Jairo Arana - Advocate
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ASPartOfMe
Veteran
Joined: 25 Aug 2013
Age: 67
Gender: Male
Posts: 35,523
Location: Long Island, New York
05 Jan 2018, 5:06 am
How one autistic adult is changing the workplace for goo
Quote:
Growing up, Jairo Arana always felt alone.
"Elementary, middle school, high school… it was very difficult for me to socialize." Jairo Arana, patient
His own family was at a loss about what to do.
"There was a lot of bullying, there was a lot of making fun of, where he didn't understand what was going on." Michelle Arana, Jairo's sister
Long after his childhood, Jairo finally was diagnosed with a form of autism called Asperger's syndrome.
"It's like I find out when I'm 40, it's like why didn't I find out before?" Jairo Arana
Like most of his peers, Jairo wanted to work and be more independent, but he didn't know where to start.
"For them to make the most of their potential, they really need assistance from people that understand their unique challenges." Deborah Chin, Manager, UM- NSU card
Like the program card. It supports and trains adults with autism for jobs.
Like the program card. It supports and trains adults with autism for jobs.
"Taught me how to seek for a job, taught me how to dress for a job, how to do an interview for a job. Workplace etiquette, behaviors, when it's time to talk when it's time not to talk." Jairo Arana
Jairo met Shelly Baer there. She developed project salt to advocate for people with disabilities.
"It stands for self-advocate leadership training." Shelly Baer, Univ. Of Miami
Jairo learned how to stand up for himself and all people with disabilities. So Shelly sent him to Capitol Hill as an advocate.
"I said he's a leader, he's a future emerging leader." Shelly Baer
Jairo says the program has changed his life. And now he knows the path he must take.
"What I feel, what I want is people with autism to be given a chance, that's what I would ask for is give us a chance." Jairo Arana
"Elementary, middle school, high school… it was very difficult for me to socialize." Jairo Arana, patient
His own family was at a loss about what to do.
"There was a lot of bullying, there was a lot of making fun of, where he didn't understand what was going on." Michelle Arana, Jairo's sister
Long after his childhood, Jairo finally was diagnosed with a form of autism called Asperger's syndrome.
"It's like I find out when I'm 40, it's like why didn't I find out before?" Jairo Arana
Like most of his peers, Jairo wanted to work and be more independent, but he didn't know where to start.
"For them to make the most of their potential, they really need assistance from people that understand their unique challenges." Deborah Chin, Manager, UM- NSU card
Like the program card. It supports and trains adults with autism for jobs.
Like the program card. It supports and trains adults with autism for jobs.
"Taught me how to seek for a job, taught me how to dress for a job, how to do an interview for a job. Workplace etiquette, behaviors, when it's time to talk when it's time not to talk." Jairo Arana
Jairo met Shelly Baer there. She developed project salt to advocate for people with disabilities.
"It stands for self-advocate leadership training." Shelly Baer, Univ. Of Miami
Jairo learned how to stand up for himself and all people with disabilities. So Shelly sent him to Capitol Hill as an advocate.
"I said he's a leader, he's a future emerging leader." Shelly Baer
Jairo says the program has changed his life. And now he knows the path he must take.
"What I feel, what I want is people with autism to be given a chance, that's what I would ask for is give us a chance." Jairo Arana
_________________
Professionally Identified and joined WP August 26, 2013
DSM 5: Autism Spectrum Disorder, DSM IV: Aspergers Moderate Severity
“My autism is not a superpower. It also isn’t some kind of god-forsaken, endless fountain of suffering inflicted on my family. It’s just part of who I am as a person”. - Sara Luterman
