Discover what’s possible when you acknowledge your needs.

Have you ever needed to ask for help but didn’t know how? Were you afraid of seeming weak or being rejected?

Whether you’re an autistic student or employee, you’ll want to listen to this episode with Thomas Iland and David Sharif, where they encourage autistic people to speak up about their needs, emphasizing there is no shame in asking for help.

Tom Iland is an Autistic Self-Advocate, Toastmasters International Accredited Speaker, Certified Human Potential Coach, Professional Diversity & Inclusion Consultant, and TEDx speaker. He’s the author of two books, Come To Life! Your Guide to Self-Discovery and My Glass Is Full: Stories of Putting Mental Health First. Tom also holds a Guinness World Record as "The Oldest Person With Autism To Finish a Full Ironman Triathlon," which highlights his commitment to transcending limits.

Also an Autistic Self-Advocate, David Sharif was a dedicated and beloved member of our community who unfortunately passed away in April 2021 due to an epileptic seizure. David was a Magna Cum Laude graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Peace and Justice Studies. He worked as a job coach supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in building fulfilling, independent lives.

This episode with Tom and David was first released in September of 2020. We’re re-releasing it today in time for back-to-school season, a crucial time when many autistic students and families face the challenge of getting the accommodations they need every year.

In this conversation, among other things, we discuss:

• How to request accommodations, both at school and in the work environment
• How a tutor or job coach can offer extra support
• Examples of reasonable accommodations, such as day-to-day guidance and feedback, establishing long- and short-term goals, assigning tasks by priority, and being notified in advance about meetings and topics
• The benefits of traveling and learning about different cultures

For more information about Thomas Iland, listen to:

My Journey of Becoming a Public Speaker, with Thomas Iland

For more information about David Sharif, listen to:

Honoring the Memory of David Sharif, with the Global Autism Community

----more----Resources:

https://www.autismspeaks.org/tool-kit-excerpt/accommodations-job

https://daivergent.com/blog/neurodiversity-in-the-workplace

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