When we last spoke to Dr. Temple Grandin about diagnosing and caring for young children on the spectrum, the world-renowned author and speaker on autism and neurodiversity told us: “You have got to do something about [it] and work with them now. Start teaching them. The worst thing to do is nothing. Don’t wait for services; you got to start working with this kid now.”

We Have A Problem Today

Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder have seen increasingly limited opportunities for work experience and career development after graduating from high school.

National data indicates that most adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder are either unemployed or underemployed, with estimates ranging as high as 90%. The statistics are staggering, and the inability to live independent lives can lead families and individuals affected by ASD into depression, isolation, and loss of hope for the future.

ROUX, A.M., ET AL., POSTSECONDARY EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCES AMONG YOUNG ADULTS WITH AN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER. J AM ACAD CHILD ADOLESC PSYCHIATRY, 2013. 52(9): P. 931-9.

SHATTUCK, P. T., NARENDORF, S. C., COOPER, B., STERZING, P. R., WAGNER, M., & TAYLOR, J. L. (2012). POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT AMONG YOUTH WITH AN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER. PEDIATRICS, 129, 1042–1049.

CREDIT: NPR; SOURCE: NATIONAL LONGITUDINAL TRANSITION STUDY-2/A.J. DREXEL AUTISM INSTITUTE

We Need Your Help

With your generous support, ICare4Autism will be able to offer an interactive, visual software system that serves as a personalized transition plan and profile for students prior to graduating high school, increasing their employment opportunities. Once the necessary funding is in place, we will quickly work to implement the system in two states to test, revise and expand the application nationally. Once perfected, we will expand globally.

Introducing ICare2Work

Promoting Employment Opportunities

ICare2Work is a specialized software system developed to help guidance counselors connect autistic and disabled high school students with local apprenticeship opportunities based on their unique profiles and skillsets. Our app will provide young adults with the readiness skills to transition into the workforce and obtain a well-paying job enabling independent living.

The ICare2Work platform will allow organizations to work together to discover unique strategies proven to work in each state. Our unique mapping system will increase greater collaboration and break down the silo mentality. ICare2Work users will be connected to apprenticeships and higher-learning opportunities availing them to unique data sets pertaining to their particular skill sets.

What’s The Plan?

ICare4Autism has contracted Primal Logic & Data Corporation in Charleston, South Carolina to deliver a user-friendly tool to improve the mapping of apprenticeship and employment opportunities – the ICare2Work app.

Primal has begun the first stage of development for the ICare2Work Minimal Viable Product (MVP). Once implemented, the application will become:

·      A savvy tool for apprenticeship/ employment opportunities, available to education specialists, and individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

·      A unique mapping software system to leverage the visual learning processing strengths of individuals with ASD.

·     A platform based on the renowned Dr. Stephen Shore’s Neurodiversity in the Workplace Curriculum, with tips on successful interviewing techniques, skills development, and appropriate forms of diagnosis disclosure.

·      A guide to allow organizations to discover and visually locate proven strategies in each state, increase greater collaborative efforts and breakdown the silo mentality.

ICare4Autism

Who We Are

As an international organization, ICare4Autism supports services around the world that help individuals with autism become fully integrated members of the community.

Due to Covid-19 our resources have been stretched thin. This giving season, please open your hearts and help us continue assisting the communities we serve while strengthening our alliances with medical professionals, educators, scientists and specialists around the globe. 

ICare4Autism serves as the lead global non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and adults who live with autism. Founded in 2004 by Dr. Joshua Weinstein, ICare4Autism has established itself as the catalyst that drives collaboration among similar international institutions to discover the etiology of autism, search for biologic and environmental causes, and ultimately work toward better methods of detection and treatment.

What We Do

We connect the most elite autism researchers through renowned conferences and workshops to discuss complex-scientific issues and find innovative treatment services. Our combination of expertise also designs educational practices to best serve people who are affected by autism spectrum disorder. Among the most vulnerable population, autistic children benefit from specialty care and outstanding teaching programs delivered at ICare4Autism’s school for autistic children in New York City. Teachers from around the world train at our model center for professional enrichment and certifications. On a worldwide scale, ICare4Autism has initiated and developed local programs in Africa, Armenia and Pakistan.

We aim to raise awareness through those distinguished partnerships. Our global advocacy efforts play an integral role in our mission. You can play a key role too and make a difference in the world around you.