40+ resources for the Autism community

By Byran Dai, on Apr 18, 2021

available at: https://daivergent.com/blog/resources-for-autism-community

In the lead up to World Autism Awareness Day, Daivergent spoke with 176 self-advocates, parents, and family members about what resources they wanted that would help them thrive and grow during COVID.

The response was clear and universal: more job opportunities and more socialization opportunities. Our team is proud to share the tools, programs, websites, and services that empower the Autism Community with you.

Keep checking back throughout Autism Acceptance Month (April) as we will be adding more and more materials across jobs, socialization, life skills, family supports, and advocacy.

Job Resources

If you're just starting out

• Explore which careers are a fit for you at MyNextMove: https://www.mynextmove.org/explore/ip

• Read about what a “day in the life” of a job is like here: https://whatforwork.com/jobs/

• See how others are thinking about their career paths, and get inspired here: https://www.reddit.com/r/findapath/

When you're ready to take it to the next step

• Take a free professional course in a “hot career” area on LinkedIn Learning: https://u2b.com/2020/07/06/microsoft-and-linkedin-offer-14-free-learning-paths-for-highly-in-demand-careers/

• Try a “day in the life” work experience for a Fortune 500 Company at TheForage.com

• Hear from people who work at the job you're interested in at: https://www.reddit.com/r/JobProfiles/

Once it's time to put the skills into action

• Check out upwork.com and freelancer.com for one-off projects that align with your interests and skills areas

• Check out job boards like Daivergent, Mentra.me, Inclusively.com, and the Stanford Job Bank for employers seeking job-seekers on the spectrum

• Learn about leading employers who are part of the Autism Employer Roundtable and check their individual websites for autism hiring initiatives: https://disabilityin.org/what-we-do/committees/autism-at-work-roundtable/

To learn more about any of the above resources, check out our webinar on vocational resources here: https://youtu.be/EO-T-l9cn4o?t=1

Socialization Resources

If you're just starting out

• Watch videos about how build self-confidence (Link) and esteem (Link) in socialization: https://www.youtube.com/c/theschooloflifetv/videos

• Sign up for the waitlist for Social Cipher (https://www.socialciphergame.com/) and check out Kloog 2 on Android or Apple

• Join a weekly group for discussions at OutSchool (Link) or Daivergent (Link)

When you're ready to take it to the next step

• Go onto WrongPlanet (Link) and Asperger’s Experts (Link) and introduce yourself to the world

• Participate in a subreddit for women with Asperger’s (Link), a general young adult group (Link), or review this master list of Facebook communities for your niche (Link)

• Check out AANE Book Clubs, Game Nights, and Social Groups for ASD (Link)

Once it's time to put the skills into action

• Check out Hiki (Link) and Making Authentic Friendships (Link) to see if they are a fit for where you’re based

• Volunteer and join with Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (Link), Autistic Women and Non-Binary Network (Link), and AANE (Link)

• Join integrated communities supportive to the autism community at Meetup.com (Link) and ToastMasters (Link)

To learn more about any of the above resources, check out our webinar on socialization resources here: https://youtu.be/p-D-nN3h7T0

Life Skills

If you're just starting out (useful for 14-17 year olds)

• Learn the best way to clean a room (Video/Article), and then try your hand at laundry (Video) through a simple game (Link).

• Download Habitbull (App) to help with setting routines, and create a new routine around getting onto a good sleep schedule (Article) and calming down after a stressful day (App)

• Find a good microwave recipe (Article), review cooking safety (Article), then practice buying the food (Article) and making change (Game) before cooking up something delicious!

When you're ready to take it to the next step (useful for 18-21 year olds)

• Check out the VISA/NFL interactive experience (Game), and then complete the free financial literacy course on BONZAI (Game, use code ESESAL)

• Watch how to fix basic home issues (unclog a drain and toilet; iron a shirt), fix a basic meal on the stove (Recipe, Site), and navigate public transportation (Video) and driving (Game) from an Autistic peer (Video)

• Learn to create your own schedule (Article), practice making one step-by-step (Article), and then gamify it so that it becomes fun to follow (App)

Once it's time to put the skills into action (useful for 22+ year olds)

Resources:

• Hear from a fellow Autistic peer about how to live with roommates (Video), assess if you’re ready to move out (Quiz), and get the REAL story about what it’s like to find your own place (Article)

• Review Social Skills resources from past Daivergent webinar (Link), get advice from peers (Forum), and check out a new app for Autistic Friendship and Dating (App).

• Learn about the best tips and tricks for getting in shape (Article), try a personalized mobile app that builds a workout plan for you (App), and improve your diet with recommended meals for your lifestyle (App)