Sessions

This presentation is half entertainment and half information. Dylan's plight of trying to maintain employment in many different lines of work will provide many insights to help employers with the tsunami of individuals with autism entering the workforce. It begins with a recounting of his experience at his first job, a Pizzeria. Dylan explains how an oft-repeated adage that we are all familiar with, actually misguided him into behavior that ended up getting him fired.

We will then go deeper, as he recounts another high school job at a restaurant where Dylan tried for the first time being upfront about his disability. He'll tell audiences about how he fell victim to a very common corporate policy that is not designed for autistic people in mind, and explain the importance of this policy being changed for people with disabilities.

Next, Dylan will tell a truly unbelievable story of being hired as a camp counselor, at a camp for people with disabilities. This camp hired him after seeing a presentation in which he talks about the many jobs terminated from, so he had every reason to believe this experience would be different, and finally a job he could keep. Ironically, he ended up getting fired for his disability and will explain how contrary to what most might think, it is entirely possible to be fired for one's disability, particularly when it is invisible.

Also detailed will be the advantages and pitfalls of disclosing one's disability not only to employers, but also to co-workers. 

Lastly, Dylan will give practical solutions for HR professionals and employers on how to help employees with autism succeed and avoid the many failures he endured.

Learning Objectives:

• Help people with autism survive and thrive in the workplace.
• Prevent bullying of people with autism, avoiding unnecessary lawsuits and improving retention. Step inside the mind of someone with autism, creating a much deeper ability to be empathetic.
• Find the courage to advocate for necessary changes in policy.  

In-person session offerings are on a first-come, first-served basis.