I work with autistic children and their families. Ask me anything about it, we are a small company that thrives on enlightening people about communicative strategies when it comes to children with closed-off worlds. We are also on the forefront of placing family before anything else. I used to work in the food business as a manager, but that was killing me slowly.

Autism is a spectrum so you’re going to need to specify what kind of autism. High or low functioning?

We do it all.

And any other ailment stacked on: oppositional defiant disorder, anxiety, thyroid issues, violence...I’m trained in kido for restraints. However, if a child becomes too violent, we have IYS (internal youth services) or the police involved. We are also not medicine practitioners. That is up to the parents and doctors.

That's really awesome, good on you. What got you into that job considering it's so distant from the food/hospitality industry?

One of my good friends recommended me to it. I had always wanted to be a professor, but if I’m being honest, this is way more true to what I wanted: being an influence for the next generations. Everyone I know tells me I’m a good fit for the job. I don’t k ow how much of an impact I make, and I’m not sure if I care about that...I just like to see these kids and parents smile. They have so few good moments. They’re in crisis. It’s sad and it’s tough, but I guess I’m sad and tough, too.

Would you say you try to adapt the child to the environment or the environment to the child more? Unfortunately I've heard of some kids coming out of programs that had "professionals" essentially training them like dogs, and the parents didn't know enough to think it was wrong.

Oh no, when I say we are on the forefront, I mean we try to create a bridge of understanding...if that means having the parents understand the child, vice versa, combination...it doesn’t matter. Whatever works best without escalation.

I have a mile of paperwork I could post about what we do. Just know that I truly believe in it. If I had any inkling that we were damaging the kids or families, I wouldn’t be working here.

Thank you for the work that you do. You sound passionate about the families you help and the impact you have. As the mom of an Autistic daughter the work you are doing matters. Even if it’s just supporting the families while they come to terms with what the label will mean for them and their child. We need more services that appreciate who these kids are and strive to help them achieve whatever level of functioning they are capable of.
Again, THANK YOU.

I have no words for that. Thank YOU.

I see autistic people come through where I work (retail) and I see their accompanying people (not sure for the word for it) and they help them to pick out their items and pay for it and I make sure to smile at them both. It’s good to see them functioning as if there’s nothing wrong (Sorry if that sounded rude)

No, it’s fine:).

You're not working with autism speaks, are you?

No. It’s a very small company, about 20 people or so.

Alrighty, just making sure

We can’t have more than 5% profit margin. The state gets to determine what counts as profit. We have almost gone under a few times just in the few years we’ve been around.

If you don't mind, what country are you in? Just wondering how widespread autism programs like this are.

The U.S.