Spectrum Chats: Seeking Meaningful Employment as an Autistic Person
Join AutismTN for a Spectrum Chat on Seeking Meaningful Employment as an Autistic Person. This engaging online discussion will feature a panel of Autistic professionals sharing their firsthand experiences navigating an employment landscape not designed for Autistic folks, and their strategies for finding jobs that align with their Autistic strengths and passions. Gain valuable advice on the job search process from an Autistic viewpoint, learn about effective self-advocacy techniques during job hunting, and discuss how employers can dismantle barriers to enable highly capable Autistic people to contribute fully to their missions.
Panelists:
Desiree Dyer is an autistic self-advocate, a graduate of Partner’s in Policy Making, and is presently serving on the board of AutismTN. She is an enrolled citizen of the Upper Mattaponi Tribe (Tsenacommacah, now present-day Virginia) and serves as the At-Large Representative and Upper Mattaponi Constitutional Scholar for the tribe’s Legislature as well as sitting on the Governance and Administration, and Economic Development Steering Committees. When not involved in advocacy work, Desiree goes to work at the Nashville Symphony as their IT System Administrator. In her non-existent free time, she trains as a powerlifter (key in managing autistic burnout), is a stepmom to Ben’s teenage daughter, and smashes the patriarchy at every opportunity. She also sleeps, like, a lot, because recovery is no joke folks.
Meghan Gragg is an autistic self advocate, has their Masters in Public Policy, and is currently (until April 26th) working as a tutor at the College Living Experience, a Post-Secondary Support Program for Neurodivergent adults. On May 6th, Meghan will transition to serve with Americorps at the Tennessee Office of Refugees as a Refugee Youth Mentoring Program Coordinator VISTA. In the near future, they plan to apply for the Fulbright in Morocco and then go on to get their PhD in Sociology in order to become a professor focusing on the Sociology of disability. In their free time they enjoy studying languages, watching shows from other countries, and reading fanfiction.
Stephen Polkowski is an adamantly, audacious, autistic self- and community-advocate who was late life identified. Undiagnosed and without accommodations, he failed 11 classes and tenaciously endured 10 years to complete his undergraduate mechanical engineering degree. At the culmination of his master’s degree, he will have endured 8 years and PTSD to complete his master’s degree in materials science and engineering. He is extremely passionate about advocacy, elucidating the allistic-confusing enigma that is the spectrum of autism, helping others in the autistic community, and learning. He enjoys complex problem solving, sports, physical fitness, and spending time in the great outdoors in the cooler months.
Ashley Seay is the owner of Relief Printmaking Studio, which offers original art with a focus in woodblock printing, custom logo woodblocks, wood sculpture and design, pattern design, and fabric printing. The studio's motto is to produce "relief you can see and feel." She has over 10 years of experience in the printmaking medium. Woodblock printing is how the first newspapers, books and bibles were produced. The artwork is inspired by history, culture, nature, Ancestors, Universe, and family and friends. Recently she was an artist in residence with Metro Nashville Public Schools. She led a course at Cane Ridge High School and two classes at the Nashville School of the Arts. Ashley has also won third place at the Best of Tennessee Craft Exhibition, featured and taught at the Frist Art Museum, National Museum of African American Music, Tennessee State Museum, Belmont University, and Cheekwood Mansion. Ashley was professionally identified with Autism and ADHD at age 34 and has just now received accommodations. As a young child, she was given a misdiagnosis of a cognitive math and learning disability. As she got older, she dealt with depression and PTSD but used art to aid in her mental health journey. Finding and keeping a job, housing and managing everyday life has always been difficult, even now. After failing multiple college classes and running out of financial support, she had to stop going to school. She has never been on any medication for AUDHD but is now considering it. After years of being job to job, she decided in summer of 2023 to get formally test and go back to college at Tennessee State University to finish her Studio Art Degree. After graduation she will pursue her master's degree and become an art professor. As of now she is currently looking for autistic employment that works with a college schedule but is having issues. Ashley is very passionate about advocacy, helping others and being creative in every way possible. In her free time, she enjoys creating art, retro RPG gaming and console collecting, roller skating, watching anime and movies, and being active outdoors. Her favorite season is summer, and gold is her favorite color.
