EPISODE 65: NEURODIVERSITY IN THE WORKPLACE With Joseph Riddle   INTRO: There are really important skills that people with autism have, that make them, in some cases, the best employees you could have. This is something that small businesses could benefit from, and is already something that many large corporations are already using to their advantage. Today, we’re speaking with Joseph Riddle, the Director of The Neurodiversity in the Workplace team, a dedicated group of talented individuals who work tirelessly for the people they serve. Thanks so much for listening!   SEGMENT: Because of certain traits of autism, individuals with autism often have trouble getting past the interview stage for a job or maintaining a position once they are hired. Joseph Riddle has led a team to design and partner in implementing hiring programs for neurodiverse individuals. Companies such as SAP and their Autism at Work program, Dell, and Bank of America have participated in hiring programs allowing the creation of a network of employers and talented individuals on the spectrum. These companies, with support from Joe and his team, are leading the way in demonstrating to the American workforce that neurodiverse talent is both valuable and productive.   CONCLUSION: Few resources have been allocated to understanding autistic adults. According to a 2017 report from the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, only 2 percent of autism research funding goes into understanding the developmental disorder for the adult population. Autism isn’t just something for young individuals, and more needs to be done to propel and prepare this population. With organizations like Neurodiversity in the Workplace, we can not only become inspired, but also determined to make the workforce a better and more welcoming environment for our loved ones. Thanks so much for being a part of My Autism Tribe, and I’ll see you soon.   ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Email: neurodiversity@nitw.org   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NeurodiversityInTheWorkplace/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neurodiversityintheworkplace/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/4Neurodiversity