Send us a text

Autistic post-school employment gaps? Ben Schatzel (Stannum Core Solutions founder, human behaviorist/autism advocate) shares: From therapy roots to tackling the 'service cliff' (2020 workforce pivot), his Spectrum Certified process (universal design visuals, Autism 101 training, skill-matched onboarding) boosts inclusion—phasing subminimum wage (Illinois Dignity in Pay Act) for competitive pay/independence. For autistic young adults listing strengths/weaknesses (score w/ trusted folks for dream roles), parents prepping transitions, or allies reforming labor, this convo's your toolkit—routine resets, trust networks, and 'no man left behind' mindset for ROI (lower turnover/productivity gains).

Timestamps:


 0:00 - Intro: Ben's Journey to Neurodiverse Hiring


 0:59 - Person-Centered Transitions in Employment


 2:48 - Communication Feedback Loops for ND


 5:30 - Prepare Jobs/Staff for Inclusion


 8:35 - Dream Big: Strengths/Weaknesses Audit


 11:25 - Policy Disconnects: Subminimum Wage Reform


 14:38 - Dignity in Pay Act & Systemic Barriers


 17:56 - Autism Unemployment: 10x Higher Reality


 20:23 - Healthcare/Independence Challenges


 22:17 - Skills for Long-Term Success (Routine/Ask Help)


 25:14 - Resources: Voc Rehab/County Boards


 28:37 - Where to Find Ben (Site/LinkedIn)

Subscribe on Apple/Spotify for weekly neurodivergent adulting tools—rate/review if strategies mapped your path! Resources/agency in notes. Squad, share w/ a job-seeker (tag 'em below—let's include!). Merch: 'Dynamite' tees for transition days (Linktree in notes). #AutisticEmployment #NeurodivergentInclusion #AdultingWithAutism #BTSNeurodivergent #PodMatch

Navigating autistic employment post-school? Ben Schatzel unpacks inclusion: Decade in therapy/job development led to Stannum Core (Chicago-based, tackling 'service cliff' via Spectrum Certified: Job prep visuals, staff Autism 101, onboarding for manufacturing/tech). From 2020 non-profit pivot to Illinois Dignity in Pay Act (phasing 14c subminimum wage—10x ND unemployment vs. NT), Ben advocates competitive integrated roles (ROI: Retention/productivity up, turnover down). Strategies: Strengths/weaknesses lists (score w/ family/friends for skill-matched jobs—e.g., organization for various industries), routine for independence (ask help networks), social inference training (clear comms vs. ambiguity). For late-dx young adults eyeing careers, parents bridging gaps, or allies pushing reform (healthcare tied to jobs, scams awareness), Ben's 'united victory' mindset flips barriers to belonging. From Adulting with Autism podcast: OT-aligned for executive/sensory differences, transition audits, policy wins.

Links:

• Full Episode: Buzzsprout/Apple/Spotify (subscribe!)


• Ben's Site: stannumcore.com (Spectrum Certified, free consults)


• LinkedIn: @benschatzel (connect for tips)


• Instagram: @stannumcore (follow updates)


• Resources: State Voc Rehab (Google "[state] vocational rehabilitation"); County Workforce Boards


• Merch: Linktree in notes ('Dynamite' tees for job grind reminders)

mfish: Organize. Simplify. Win


Eco-friendly, high-quality tech tool to simplify school, work and life





Find Your Fierce This Fall: Empowerment


Shop now to support the show and join the Alliance—find your new favorite at the link in show notes.





Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

@adulting_autism


adultingwithautism.podcast@outlook.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.