Long Island, NY (By Billie Wright) - Patrick Bardsley co-founded a business, with two moms, that fills a unique gap in employment. “Our mission is to employ people on the autism spectrum. And about 60% of our integrated workforce are individuals on the spectrum.”
Spectrum Designs is a nonprofit business based in Long Island. Bardsley says they find employees a number of different ways. And there are many advantages to employing those on the autism spectrum.
"Spectrum Designs has benefitted greatly from having all kinds of minds solving different kinds of problems in our workplace."
Bardsley says the business got its start because, "necessity's the mother of all invention." He explains there was little in the way of employment opportunities once those on the spectrum graduate high school.
Some of the best moments, according to Bardsley, are when employees get that first paycheck. He describes, "You can see it in their eyes. That it's so much more than that piece of paper with some dollars on it. It's more about self-worth and structure and routine and friendships and relationships and independence and choice of where to spend your money."
Friendships are another intangible perk. "It's when you walk into the breakroom and you've seen that people have made friends with their colleagues."
Bardsley shares fabulous stories of two employees, one whom saved the shop, the other changed his perspective on everything: