Empowering Neurodivergent Job Seekers | Inclusive Hiring with Nancy Wells of AbleTalks

In this episode of Creating Communities for Neurodivergent People, I sit down with Nancy Wells, Licensed Professional Counselor and founder/CEO of AbleTalks, Inc., to discuss effective strategies that help autistic and neurodivergent adults thrive in employment.

We explore how neurodivergent job seekers can succeed through video job applications, soft skills development, tailored job placements, and strength-based career planning. Nancy also shares insights on building confidence, improving workplace communication, and creating inclusive opportunities that allow neurodivergent individuals to become experts in their own lives.

This conversation highlights the importance of mentoring, self-advocacy, and community-based employment programs—plus upcoming initiatives AbleTalks is developing to support neurodivergent workers and future leaders.

Topics we discuss in this episode:

I. Empowering Neurodivergent Job Seekers

II. Thinking “Career,” Not Just “Job”

III. Identifying & Using Soft Skills for Neurodivergent Employment

IV. Neurodivergent Hiring Success Story

V. Neurodivergent Leadership & Communication

VI. Tailored Job Placement for Autistic Individuals

VII. Peer Mentoring & Self-Advocacy

VIII. Inclusive Workplace & Employment Initiatives

IX. Disability-Focused Video Job Applications

X. Neurodivergent Career Coaching Retreat

Who is Nancy Wells?

Nancy Wells is a Licensed Professional Counselor and the founder/CEO of AbleTalks.org, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities to take ownership of their lives and careers. She is a passionate advocate for inclusive employment, inspired in part by her experience as a parent of two autistic daughters.

Career paths for people with disabilities, why is it so hard to find a job as a disabled person, finding work while disabled, can disabled people work, best job training programs, landing a successful career, receiving employment assistance, disability community resources, how to be independent with disabilities

#neurodivergent #autism #neurodivergentemployment #inclusiveemployment #autisticemployment#selfadvocacy #neurodivergentjobs #disabilityemployment #neurodivergentcareers #autisticadults

Living Independently with an Aide w/ John McFadden and Kate Waltermeyer

Listen Here: https://youtu.be/G7zl20s5BCw

In this episode of Creating Communities for Neurodivergent People, we explore how learning and growth continue long after high school for neurodivergent individuals. Even as adults living independently, executive function and social learning remain essential parts of daily life.

Key topics include:

• Kate’s unique perspective as both John’s aide and someone who has ADHD and is on the Autism Spectrum

• The value and challenges of self-diagnosis as people age

• Kate’s lived experiences with ADHD (focus challenges, hyper-fixation, depression/anxiety, sleep and eating difficulties, and task overwhelm)

• Autism-related needs such as safe spaces, sensory sensitivities, overstimulation, and managing strong emotions

• How Kate and John support each other’s learning in reading, math, cooking, executive function, and social skills

• Why empathy, patience, and mutual respect create a strong aide–client relationship

• The ongoing importance of education and community engagement for neurodivergent adults

Takeaways:

Education never ends, being in community is vital, and independence is an evolving process supported by understanding and collaboration.

How to find the right aide for my special needs adult child, reality of independent living disability, living independently with an aide, autism independent living info must see, living on my own, independently taking care of my own house, how to manage living in a household of a special needs family, making my own schedules and appointments, special needs support living care, extra care housing, supported living pros and cons, what makes someone a good aide, steps to take towards independent living, what are my best accommodation options for my special needs adult child, transition from living at home to my own place, moving out on my own, special needs kid moving out

#NeurodivergentVoices #ADHDAwareness #AutismAcceptance #ExecutiveFunction #NeurodiversityMatters #InclusiveEducation #CreatingCommunities #IndependenceJourney #independantliving #specialneeds #disabilityhousing #housingaccommodations

Know Your Rights: Disability Employment & Housing w/Ibrahim “Bebo” Saab, Esq. w/Disability Rights California

In this episode you will learn about advocacy and legal rights for people with intellectual and physical disabilities to include various aspects of disability support, educational transitions, employment opportunities, housing options and protection against financial abuse.

1. Regional Centers in each county provide financial support for developmental and intellectual disabilities:

Autism

Cerebral Palsy

Intellectual Disabilities

Epilepsy

These are conditions that occur as an outgrowth of intellectual disabilities / supportive living services.

Income does not affect eligibility for services.

Acts as a payor of last resort, requiring documentation of attempts to exhaust generic resources before providing assistance.

2. Self-advocacy is important within the disability rights community for the following services:

IHSS (In-Home Supportive Services) for physical and intellectual disabilities

Transitioning from high school or college to work opportunities requires a different aspect of support services

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) transition planning must begin at age 16, including conversations with the individual regarding their interests and future plans.

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2012 provides free employment services and support.

The Department of Rehabilitation supports students with disabilities through education and employment opportunities like “self-determination dollars” and micro-enterprise programs for people with disabilities to start their own companies.

Employment First Policy in California aims to provide competitive, integrated employment opportunities, moving away from segregated work environments and minimum wage jobs.

Disability Rights California is the largest disability rights organization in the country, but there are other Disability Rights organizations in almost every state.

3. Financial Abuse of Disabled Individuals is a concern.

Financial abuse is prevalent within caregivers and others who manage money for disabled people.

Alternatives to Conservatorships, another avenue of potential financial abuse includes power of attorney, supportive decision-making, advance directives that emphasize empowerment and protection against financial abuse.

4. Housing: One of the biggest challenges in transitioning from high school to employment are the parents who don’t want to let their children with disabilities leave home. Knowing how to have the right support services for your disabled child will help parents feel more comfortable about having their child leave home.

Living where you feel comfortable is most important for disabled people.

Options in Housing:

Supported Living

Foster Family / Host Family

Brookwood Community, Texas

Lambs Farm, Illinois

Know your rights to work Americans with disabilities act, fair housing rights for people with disabilities, reasonable accommodations, what are the employment rights for people with disabilities, joining the work force best practices, what are the rights for disabled people, how to find a lawyer to represent a special needs child, what lawyers represent disabled individuals, know your rights, advocating for workplace disability access and accommodations ADA, ADA protections at your work place, understanding ADA for workers

#neurodivergentJobs #NeurodivergentPodcast #neurodivergenthousing #bestjobsfordisabledpeople #specialneedshousing