NSU Horizons Fall 2018

23 NSU HORIZONS Rising Tide, which is well-known in the autism community for its hiring practices, employs more than 90 people with ASD. The business was founded by John D’Eri, the father of two adult boys, one of whom has autism. Like Hopkins, D’Eri’s son with ASD also struggled to find work, so D’Eri created an opportunity for him. In August 2017, Hopkins was hired at Rising Tide as an after care associate. His duties include vacuuming and cleaning interiors, windows, and tires. Krumenacker has noticed a significant improvement in her son’s coordination since he was hired. “He wasn’t a very physical person—sometimes he would trip. Because his job requires a lot of physical activity, now he just moves better.” Hopkins’ employment at Rising Tide hasn’t been without challenges. Occasionally he’s required to extend his shift when it’s busy, which can be frustrating for Hopkins. He sometimes reacts to his frustration with screaming outbursts. His mother, who has witnessed his supervisors gently reprimanding him for this, said, “Even though they get jobs and they’re working, you’re constantly dealing with the fact that they have challenges.” Krumenacker is grateful for what UM-NSU CARD has helped her son achieve. “During this period of transition from high school into adult life, tons of different issues come up,” said Chin, “and it’s really the same issues that occur for typically developing youth, but with the kind of challenges and specific resources that are needed for people on the spectrum.” A Sweet Success Valerie Herskowitz, who, like D’Eri, started a business to support her son with autism, speaks highly of UM-NSU CARD, “They were there from the beginning, right when [the business] was in my house, pushing us to do this. They gave us all kinds of training and options, provided workshops, and showcased us.” In addition to Herskowitz’ long-time relationship with UM-NSU CARD, she also works with CARD at Florida Atlantic University, because of its proximity to her location in Palm Beach County. Unlike Zachary Hopkins, Blake Herskowitz requires 24-hour supervision and support. His limited capabilities make it impossible for him to enter the workforce through traditional routes. When Blake began to show an interest in his mom’s baking hobby, she taught him a few simple techniques and was surprised that he could follow her instructions. It wasn’t long before she began to invite others like Blake into her kitchen. In 2013, Herskowitz created The Chocolate Spectrum, an artisan chocolate company. For the first three years, the business was run out of her home. Then, in 2016, she was able to expand to a brick-and-mortar café and academy for adults with developmental disabilities. Through The National Autism Registry, a nonprofit organization she started in 1999, Herskowitz receives donations and grants that allow her to provide a training program at The Chocolate Spectrum. The 2017 National Autism Indicators Report** found that 54 percent of adults with ASD participated in an unpaid activity in a facility where most other workers had disabilities. By providing training programs, Herskowitz hopes to make great strides toward helping adults with developmental disabilities obtain paid employment. In her Adult Apprenticeship program, adults are trained in all facets of The Chocolate Spectrum business, including chocolate, pastry, and coffee making; packing and shipping; and customer service. Teenagers have the option of participating in a similar program, which is shorter and emphasizes social development. She also works with VR to offer an intensive, four-week program that provides on-the-job training in her facility, as well as instruction in business development skills. “UM-NSU CARD is the only organization that I’m aware of that does something for these kids from the time they’re teenagers to adults. All of the information for programs that I’ve enrolled my son in came through them,” said Krumenacker. While she admits that Hopkins’ busy schedule has kept him away from UM-NSU CARD, she takes comfort in knowing that the program is still there when it’s needed. She added, “Every single one of these programs—they’ve helped him become more independent than I ever dreamed he would be.” ¨ *2015 National Autism Indicators Report: Transition into Young Adulthood **2017 National Autism Indicators Report: Developmental Disability Services and Outcomes in Adulthood LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION • thechocolatespectrum.com • risingtidecarwash.com • umcard.org