This week we’re discussing "The Power of Listening and Mentorship Programs" through the Making Mentors program. This initiative pairs autistic college students with high school students to foster connection, growth, and empowerment. Joining us are Kristen Gillespie-Lynch, Taylor (T) Abbatemarco, Louis Rotondo, and Rita Strickland to share how mentorship and peer support are transforming the autistic community. Download episode to learn more!

Resources

College Autism Network: https://collegeautismnetwork.org/

College Autism Summit: https://collegeautismnetwork.org/event/college-autism-summit-2025/

Project REACH: https://www.cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/student-affairs/programs-services/disability/projectreach/

Communication First: https://communicationfirst.org/

STEM For All: https://multiplex.videohall.com/presentations/1193/2468.html

Specialist Autism Mentoring in UK: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/professional-practice/mentoring-university

Autism and Universal Design Training for University Staff: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/349832158_Autism_UD_Training_for_FacultyTeachers_and_other_University_Staff

Presentation about Making Mentors at CUNY Neurodiversity Conference: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/393178315_Improving_Making_Mentors_How_Can_We_Use_Data_to_Improve_an_Autistic-Led_Maker-_Focused_Mentorship_Program

Participatory Research Guidelines from AASPIRE: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30939892/

Co-design resources:

https://doingresearchtogether.com.au/

https://www.beyondstickynotes.com/toolsforcoproduction

Employment Resources: https://sites.google.com/view/nsfworkshop23/employment-resources

Open-access curriculum and training for neurodiversity-affirmative STEM workshops: https://sites.google.com/view/gamedesignemploymentresources/workshop-resources-2023/training-2023

Employment Resources Autism: https://autism.org/employment-resources-for-individuals-with-autism/

https://iacc.hhs.gov/resources/employment/websites/

https://autismspectrumnews.org/empowering-autistic-job-seekers-through-mentorship/

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