There are many reasons one might be disheartened by the statistics on job success for individuals with special needs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics for 2014, 17.1% of persons with a disability were employed as opposed to 64.6% for those without a disability. Those with a disability are not only less likely to… Continue reading
It is now regarded as a truism that many of those with an ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) who are at the upper end of the spectrum have specific talents and abilities that lend themselves particularly well to STEM pursuits. It is equally true that those with an ASD thrive when provided with supports that mitigate… Continue reading
It has become commonplace to acknowledge the shortage of qualified computer science professionals, the scarcity of programmers, both in the general population, but particularly among those traditionally underrepresented: girls, ethnic minorities, and those on the autism spectrum or with other special needs. One school in Brookline, Massachusetts is aiming to reduce that shortage by integrating… Continue reading
A new survey in Utah of students with IEPs who left school in 2011 found that 19% were neither in school nor employed one year after graduating. The numbers for those on the autism spectrum are considerably higher: Paul Shattuck of Drexel University claims that 35% of those on the spectrum between 19 and 23… Continue reading
Thorkil Sonne is not a household name. Nevertheless, he is a pioneer in changing the perception that the world has of those on the spectrum. Sonne, a Dane, was the technical director of a software company when he noticed that his son, who is on the spectrum, had a keen eye for detail, great persistence,… Continue reading
We are a nation of explorers and inventors. We are driven to dive leagues into the oceans and fly deep into space; we’ve unraveled the mystery of our own DNA; we discover, invent and create. This independence of spirit, this drive to understand, create and succeed is common to us all, and is nowhere more… Continue reading
In just a few weeks, students across the country will shake hands amid pomp and circumstance and receive their certificates and high school diplomas. At Village Glen, the scene will be no different. Many students have already heard from colleges and universities, from internship programs and job placements what their immediate future holds. But for… Continue reading
