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Tag: GildaEvans

Racers for Autism with Jordan Modiano

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Jordan is a race car driver, business owner, motivational speaker, and proud Autism Super Dad. He is the founder of Racers 4 Autism, a nonprofit using motorsports to drive awareness, inclusion, and acceptance for individuals on the spectrum. He also leads two Express Employment Professionals offices in Upstate NY, where he brings his passion for leadership and purpose-driven work to life. He speaks across the country about resilience, leadership, and the lessons learned from raising a daughter with autism, running a business, and racing full throttle—both on the track and in life.

Critical Adjustments for Employment Opportunities with Ricki Macken-Chilvers

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Ricki’s education in marriage and family therapy, and her 25 years of experience working in mental health services with children and disability services for adults, has influenced her vision to run an agency that meets the needs of the clients served by, as well as the employees who work at, Pleasantview Industries. With significant nonprofit and social services experience, Ricki is now learning about the world of business with the hope of helping businesses see the opportunities they have in connecting with one of the least accessed workforce resources across the nation – individuals with disabilities.

Human-Centered AI with Derek Crager

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Derek Crager is a late-diagnosed autistic and ADHD professional who spent a lifetime misunderstood — until he found his voice in technology. With a background in industrial reliability and a mind wired for pattern recognition, Derek turned personal struggle into purpose, founding Practical AI and the community hub AIforAutistics.com.

Through his work, Derek helps neurodivergent individuals harness AI not just to cope — but to create, earn, and thrive. His flagship tool, Pocket Mentor, offers voice-powered guidance in industrial settings, proving that AI can be both human-centered and practical.

Toastmasters, Public Speaking and Making Connections with Judi Uttal and Dr. Sasha Zeedyk

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Judi Uttal is president of the Orange County Asperger’s Support Group, a nonprofit organization improving the quality of life for individuals and families dealing with high-functioning autism. She is a member of several organizations, all working to support the neurodiverse community. In 2022, Judi founded the Autism in Entertainment Workgroup to help support inclusion in the entertainment industry. She is the mother of a 33-year-old son who was diagnosed with Autism at the age of three.

Dr. Sasha Zeedyk is an Associate Professor at California State University in Fullerton. Her research is mainly focused on the social and behavior skills of youth with autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disabilities across the course of development. She is interested in understanding how behavior problems and social skills relate to social, mental health, and academic outcomes for these youth, as well as how these skills impact their parents’ psychological well-being. Recently, she has begun to study postsecondary outcomes for youth with ASD who attend college.

Supporting Siblings with Jessica Siegel

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Jessica is the founder of The Center for Siblings of People with Disabilities and the author of Billy’s Sister: Life when your sibling has a disability–a picture book based on her experiences growing up with her brother, Billy, who has autism. She has also spent over a decade working in nonprofit marketing and communications and is the owner of Sing Creative Group. 

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My Autism Superpower with JD Barker

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J.D. Barker is an international bestselling American author whose work has been broadly described as suspense thrillers, often incorporating elements of horror, crime, mystery, science fiction, and the supernatural. He was diagnosed with autism at the age of 22, and considers it one of the main reasons he is so successful. 

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The Importance of Self-Care with Liz Gabor

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Liz is a certified Kundalini Yoga and Meditation Teacher, a certified Transformation Coach and Trainer and a Wellness Retreat Leader. Her teachings include providing accessible tools to regulate the nervous system, tune into one’s inner guidance, expand awareness, and go beyond perceived limits. Her work is deeply rooted in helping to cultivate self-care rituals and practices that create resilience and foster a kinder and gentler way of being with oneself, and in turn, with others.

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The Autism Narrative with Heidi Rome

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Heidi Rome, is a speaker, author, coach, facilitator, advocate, mentor, perspective re-framer, solace-bringer, and mother of two sons, one with severe autism. Author of You Just Have to Love Me and creator of the Win/When Skillsets, she understands how to overcome overwhelm through loving kindness toward oneself and others. As founder of Moms Spectrum Oasis, Heidi is spreading the word that it’s time to change the narrative around autism if we are to live the ideals of true inclusion and belonging. 

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Employment and Inclusion with James Emmett

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James is Founder/CEO of James Emmett & Company also known as JEC. It is one of the most recognizable brands in the field of disability inclusion and is a global leader in the implementation of disability inclusion initiatives with essential businesses. James has worked with companies like Advance Auto Parts, Walgreens, Lowe’s, Best Buy, and Office Depot to help plan & execute initiatives that have resulted in over 100,000 jobs for people with disabilities and has received numerous awards for innovation related to company-owned disability inclusion. 

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Parenting Tips with Kelley Coleman

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Kelley Coleman is a feature film development executive turned author and advocate for parent caregivers and individuals with disabilities. Her book Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child: Your Guide to the Essential Systems, Services, and Supports draws upon over a decade of experience as a parent caregiver, and gives parents the tools to spend less time with paperwork and more time loving their kids exactly as they are. 

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