Disability Awareness: Working With Autism

Spectrum Designs is a custom apparel and promotional products business with a social mission to create employment opportunities for those on the autism spectrum – a population of 5.6 million Americans that currently faces an 85% unemployment rate, according to Autism Speaks.

CEO Patrick Bardsley and his two co-founders, Stella Spanakos and Nicole Sugrue came up with the idea for Spectrum Designs while working at a special needs summer camp, where he met Greg Beyer, a camp attendee who was diagnosed with autism at the age of two. Beyer’s family – along with many others whose children have special needs – shared concerns about their children’s ability to find gainful employment, financial independence, and happiness in their adult lives. It was then that Bardsley realized he could build a business based around the capabilities of its workforce.

“When it comes to looking at people’s skill sets, there are certain generalizations around autism we can make,” Bardsley says. “An ability to tolerate and actually excel in repetitive tasks, attention to detail, dedication, honesty, loyalty. These are raw, incredible attributes that any employer would be looking for, and it just so happens that this is something that is pretty common in those with autism.”

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