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Partners

Partners

The Frist Center for Autism and Innovation is working with major local, national, and international partners. Here we provide information and links to our Employment Assessment and Referral partners, High School and College Pipeline partners, Major Area Employer partners, and Community partners.

News From Our Partners

Applications Open for SNP-REACH High School Summer Program; Participants and Counselors Sought! Apply Today!

December 1, 2024

The Standford Neurodiversity Project (SNP) – is announcing its 7th SNP – Research, Education, and Advocacy Camp for High Schoolers (SNP-REACH) for Summer 2025. SNP aims to empower neurodivergent individuals, train neurodiverse individuals in education and the workforce, and spread awareness for these issues. Camp Details: SNP-REACH will hold two two-week summer camps for high…

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AutismTN to Host Hybrid, Autistic-Led Panel on Introduction to Autistic Culture

October 9, 2024

FCAI are excited to announce a free, hybrid, Autistic-led panel discussion titled “Introduction to Autistic Culture.” This event is the first in a series funded by HumanitiesTN and hosted by AutismTN. Additionally Associate Director Dave Caudel, a valued member of the AutismTN Advisory Board, is involved in this initiative: Event Details: Date: Thursday, October 24 Time: 6:00…

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FCAI Program and Communications Coordinator Launches Non-Profit at the Intersection of Neurodiversity and Space Science: The Neuroverse Initiative

October 2, 2024

We are thrilled to share that our Program and Communications manager, Jessica Schonhut-Stasik, launched her non-profit, The Neuroverse Initiative (TNI), last week. This unique initiative operates at the intersection of space science and neurodiversity, with a mission to support neurodivergent space scientists in training, research, and advocacy. The mission statement of the new non-profit reads:…

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Updated Version of the IDD Toolkit Released; Supporting Primary Care Providers

May 21, 2024

We are pleased to share with you an updated version of the IDD toolkit. This website provides information for providers of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). It offers best-practice tools and information regarding specific medical and behavioral concerns of adults with IDD, including resources for patients and families. One aspect of the revisions…

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Director of UCONN’s Center of Neurodiversity and Employment Innovation Interviewed on The Special Needs Voice Podcast

May 7, 2024

Director of UCONN’s Center of Neurodiversity Employment and Innovation, Judy Reilly, was interviewed for the latest Special Needs Voices Podcast episode. This insightful conversation is just a click away, available on the Spotify app or at the following link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2lOK54Jrh84b7rspoUrRQ4 In this episode, Judy speaks about her background and interest in the Neurodiversity field. She introduces her…

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FCAI Partner Jobs for Humanity Releases Impact Report; Work Supported by Associate Director Dave Caudel

April 27, 2024

The Frist Center for Autism and Innovation is proud to partner with Jobs for Humanity. This organization supports inclusive hiring practices for individuals from underrepresented groups, including those on the autism spectrum.  Jobs for Humanity has recently unveiled an inspiring impact report showcasing their remarkable achievements over the past three years. The report highlights the…

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FCAI Partner The Precisionists, Inc. Featured on News Channel 5 Nashville; Showcasing Success of TPI Employees.

March 24, 2024

FCAI partner The Precisionists, Inc. (TPI) was recently featured on Nashville’s News Channel 5, showcasing the successes of TPI employees and discussing the company’s work. They also highlight TPI’s partnership with HCA, one of the nation’s largest healthcare providers, which partners with TPI and has been featured on our FCAI news feed previously. For this piece, News Channel 5 interviewed…

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CEO and Founder of TACT Authors Book to Support Neurodivergent Individuals in Transitions to Adulthood

January 26, 2024

The FCAI team is so excited to share the news of a recent book release by the CEO and Founder of our partner company, TACT. Danny Comb’s new book “Supporting Neurodivergent and Autistic People for Their Transition into Adulthood: Blueprints for Education, Training, and Employment,” offers ideas and solutions to counter the currently steep unemployment…

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FCAI Director and Floreo CEO Present at The Tennessee Enabling Technologies Summit

November 10, 2023

On Thursday November 9th, Frist Center for Autism and Innovation Director, Keivan Stassun, and Floreo CEO Vijay Ravindran, presented at The Tennessee Enabling Technologies Summit, giving a presentation called Advancing Independence and Employment with Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence Technologies. Stassun and Ravindran spoke alongside others from the Tennessee tech sector to discuss various topics in…

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WEBINAR ANNOUNCEMENT: INDK Filmmakers Meeting to Discuss New Educational Tool

November 7, 2023

The Frist Center team are so excited to announce our November Webinar. The team from “In A Different Key” the movie, will be joining us to discuss their new toolkit, designed to support understanding around autism. The In A Different Key movie is available on PBS for free, and the toolkit contains discussion booklets and…

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Employment Assessment and Referral Partners

Jobs for Humanity

According to their website, Jobs for Humanity “paves the way to a fairer future for all by connecting historically underrepresented talent to welcoming employers.” In addition to serving members of the neurodivergent workforce, the organization also facilitates job searches for people with blindness and low vision, refugees, Black leaders, single mothers, and the formerly incarcerated. Visit their website to share your story with potential employers, or email contact@jobsforhumanity.com to ask for more information on how you can become involved.

Specialisterne

Specialisterne, a Danish company and social innovator, utilizes employees on the Autism Spectral Disorder (ASD), giving them a competitive advantage in business. Management and staff create a working environment adapted to the special needs of people with ASD to harness their talents. Today, out of more than 50 employees, approximately 75% are diagnosed on the autism spectrum. The Frist Center for Autism and Innovation is working with Specialisterne to develop new psychometrics specially designed to assess the unique capabilities of autistic individuals for appropriate job placement.

The Precisionists, Inc.

The Precisionists, Inc. (TPI) is a national company focused on creating 10,000 jobs for people with disabilities by the year 2025, by providing industry best practices for delivering administrative and technology services performed through teams which include individuals with disabilities. TPI has established a satellite office in Nashville to work with the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation as part of demonstrating the Nashville Model. Specifically, TPI will assist with job placement opportunities and workplace accommodations for individuals identified through the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation high school and college pipeline partners (see below). The Precisionists were also featured in an article by Lehigh Business, which can be viewed here. To learn more about job opportunities through TPI, complete this statement of interest form.

SourceAbled

Rangam is a minority woman, disability-owned global workforce solutions company. Their philosophy of “empathy drives innovation” influences everything they do. They specialize in attracting and retaining global talent for Engineering, Scientific, Clinical, Healthcare, Administrative, Finance, IT, and other employment categories.

SourceAbled is Rangam’s hiring program for talent with disabilities and/or neurodivergence, including autism. The SourceAbled team prides itself in that it mirrors the talent population. Many of their own employees are autistic, neurodivergent, have a disability, or have a direct, personal connection to those communities. “We understand our talent community … because we are part of the community.”

For more information, please contact Dave Kearon at dave@rangam.com.

Mentra

Mentra is a neurodivergent-friendly talent platform that intelligently matches neurodiverse individuals with employers that value their strengths. Mentra puts recruiters in front of candidates rather than forcing them to navigate through the challenging process of finding a job. How? Through humantistic AI and community-driven design.

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Pairin

PAIRIN is a social enterprise company whose mission is to make education relevant and hiring equitable. The company was founded on the belief that all people have amazing value, but most of us never realize our potential. People are too often put into ill-fitting boxes, told we can’t, won’t and will never be able to attain our dreams. They seek to change this.

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Ernst & Young (EY) is a global professional services firm, offering accounting, consulting and more. In 2016, EY opened its first Neurodiversity Center of Excellence (CoE) in Philadelphia. Additional Centers have since been opened in Dallas, Chicago, San Jose and Nashville. EY is currently seeking full-time employees for opportunities in their Neurodiversity Centers of Excellence. For more information, contact April Smith at april.smith@ey.com.

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In 2022, Goodwill served over 2.1 million individuals worldwide and helped more than 128,998 people train for careers in industries such as banking, IT and health care, to name a few, and get the supportive services they needed to be successful, such as English language training, additional education, and access to transportation and child care.

Goodwill works to enhance people’s dignity and quality of life by strengthening their communities, eliminating their barriers to opportunity, and helping them reach their full potential through learning and the power of work.

Workplace Programs Consultancy Partners

Employers are experiencing unprecedented turnover, lack of engagement, and acute workforce retention challenges. Potentia delivers solutions to those challenges through STARS, our Neurodiversity training and recruitment program, and EMPOWER, our workforce engagement and retention program.

With turnover and job vacancies at nationwide highs, there’s never been a better time to connect with your workforce and bridge these gaps.

Potentia is that bridge.

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At AB, we’re fostering a culture of diverse perspectives and innovation to help advance our clients’ success. And we're doing it responsibly—both in how we act and how we invest on behalf of our clients.

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iSocial is a nationally known powerhouse of university researchers, professional practitioners, and top business executives. All are committed to radically improving the lives of the neurodiverse. iSocial uses Zoom to deliver the most impactful social and IT career skills development workshops for people in this important and under-supported population. Madeline from IBM said, “iSocial is a life changer!” Effectiveness is based on over 8 years of university research, 1,000 subjects with 17 peer reviewed technical articles proving efficacy. Here is a link to a technical description of iSocial and the research that supports their services: https://youtu.be/8SXP8_MiWUs 

The program includes comprehensive social and life skills development workshops. Registrations are on both a corporate and an individual basis. Six cohorts are teamed in Zoom workshop sessions. Workshops are tailored to cohorts matched by common goals, abilities, careers, and interests.

The iSocial and life skills workshops include the programs described below. These workshops are also available as a semester elective for college bound and college curious students. Attendees include people with basic needs as well as managers from IBM, Mercy Health, the US Air Force and more. 

  1. Social Life Workshop is a foundational social skills program.
  2. Professional Communications and Leadership Skills Workshop develops higher level social and life skills. Here is a link to a description: https://www.isocl.net/about 
  3. Information Technology career development workshops for the neurodiverse. Participants in these live, virtual programs benefit from a mainstream IT career development path designed for neurodiverse learners. 
  • Certification for IT careers through Cisco, Microsoft, IBM, HP, AWS and more. 
  • Courses are conducted exclusively for neurodiverse students and taught by technology professionals who are skilled at teaching the neurodiverse.
  • Entry level as well as expert level courses available.
  • This program is the result of iSocial teaming with Skillsoft/Global Knowledge, the world’s largest and most trusted IT education company.

For more information contact Bob Etzel: betzel@isocl.net

iSocial

Link OT is the first ever neurodiversity consultancy service that utilizes evidence-based medical frameworks to get inside the psychology of what it means to think, process, interact, and self-regulate differently, resulting in neuro-inclusive recruitment, hiring, onboarding, integration and retention practices. What makes Link OT different from other neurodiversity consultancies:

  1. Team: Link OT utilize board certified Occupational Therapists and Speech Language Pathologists with decades of experience working with neurodistinct clients to provide employee and employer-facing services.
  2. “Nothing about us without us:” Link OT relies on the expertise of our neurodistinct senior advisors who tout deep corporate experience to help design and then implement their services.
  3. Consulting model: Link OT creates neuro-inclusive recruitment, hiring, integration, and retention practices from the inside out. This means they use the guidance and direction of employees and ERG’s with the messaging and support of senior leaders to create a metrics-based and impactful training focused on managers, who are instrumental to employee success at any organization.
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Research & Development Partners

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TACT (Teaching the Autism Community Trades) is an innovative and groundbreaking non-profit teaching skilled trade and technical skills to neurodistinct autistic youth and adults who aim to mitigate the historical 90% unemployment rate for this community.  As the most successful transition to employment workforce development program in Colorado, TACT is leading the way to a more inclusive future placing hundreds of grads into careers with fully integrated gainful employment.

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Floreo leverages the power of Virtual Reality to deliver a supplementary method of teaching social and communication skills for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Our library of science-based lessons is fun and engaging for the learner, and also provides a supervising adult the opportunity to monitor and track the learner’s progress. Floreo is currently being used by schools, therapy practices, and parents.

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The Uniquely Abled Project enables those with autism to start meaningful careers while filling a major need for employers. Our main program is the Uniquely Abled Academy model, with the vital role of providing skilled capable workers to fill critical vacancies in the manufacturing industry. Hosted by community colleges in partnership with autism experts and state and local service agencies, this education model provides an intensive semester of technical and professional training followed by job placement and ongoing support for both graduates and employers. To date the program has been free for students, and the placement rate for our over 100 graduates is close to 100%. A career as a CNC (Computer Numerical Controlled) manufacturing machine operator is an excellent fit for those with level 1 autism who like working with their hands.

If you are interested in establishing a local Uniquely Abled Academy, the UAP will provide information, materials and organizational support. Please contact Ivan Rosenberg at IRosenberg@UniquelyAbledProject.org

High School & College Pipeline Partners

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Benton Hall Academy is a Nashville school that specializes in educating high school, middle school, and lower school students that may struggle academically or socially in traditional schools. Approximately 30% of their students are on the autism spectrum. In addition to providing neuro-diverse students an education, the school also works to help them transition to college or a job after they graduate, adding the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation as another pathway for their students’ future.

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The mission of Currey Ingram Academy is to provide an exemplary K-12 day school program that empowers students with learning differences to achieve their fullest potential. The school delivers on this mission by providing:

  • small classes
  • evidence-based instruction
  • individualized learning plans for each student
  • strong arts, athletics and extracurricular activities
  • speech-language and academic occupational therapies
  • character education and social coaching
  • personalized college preparation and counseling
  • parent, community and professional education opportunities

Major Employment Partners

With a 150-year history and a network of offices in over 50 countries on five continents, UBS has extensive experience managing the wealth of high net worth and ultra high net worth individuals. This includes helping to protect global financial systems, meeting the regulatory guidelines and recommendations through a global, regional and structural approach. Their BCM program, which considers various levels and types of disruptions that might affect a building, business district, city or a wide-scale condition within a region or multiple regions, is constantly expanded as new information, techniques, and technologies become available. UBS is the first major Nashville employer to hire autistic individuals, the first of whom have joined the UBS Surveillance team.

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Business analytics, test automation and complex software development projects are becoming increasingly important as digitization progresses. Precision and lateral thinking is required in IT departments. This is where auticon’s exceptional employees come in: they are all on the autism spectrum who have outstanding cognitive strengths.

auticon believes people with autism are an asset to any team. Special talents in logic, detail and pattern recognition are typical for many people with autism as well as enormous concentration and a pronounced interest in IT, physics, mathematics and technology. Autists can thus make a significant contribution to outstanding performance quality in the areas of IT and compliance.

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Aspiritech is a world-class QA testing company that empowers individuals on the autism spectrum to fulfill their potential through meaningful employment combined with social opportunity. Brenda and Moshe Weitzberg founded Aspiritech in 2008 with the dream of finding suitable employment for their adult son Oran. Oran is a college educated, kind, capable person on the Autism spectrum, who had difficulties finding work that suited his talents. After researching a company in Denmark that employed adults doing software QA testing, Moshe and Brenda had their answer. From a kitchen table start-up, Aspiritech now has 120+ employees in two locations and is growing everyday.

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Community Partners

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Autism Tennessee exists to enrich the lives and experiences of individuals on the autism spectrum, their families, and their surrounding community through support, advocacy and education.

Autism Tennessee advocate for the needs of Autistic people, their families, and their networks. We amplify the experiences of multiply-marginalized Autistic people by embracing intersectionality and acknowledging the systemic ways oppression excludes many neurodivergent perspectives. They celebrate Autistic culture by enthusiastically centering Autistic communication, thinking, feeling, and ways of being. We recognize the Autistic neurotype as a natural variation within human neurodiversity. Find out more about Autism Tennessee at their website: https://autismtennessee.wildapricot.org/.

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The Chattanooga Autism Center (CAC) has a “resource hub” to help people find services and resources in the region that are the most commonly asked options by autistic individuals, parents, educators, professionals, and others in the community. You can scan the categories on the webpage and click on the blue headings to find details and contact information. The resources are located in East TN, North Georgia, and beyond. This much information can be overwhelming for some, and many people are not sure where to start. The CAC can help provide some guidance and direction by calling the CAC at 423-531-6961 opt 0 or email them at info@chattanoogaautismcenter.org

Visit their resource hub at: https://www.chattanoogaautismcenter.org/regional-resources

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The mission of the AAIN is to promote awareness, accessibility and inclusion of individuals with autism spectrum disorders and other intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families by building capacity throughout a community network of arts, education, athletic, and entertainment organizations.

AAIN are focused on true inclusion, which means creating meaningful experiences and opportunities to belong through participation in programs and representation within the organization. They exclusively recommend supports that are research-based rather than supports designed to allow for individuals to tolerate environments without allowing for meaningful participation.

For information about AAIN, please reach out to Blaire Donnelly-Mason at: blaire.donnelly-mason@vumc.org

Other Partners

AIF’s bold mission is to revolutionize the status quo for diagnosing, treating, and living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), neurodevelopmental disorders, mental health issues, and complex chronic conditions through a venture capital model that helps accelerate developing and delivering emerging technologies, translational science, and innovative services to empower individuals to reach their full potential.

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Impruvon Health brought to you by Impruvon℠, a health technology company dedicated to creating solutions for IDD Residential, Senior Living, and Behavioral Health Teams to improve the efficiency of healthcare work flows, restore independence for residents and safeguard lives.

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Repped in Tech is for the technology professionals who've felt like outsiders in their careers.

It's for all women — the non-binary, trans women, and women of color in tech — who've felt like they've needed to hide who they are in the industry. It's for the Black people in tech, the Brown people in tech, and all diverse technology professionals who've been in the shadows for far too long.

We're here to give you a platform: A space to make your voice heard, your vision seen, and your value felt.

As diverse technology professionals ourselves, we know what it's like to feel overlooked, underestimated, and put in a box. But we also know the power of taking up space — of amplifying our voices through the power of content creation.

We believe the tech world needs to hear your voice. Diversity in tech can unlock real change, real innovation, and real creativity.

And we're here to inspire yours. We're here to give you the tools, resources, and support to show the world what diverse minds can do.

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Our firm follows a fiduciary standard and when we advise on financial decisions we take your best interests into account with an customized approach. We put your needs in first position to help maximize your potential of working towards your financial goals and aspirations. With our strategic advice, we can help you create an approach that is designed to address your specific goals and financial circumstances.

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Amerigroup is focused on achieving health and wellness for the entire family. We listen, respect, and engage families to understand their culture, values, beliefs, and lifestyles so we can develop meaningful relationships. We engage and support members and their families to set goals based on what is important to them, building on their strengths and enhancing each person’s resiliency.

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The Friendship Foundation supports parents and families who have children and young adults with special needs by providing a safe, accepting and inclusive environment where they can enjoy sports, art, music and many other social programs with their peers. Our friendly staff and helpful volunteers create a fun experience for all. It is our belief that every person is precious and capable of love, connection and friendship.

Programs are targeted to specific age groups while some encompass a broad gathering of all ages including parents.At each program, children with special needs are paired with student volunteers for an event full of fun peer interaction. The Friendship Foundation serves to augment our local educational systems and professional therapies by creating a natural setting for individuals with special needs to practice their learned skills amongst their peers.

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The Neuroverse Initiative is a SOON TO LAUNCH non-profit working at the intersection of space science and neurodiversity. Mission Statement: At TNI, we are committed to advancing neuroinclusion in Space Science through Training, Research, and Advocacy. We believe that the Space Sciences should be accessible to all and that a diversity of minds will only accelerate our discovery and understanding of the Universe. TNI have three scopes of work:

Training: TNI is committed to training students, faculty, and all members of the Space Science community in neuroinclusive practices by providing education on neurodiversity, promoting understanding and acceptance. Through workshops, seminars, and resources, the initiative aims to foster a supportive and inclusive community for individuals with diverse neurological profiles.

Research: TNI aims to improve our understanding of the ND population and their experiences and impact in the Space Sciences through peer-reviewed research. TNI conduct studies, gather data, and publish findings that contribute to the body of knowledge surrounding neurodiversity in the field. This research serves to increase awareness, inform best practices, and promote inclusivity for individuals with diverse neurological profiles within the Space Science community.

Advocacy: TNI is dedicated to improving the world for the ND community within the Space Science field by conducting outreach programs, promoting education, and advocating for inclusivity. TNI's efforts focus on raising awareness, providing educational resources, and advocating for policies that support individuals with diverse neurological profiles, ultimately striving to create a more inclusive and supportive environment within the Space Science community.

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