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In this episode of Voices of Community, hosts Erin Schirm (Executive Director, Meristem) and Harry Lane speak with Sarah Howard, a graduate of Meristem’s Transformative Autism Program (TAP).

Diagnosed with autism later in life, Sarah shares her journey of self-discovery and the realities of navigating college, work, and adult life while learning to advocate for herself in systems not always designed for neurodiverse individuals. Her story offers an honest look at the challenges — and the resilience — that come with finding your voice and building confidence as an autistic adult.

In this episode:

• Sarah’s late diagnosis and how it reframed college and early career
• Common barriers autistic students and employees face in institutions
• Practical ways to identify resources and build a self-advocacy toolkit
• What educators, employers, and peers can do to make inclusion real

#VoicesOfCommunity #Autism #Neurodiversity #SelfAdvocacy #Inclusion #Meristem #TAP

Learn more at meristem.pro and tapautism.org.

Share your questions and learn more about us at meristem.pro and tapautism.org

Send us a text

Special guest Marnie Harris from Shepherd Hotels joins hosts Harry Lane and Erin Schirm from Meristem to explore how Shepherd Hotels is creating meaningful careers for individuals with developmental disabilities. Together, they discuss inclusive hiring practices, staff training and coaching strategies, and the impact of fostering workplaces where everyone can contribute their talents.

In this episode:

• How Shepherd Hotels builds a culture of belonging through inclusive employment
• Marnie shares real stories from the hospitality floor—successes, challenges, and lessons learned
• Harry and Erin connect the conversation to Meristem’s mission of preparing neurodiverse young adults for greater independence
• Insights into how businesses can lead the way in accessibility and workforce inclusion

…and more!

#inclusion #neurodiverse #hospitality #employment #meristem #shepherdhotels

Learn more about our work at meristem.pro and tapautism.org

Share your questions and learn more about us at meristem.pro and tapautism.org

Send us a text

Special guests Jacob and Jordan from Ventures ATL join Harry and Erin from Georgia to talk about how their non-profit is tackling the 80% unemployment rate of neurodiverse individuals.

Check out Ventures ATL on their website here.

In this episode:

• The mission of Ventures ATL
• Jacob and Jordan share how they got involved with Ventures ATL, and how their non-profit has evolved over the years.
• Harry and Erin discuss support strategies with Jacob and Jordan for neurodiverse employees.

…and more!

#workskills #neurodiverse #jobseekers #meristem

Share your questions and learn more about us at meristem.pro and tapautism.org