Founded in 2010 and located in New York City, Integrate Autism Employment Advisors (Integrate) helps organizations identify, retain and recruit qualified professionals on the autism spectrum. Their mission is to increase inclusive competitive employment opportunities for college graduates with autism.

Int egrate (previously  known as ASTEP -  Asperger Syndrome Trainin g & Employment Partnership) works nationally to help employers create a more inclusive work environment for existing employees with Asperger Syndrome (AS) and similar autism spectrum profiles. The or ganization does this by educating employers about autism in the workplace, as well as recruiting professionals with an autism spectrum profile and seeing that they are successfully integrated into the work environment. Integrate provides corporate education and training to help employers identify job candidates, develop recommended accommodations, train employers about the individual employee and provide ongoing support.

   
1. The interest in companies employing individuals with AS/similar autism spectrum profiles seems to be growing. Why do you think that is?
We have seen a marked increase in interest over the past 2-3 years, especially with large employers, including neurodiversity as part o f their overall diversity and inclusion efforts in their organizations. I think the reason behind this is two-fold. First, many employers are realizing they already have employees with neurodiverse profiles and they need to become more effective at understanding the needs of these employees and how to accommodate them so they can be successful in their organizations. Second, businesses, especially those beyond technology, are recognizing some of the traits, such as laser focus, attention to detail, and accuracy that employees o n the spectrum can bring to the workplace.

2. What trends do you see regarding individuals with AS/similar autism spectrum profiles transitioning from college to the work environment?
Young adults on the autism spectrum are graduating from college today in record numbers. Early diagnosis, interventions and support services through college are resulting in a growing number of children (35% today) being able to attain educational levels beyond high school. The next area of support that needs to develop is transitioning these individuals into appropriate, competitive employment. At Integrate, we believe that will happen through employer education and training and changing the paradigm of vocational placement to one that meets the needs of the employer and the individuals.

3. How does Integrate help individuals move into the workplace?
One of the best ways we've found to educate employers is to introduce them to college students and graduates on the spectrum. We do this through our Employer Connect program. This program also teaches employment skills to the young adults on the spectrum - such as interviewing, developing a 30 second elevator pitch, effective resume writing, understanding corporate cultures, networking - to bridge the gap (and prevent missteps) from college through employment. Integrate's Employer Connect program introduces individuals with AS / similar autism spectrum profiles to executives and human resource professionals from Fortune 500 companies; which leads to learning about one another, and practicing job search processes and networking skills. After participating in our Employer Connect program, some employers want to become more involved in supporting our program participants. One such employer was LinkedIn, so we created a mentoring program with them that connected the participants with LinkedIn employees who helped the young adults on the spectrum find interviews for competitive positions in their field of choice, resulting in one of the participants obtaining a full-time job.

4. H ow  can the Image Impact International co mmunity support Integrate?

Integrate's goal is to increase inclusive compet itive employment opportunities for college graduates with autism spectrum profiles. Integrate works with employers by offering end-to-end solutions for hiring, onboarding and retaining employees including:

(1) assessment of the employer's diversity and inclusion practices and competencies around employing individuals on the spectrum;
(2) identification of the employer's hiring needs and determination of which positions might be appropriate for individuals on the spectrum;
(3) preparation of a plan to develop the necessary organizational competencies to be a successful employer of individuals with Asperger's and similar autism spectrum profiles (includes necessary education and training);
(4) recruitment of individuals with Asperger's; and
(5) creating ongoing support for the new employee(s) and their managers through mentoring and other programs.

If you know of a business or employer who is looking for qualities such a loyalty, honesty, quality of work, rate of results and innovation, then let's make a connection through IntegrateAdvisors.org.