Unlock Your Potential with Our Comprehensive Work Prep Program
Thrive in Your Career: Introducing Our Work Prep Programs for Adults Experiencing Autism and Related Learning Differences
Helping you Begin and Navigate your Professional Journey
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Interpersonal Skills
Training provides a customized program for building work-relationship and social proficiencies that may not come naturally. This training focuses on techniques to improve communication, relationship building, emotional regulation, and other essential competencies. With a strengths-based, neuro-affirming approach, the program helps participants boost self-confidence while developing skills for greater personal well-being and professional success. Through interactive coaching and hands-on practice, individuals gain strategies to navigate social situations, collaborate effectively, and articulate needs.
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Marketing Yourself
An interview preparation program designed to help individuals present themselves effectively in job interviews, with an emphasis on preparing and showcasing a design or technology portfolio. The program provides guidance on assembling a portfolio, selecting relevant work samples, and articulating one's skills and experience. Mock interviews and presentation workshops allow participants to practice speaking about their background. The end goal is to equip individuals with the tools to market their talents persuasively, highlighting both technical aptitude and interpersonal strengths.
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Employment Support
This service provides dedicated assistance with securing employment for individuals who may face unique challenges in the job search process. By understanding the strengths and needs of each person experiencing autism, the program can help generate appropriate job opportunities and guide individuals through the placement process. Fidgetech takes the time to get to know each person as an individual, taking into account their skills, interests, and ideal work environment. We then leverage their connections with various employers to match qualified candidates to open internships or positions.
our work prep is part of all our certificate programs.
Meet your Interpersonal skills instructor: Barb Avila
My name is Barbara, but you may call me Barb. While I hold my undergraduate degree in Psychology and my master’s degree in Developmental Disabilities, my most significant learning experiences have come from autistic individuals. I have dedicated over 35 years to the field of autism in various roles, including Early Interventionist, Group Home Parent, Teacher, and Consultant. As a consultant, I provide training to physicians, correctional staff, school and agency personnel, as well as offering insights and support to attorneys, support professionals, parents, and autistic individuals directly.
With Fidgetech, I am proud to offer the relationship aspect to employment for the students in all of our fabulous programs. I provide both group and one-on-one support as needed to ensure their readiness for interviews and to navigate workplace social expectations that may or may not be neurodiverse affirming. By guiding each student to understand themselves and how they engage in the world, together we target self advocacy and confidence in their future places of full and satisfying employment.
In my personal life, I live about 1 hour outside of the Portland Metro in Oregon, at the foot of beautiful Mt. Hood with my partner and our sweet little dog, Rio. My son is a young adult who lives and thrives in New York City. I do hope he comes back to live on the west coast one day but for now, I cherish our visits across the country.
Welcome to Fidgetech. You are seen, valued, and celebrated here.I look forward to meeting you!