Speaking Topics
These are the topics that I specialize for my work due to its importance in the autism community. I do these topics for professional development at schools, general autism organizations, and annual conferences both in person and virtually.
|
Autism and Transition to Adulthood
Autism can be complex as each person has varying needs. It goes into milestones like transitioning to adulthood where internal and external factors can affect that transition. Some states agencies can provide consistent services, while families in other states are stuck within years of waitlists. Andrew focuses on the transition and what can be done before aging out of special education because he believes that individuals and parents have the power within to do more and not have to wait on someone or something. No matter what language, viewpoint on autism, or what organizations you support, I intend to empower you from my materials and live talks.
Topics Available:
Planning your Transition Roadmap
Originally presented with a few students at Manchester Community College in Connecticut, this presentation goes over how to make the most out of college. I also go over transportation, employment and other aspects of college.
Post Secondary: Creating a Self-Motivated Routine
Based on a recent experience, Andrew goes over what tools he used to create a self-routine. Given that most young adults lose their routine upon aging out of special education, it is urgent to learn those skills to adapt in the world.
Being a Self-Advocate
Learn about the basics of being a self-advocate and being active in your communities. Discover what niche you can cover in your own advocacy.
Mindful Advocacy
Self-Advocates and those interested in advocacy can learn about how to create meaningful advocacy and what pitfalls to avoid at the same time. Based on my experiences, I have come to terms with my views and the many online spaces surrounding me.
*Available for Professional Development and Keynotes*
Public Speaking 101
Designed for young adults who want to pursue their advocacy in workshop settings and legislative efforts. We go over how the components of public speaking like finding a mission to present about and where to market yourself towards places you aim to present over.
Navigating College
This represents a basic overview of college concepts like selecting a major, creating routine, using accommodations and other resources. Financial aid and other options are discussed with personal perspectives from Andrew who attended both in-person and online colleges.
Autism and Learning to Driving/Transportation
Driving is one of those topics that do not always get covered by providers and schools. Throughout my focus on this topic, I found about three reoccurring issues. The first issue is the external factors or resources of an individual’s state. The second issue being a lack of providers who are trained in working with the autism population. Finally, the third issue is usually the level of anxiety an individual or family may have about driving. Therefore, I focused on sharing how these issues can be overcome by going over my personal experiences and strategies I developed over the years to families. Knowledge can be empowering for families, and I want them to come up with ideas of my own and use it for their own paths. Driving or transportation is personal for each person, and I intend to respect that.
Topics Available:
What Driving Provided to Me: An Autistic Perspective on Driving
Learn from a self-advocate perspective on how he got into driving and how that ended up empowering him ever since then. Learning to drive had its barriers from a lack of discussion from an autistic individual perspective. With little to work from, Andrew had to do it on his own and with his dad. Once he obtained his license, he advocated for driving resources ever since to make life more doable for autistic individuals. Andrew goes over driving strategies and real-life examples of his favorite drives. Over 5 years of insight from all his driving journeys.
*Available for Professional Development and Keynotes*
Transportation 101
Targeted for schools and providers who want to know what to look at for empowering individuals and families on transportation. We cover public buses, driving and anything else people can use to be independent.
*Available for Professional Development and Keynotes*
Creating Change on Police Relations
Parents in this presentation can discover what they can do to create change in the traffic stop situation between the autism community and officers.
Driving is one of those topics that do not always get covered by providers and schools. Throughout my focus on this topic, I found about three reoccurring issues. The first issue is the external factors or resources of an individual’s state. The second issue being a lack of providers who are trained in working with the autism population. Finally, the third issue is usually the level of anxiety an individual or family may have about driving. Therefore, I focused on sharing how these issues can be overcome by going over my personal experiences and strategies I developed over the years to families. Knowledge can be empowering for families, and I want them to come up with ideas of my own and use it for their own paths. Driving or transportation is personal for each person, and I intend to respect that.
Topics Available:
What Driving Provided to Me: An Autistic Perspective on Driving
Learn from a self-advocate perspective on how he got into driving and how that ended up empowering him ever since then. Learning to drive had its barriers from a lack of discussion from an autistic individual perspective. With little to work from, Andrew had to do it on his own and with his dad. Once he obtained his license, he advocated for driving resources ever since to make life more doable for autistic individuals. Andrew goes over driving strategies and real-life examples of his favorite drives. Over 5 years of insight from all his driving journeys.
*Available for Professional Development and Keynotes*
Transportation 101
Targeted for schools and providers who want to know what to look at for empowering individuals and families on transportation. We cover public buses, driving and anything else people can use to be independent.
*Available for Professional Development and Keynotes*
Creating Change on Police Relations
Parents in this presentation can discover what they can do to create change in the traffic stop situation between the autism community and officers.
Special Education
Special Education can be empowering to individuals. While it can be complex with the laws and regulations, there is always something parents and professionals can do to ensure that the IEP plan is followed. This is why collaborations like ECHO Autism can help with that. It is a virtual meet up program that aims to bring knowledge to communities by collaborating with local and state providers nationwide.
Topics Available:
Exploration of Special Interests and How They Shaped my Life
We go over the autism term for special interests, intensive hobbies that could develop into a door for themselves and others to access. The term used to be seen as negative until the last decade when more people spoke about its potential. I go over my acceptance and how I use my special interest for my professional and social lifes. I also go over troubles that came up and the lessons it provided me.
*Available for Professional Development and Keynotes*
Fulfilling Sensory Needs
Each autistic person has their own sensory needs and challenges. This presentation goes over each sense and strategies to help you manage your needs. This presentation is targeted towards parents with children or older individuals.
Job Coaching 101
Designed for school professionals, this topic goes over tips to make your job coaching go to the next level. Having job coached for almost three years, Andrew will review concepts and experiences he had to help you make the most out of this impactful role.
*Available for Professional Development*
Special Education can be empowering to individuals. While it can be complex with the laws and regulations, there is always something parents and professionals can do to ensure that the IEP plan is followed. This is why collaborations like ECHO Autism can help with that. It is a virtual meet up program that aims to bring knowledge to communities by collaborating with local and state providers nationwide.
Topics Available:
Exploration of Special Interests and How They Shaped my Life
We go over the autism term for special interests, intensive hobbies that could develop into a door for themselves and others to access. The term used to be seen as negative until the last decade when more people spoke about its potential. I go over my acceptance and how I use my special interest for my professional and social lifes. I also go over troubles that came up and the lessons it provided me.
*Available for Professional Development and Keynotes*
Fulfilling Sensory Needs
Each autistic person has their own sensory needs and challenges. This presentation goes over each sense and strategies to help you manage your needs. This presentation is targeted towards parents with children or older individuals.
Job Coaching 101
Designed for school professionals, this topic goes over tips to make your job coaching go to the next level. Having job coached for almost three years, Andrew will review concepts and experiences he had to help you make the most out of this impactful role.
*Available for Professional Development*
Employment
Employment has been documented as one of the challenges individuals face upon aging out of school. It is also the most stereotyped with some thinking all individuals should do tech jobs. This is why I aim to decrease that stereotype by going over that the world has many work fields and that it is okay to not be tech based. I am part of human services, and my work history reflects that.
Topics Available:
Planning for Employment
Due to the employment situation with autistic individuals, this goes over what to do in order to gain employment and going over the standards for doing interviews and being ready for success. This presentation also goes over self-employment as well and Andrew will go over his experiences running Driving with Autism and the lessons he learned.
*Available for Professional Development and Keynotes*
Want to Start an Online Business? Introduction to Self-Employment
For those who are interested in self-employment, I go over my experiences in starting the Driving with Autism program for almost a year. I go over what worked and what did not work for me, so people can know what to make sure they include in their business idea.
*Available for Professional Development and Keynotes*
Job Interview Basics
Job Interviews can be a challenge for individuals, so this presentation aims to make interviews more doable. Andew goes over what to do prior to the interview, how to present yourself, and the post-interview process.
Employment has been documented as one of the challenges individuals face upon aging out of school. It is also the most stereotyped with some thinking all individuals should do tech jobs. This is why I aim to decrease that stereotype by going over that the world has many work fields and that it is okay to not be tech based. I am part of human services, and my work history reflects that.
Topics Available:
Planning for Employment
Due to the employment situation with autistic individuals, this goes over what to do in order to gain employment and going over the standards for doing interviews and being ready for success. This presentation also goes over self-employment as well and Andrew will go over his experiences running Driving with Autism and the lessons he learned.
*Available for Professional Development and Keynotes*
Want to Start an Online Business? Introduction to Self-Employment
For those who are interested in self-employment, I go over my experiences in starting the Driving with Autism program for almost a year. I go over what worked and what did not work for me, so people can know what to make sure they include in their business idea.
*Available for Professional Development and Keynotes*
Job Interview Basics
Job Interviews can be a challenge for individuals, so this presentation aims to make interviews more doable. Andew goes over what to do prior to the interview, how to present yourself, and the post-interview process.