As autistic youth transition into adulthood, many face what’s known as the “resource cliff”—a sharp drop in services, supports, and guidance once they age out of school-based programs. This abrupt shift can leave young adults and their families navigating a confusing and often disjointed landscape with limited direction or access to employment, higher education, or independent living resources.

But what if we flipped that narrative? What if the post-high school years weren’t a cliff, but a launchpad?

This workshop, From the Resource Cliff to the Career Lift, brings together the trailblazing work of the Neurodiversity Foundation, Autismazing, and other forward-thinking organizations who are creating pathways for success, inclusion, and meaningful employment for neurodivergent individuals. We’ll explore how community-based solutions, employer partnerships, and identity-affirming spaces are helping young autistic adults not just survive—but thrive—in the workforce and beyond.

Attendees will hear firsthand about initiatives that bridge the gap between high school and adulthood, including mentoring programs, self-advocacy training, and career readiness initiatives led by and for neurodivergent people. We’ll also explore how storytelling, community collaboration, and innovative programming are reshaping the way we approach employment for autistic talent—and how you can be part of that change.

Whether you’re an educator, employer, parent, self-advocate, or ally, this session will offer inspiration and real-world tools to help move the needle on neurodiversity inclusion in a way that is sustainable, strengths-based, and community-driven.

Key Takeaways:

Areas Covered

Learning Objectives

Who Should Attend    

Recent research suggests that 30% of the population experiences some symptoms of a neurodivergent condition.  CEOs, HR Directors, Trainers, Team Leads, Project Managers, Scrum Masters, Product Owners, Agile Coaches, Disability Advocates

Why Should You Attend

Neurodiversity: Your Secret Weapon (and Why You’re Losing Without It)

Look, if your team feels like it’s running on fumes, juggling flaming swords, and held together with duct tape and caffeine, it might be time for a different kind of talent strategy. Enter: neurodivergent professionals—think: off-the-charts pattern recognition, laser focus, out-of-the-box solutions that actually work. Sounds good? Thought so.

Big dogs like Microsoft, SAP, and JPMorgan Chase are already cashing in on this secret sauce. They’re hiring folks with autism, ADHD, dyslexia and beyond—and watching productivity shoot up like a Roman candle. Meanwhile, you're still trying to survive Monday with coffee and vibes?

Here's the kicker: most neurodivergent individuals don’t get a fair shot. After high school, support services vanish like your favorite socks in the dryer. It’s called the skills cliff, and it’s brutal. Adulting expectations skyrocket, but the safety net? Gone.

But not all is lost. Rockstars like Autismazing, The Neurodiversity Foundation, and VPMMA are stepping up. They’re running career bootcamps, mentoring neurodivergent veterans, and creating seriously inclusive volunteer programs. They're changing lives—and they need you on board.

This workshop spills the secrets. Real talk. Real tools. Real results. If you want your team to stop treading water and start doing cannonballs of innovation, this is where it begins.

And hey—if you skip it? Your competitors won’t. Just saying.

Topic Background    

Non-profits, educators, and professionals in a variety of fields across all sectors are discovering that neurodiversity in the workplace leads to a broader range of skills and perspectives that drive competition in the 21st Century and developing informed training materials to facilitate support for those affected by the end of school-based support systems as they graduate and transition into adult workforce expectations.