International Autism Demystification Program to Support Adults with Autism in the Workplace

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Nov. 7, 2013 - PRLog -- November 7, 2013

PRESS RELEASE


Local Charity Creates International Autism Demystification Program to Support Adults with Autism in the Workplace

Vancouver, B.C. – Friend 2 Friend Social Learning Society is proud to announce the launch of their new program Demystifying Autism in the Workplace: The Friend 2 Friend Model

“Individuals on the autism spectrum make wonderful employees and co-workers. They are reliable, hardworking, honest and bring many talents and skills to the table,” says McCracken, creator of the Friend 2 Friend Model and programs and Founder/Executive director of Friend 2 Friend Social Learning Society.

Friend 2 Friend’s Demystifying Autism in the Workplace program focuses on teaching employers and co-workers the necessary skills to include individuals on the autism spectrum in the workplace. The program works to promote understanding, acceptance and empathy to enhance peer social relations, productivity and a safe and healthy environment for all. The program teaches employers and co-workers effective, prosocial communication strategies and provides ongoing support to ensure the ultimate success of the program. Benefits for employers include gaining access to an enormous untapped talent pool of highly capable workers while at the same time creating an inclusive educated workplace.

“Our vision has always been to create a community, and now a workplace, where individuals on the autism spectrum would find the support they require to be contributing members and to feel accepted for who they are,” says McCracken. “My son [who was the inspiration for the design of the program 15 years ago] is now 20, is finishing post secondary education and will be entering into the workforce shortly. I know the stumbling block to employment will not be his abilities or skills; rather, it will be, as it always has been, that his employer and co-workers will not understand his unique kind of mind. It is my hope that our new Demystifying Autism in the Workplace program will help to create inclusive workplaces for individuals like my son and continue the mission of Friend 2 Friend to change the world one mind at a time.”

Friend 2 Friend has over a decade of experience designing and delivering their unique and innovative autism demystification programs to 175,000 children and young adults in BC, Canada, the US and abroad, with satellite organizations in Alberta, Vermont, San Francisco and another underway in Germany. Friend 2 Friend Social Learning Society was founded in 2002 by Heather McCracken — a parent of three, including a son who has autism.

Employers interested in participating in the pilot project please contact Friend 2 Friend Social Learning Society at friend2friend@shaw.ca For more information visit our online press room at www.friend2friendsociety.org/contact/press-room or contact us at:

URL: www.friend2friendsociety.org, Email: friend2friend@shaw.ca

Twitter @F2FHeather, @F2FPlayCentre


Heather McCracken
Cell: 604-528-0560