * are autistic-owned.

Arts, Crafts and Handmade

* Robyn Bailey

The OtherWorld Menagerie Cleveland, OH robyn@dragonadventures.net (845) 397-7627

https://www.otherworldmenagerie.com/

Facebook: otherworldmenagerie Twitter: @Otherworldplush Instagram: @OtherworldMenagerie TikTok: @otherworldmenagerie

The OtherWorld Menagerie is run by Robyn, who is an Autistic Queer fiber artist. She has been sewing and crafting fantasy creature plush for many years now. She hopes to make the world a more magical place with her work.

* Spencer Kelly

The Expedition Soap Company Lake Orion, MI team@expeditionsoaps.com (845) 397-7627

https://expeditionsoaps.com

Facebook: expeditionsoaps Twitter: @expeditionsoaps Instagram: @expeditionsoaps TikTok: @expeditionsoaps

I create and sell handmade organic Shea Butter skin care products that are moisturizing and skin-softening. I started my business when I was out of 9th grade, six years ago!

Consultants and Freelancers

* Arianne Garcia

7002 Scenic Sunset San Antonio, TX 78429 ariannegarcia214@gmail.com (210) 378-2462 www.arianneswork.com

Facebook: arianneswork Twitter: @Arianneswork

If you need an experienced editor, copywriter, grant writer, a consultation about SEO, or a new productive addition to your team, I’m your person.

* Jenna D’Ottavio Los Angeles, CA jennaclementines@gmail.com

Twitter: @Jennaclementine Instagram: @Jennaclementine TikTok: @Jennaclementines LinkedIn: Jenna D’Ottavio

I provide research informed strategy to scale business + expand accessibility.

* Karen Krejcha

Spectrum of Voices, LLC Vancouver, WA 98683 karen@spectrumofvoices.com www.spectrumofvoices.com

Facebook: SpectrumOfVoices Twitter: @AmbassadorForAE LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenkrejcha

Spectrum of Voices is an autistic-owned business that provides Autism and Neurodiversity consulting, training, and support to individuals, families, businesses, nonprofits, and places of faith. Other services include freelance writing, copy editing, proofreading, research, public speaking, and podcast guesting.

* Lydia Wayman

2607 College Park Rd. Allison Park, PA 15101 lydiawayman@gmail.com

I am a freelance editor with a master’s degree in English and nonfiction writing. I also present, write, and create content related to autism, such as educational courses for professionals and programs for autistic people.

Educational Courses and Services

* Andrew Arboe Driving with Autism 820 Farmington Ave West Hartford, CT 06119 andrew.arboe@autismdriving.com (833) 593-7483 https://autismdriving.com/

Facebook: autisticdriving Instagram: @drivingwithautism YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/planningacrossthespectrum LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autismdriving/

Driving with Autism is an online driver readiness program where any interested autistic or neurodiverse individual wants to learn how to drive and to obtain their license. We have a seasonal live eight-part webinar series that breaks driving down into sizable segments with autism contexts.

Tracie Kelly

The IEP Advantage Lake Orion, MI tracie@iepadvantage.com (845) 397-7627 https://iepadvantage.com

Facebook: IEPadvantage

I help parents of special needs school-aged children become IEP Parents - INFORMED | EMPOWERED | PREPARED Parents by offering my course to fully prepare parents for their IEP meetings.

I created this company because of my son with autism. I struggled with IEPs until I created a system to become fully prepared for the IEP meeting. Now, I’m sharing this system (a course I created) with parents in the USA.

Financial Planning

* Andrew Komarow Planning Across the Spectrum 820 Farmington Ave West Hartford, CT 06119 andrew@planningacrossthespectrum.com (860) 606-7060

https://planningacrossthespectrum.com/

Facebook: planningacrossthespectrum Twitter: @Planningacross YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/planningacrossthespectrum LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/planning-across-the-spectrum/

Planning Across the Spectrum helps individuals and families of any disability with financial advising and ongoing supports. We also help companies with their benefits and 401k systems to make them more inclusive.

Graphic Design

Dave Born Lummi, WA 98262 davecylinderx@gmail.com https://www.coroflot.com/daveborn/portfolio

I am a Creative Director with over 30 years experience working with nonprofits, small start-ups and businesses of all sizes and types. Specialties include: graphic design, magazine layout, and copywriting. These entrepreneurs and many others are also featured in our Spectrum Life Provider Directory at www.ZoomAutism.org.

If you are interested in being added to a future directory listing, please visit:

www.surveymonkey.com/r/zoomautismdirectory or scan the QR code below

Thank you for being an Ambassador for Acceptance of All Abilities and for supporting our neurodiverse potential.

Conner Cummings

Websites: www.ZoomAutism.org www.AutismEmpowerment.org www.SpectrumLife.org /ZoomAutism /AutismEmpowerment /SpectrumLifeMagazine @ZoomAutism @AutismEmpowerment @SpectrumLifeMag @ZoomAutismMagazine @AutismEmpowerment

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