Neurodiversity in the Workplace Launches College Consulting Program

Imagine working hard, overcoming obstacles, and excelling in college–only to be left unemployed or under-employed after graduation as your peers secure promising careers. This is the reality for the growing numbers of autistic students attending college, and an issue Neurodiversity in the Workplace^TM (NITW) is committed to addressing.

Despite successfully navigating campus life and rigorous academics, neurodivergent graduates are consistently left behind, struggling to get a foothold in the workplace. According to Drexel University’s National Autism Indicators Report, fewer than one in six autistic adults is in full-time employment. The cost of exclusion is significant, contributing to high rates of social isolation, mental health struggles and financial dependence.

NITW recognizes that autistic college students often require specialized support and access to opportunities as they explore and pursue careers. To meet this need, NITW launched our college consulting program with a focus on working jointly with disability services coordinators, career counselors, and other college professionals on a shared goal: to prepare autistic students for a successful transition to the workforce.

NITW’s consulting options incorporate years of knowledge and experience gained by working directly with talent acquisition specialists, hiring managers, and other stakeholders at enterprise companies nationwide. Our offerings address a variety of needs and include campus-wide and departmental trainings, a career development curriculum for autistic students, and a train-the-trainer approach to student support. We know each institution is unique and have created consulting options that can be individualized to meet each college’s specific needs.

Together, we can change employment outcomes for autistic college students and job seekers.

To learn more about our college consulting services, email Bridget McElroy at bmcelroy@nitw.org.