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TESTIMONIALS

“We’ve awarded her the 2021 Bell Let’s Talk Start-up Award in recognition of her work to provide the neurodiverse community w/ compassionate & effective job coaching & career support.
             Read Karen’s story: https://risehelps.ca/impact-stories1/
Rise

ASpectrum has been instrumental in helping my nephew in his job search as a 23 year old adult on the autism spectrum during this pandemic. Thanks to their support and coaching he was able to land a full time position that seems to be a great fit for him. His job coach has been there to facilitate his orientation and training in his new position as well as liaise with the employer. I am confident with ASpectrum’s ongoing support that this will be a successful placement for my nephew and help him reach his full potential. I would highly recommend ASpectrum to parents and care givers navigating job search with their neurodiverse loved one. ASpectrum’s knowledge, experience and expertise has helped us tremendously.

Asima A. (2022)

In December 2020 when people were losing their jobs, I was fortunate enough to have employment support from: Karen Clarke director of operations of ASPECTRUM. Karen helped me from the first day I applied for the job, from the interviews even up to the first 3 months of my employment, I still have her support, she always asks about my concerns . Karen helped me believe in myself from the first call; she assured me that I would get the job, she followed up with the employment with explanation about my situation and also all the clarification I wanted to know about the offer. She tried her best to get all the benefits that I was entitled to. During the interview process, I had mock interviews with Karen where she walked me through all possible interview questions. She made me understand the logic behind all the questions so I could be better prepared for the real interview questions. I had her support during the interview as well, whenever I forgot some important points, she simply explained it and reminded me about all the possible answers that we were practising during the mock interviews. I recommend the service especially for disabled people. Karen is knowledgeable about the process and she knows how to help improve one’s performance during the interviews. They are such a miracle especially for people who do not have much of a choice sometimes.

Fatemeh Jalambadani (2020)

It was an absolute pleasure working with Aspectrum, specifically Karen and Julien, on their collaboration with the OTL culinary program. They provided immense support for the participants as well as me. They gave valuable feedback that allowed me as an instructor to help each participant excel in their own way. They were a constant support system for the participants going as far as creating breakout rooms after our group class to field additional questions and concerns. ASpectrum was in constant communication with participants helping them to set and achieve goals during the program. I felt a sense of comfort having them in my class as they helped me to navigate situations that arose with participants. OTL together with Aspectum was able to create a healthy, safe, comfortable, and inclusive learning environment for all.

Chef Kyla (2020)

ASpectrum has surpassed our expectations with respect to the support and advocacy offered to my son in his first official paid job. Our job coach has been there every step of the way. Several times our job coach, Julien, has been able to encourage E. to advocate for himself and to ensure that all accommodations are being implemented and followed. Our job coach has been updating us regularly as well so that we can continue to have conversations at home and practice social stories of situations that he will encounter while in the workplace. The job coach has been a phenomenal support to my son initially going into the workplace for most of his shift eventually moving to a short check-in during this shift. ASpectrum has been very pivotal in identifying ways that his employer can be more inclusive and accommodating while at the same time encouraging his independence… Our job coach was patient and worked with my son to teach him his new job tasks in a way that he would understand using a lot of modelling to show him how to do things correctly. The communication between ASpectrum, the [ Employer ] and our family has been nothing but superior, clear and timely ensuring that we were all on the same page. I believe that my son’s placement at the Abilities Centre has been successful largely part in parcel due to the ongoing and consistent support that we have received from ASpectrum. I would highly recommend ASpectrum if you have an adult child looking to be successful and independent on the job; not just for a first time job but for a change in job or trying something new. I can honestly say ASpectrum is now a part of our village. Karen is a truly committed and passionate individual who is so invested in creating inclusive workplaces and helping create opportunities for our adult children to be successful independent adults. – Debbie S.

Debbie S. (2022)

(ASpectrum) is very much appreciated for being forward thinking and action oriented! ASpectrum is the best thing that has come into A.R. ‘s life regarding employment.

H.R. (2021)

Job coaches sourced from ASpectrum were one of the biggest assets during our partnership. ASpectrum truly went above and beyond in the supports they provided prior to, during, and after the training cohort. Because of their flexibility and ability to provide in-person supports participants were able to get the individualized supports they require on-site. They had a strong focus on rapport and relationship building which contributed to participants feeling comfortable and being able to communicate openly. The takeaway for participants was impactful with regards to employment and hard skills that were taught and practiced, as well as life skills and soft skills such as teamwork, time management, communication, and initiative.

Project Fast Track (2020)

Delivery was flexible, and we were able to do a combination of virtual and in-person. The virtual days were used to prepare for the in-person shifts which focussed on hands-on experience. This was the only training cohort we were able to deliver in-person due to COVID- 19 restraints. This was beneficial for providing participants with experiential learning opportunities to practice and complete work tasks and duties

Project Fast Track (2020)

I want to really thank Julien for being so patient and understanding of M.’s needs and making him feel so special and useful. He is really missing you this week. And he is already asking me when he will be going again with Julien. M. learned so many new skills and rules and social norms for work through this program and as I said earlier it is a great testament to Julien that he was able to keep them engaged and happy throughout the program. M. shared his experience at school and with his ABA team and everyone. He really felt good about himself and it made us happy to see him smile after this long difficult year. And it also gave us the confidence to try more programs like this in future for M.

Purvi Naik (2020)

Hi Jessica, Kiara & Julien,

I wanted to send you this email early in the week but I got busy with something unexpected. I just want to say thanks to all of you for giving M. this wonderful opportunity to work, meet new people and really giving him and us this new experience. I want to really thank Julien for being so patient and understanding of M.’s needs and making him feel so special and useful. He is really missing you this week. And he is already asking me when he will be going again with Julien
M. learned so many new skills and rules and social norms for work through this program and as I said earlier it is a great testament to Julien that he was able to keep them engaged and happy throughout the program. M. shared his experience at school and with his ABA team and everyone. He really felt good about himself and it made us happy to see him smile after this long difficult year. And it also gave us the confidence to try more programs like this in future for M.

And pls let us know in future if anything comes up that M. can be a part of.

Thanks again to all of you from the bottom of our hearts. And I don’t have Daniele (Novellus) email but pls let her know that we are very appreciative of her being such a sweet and cool boss to M. Also for the birthday celebrations.

Jignesh Naik (2020)
Parent of client

To the team members of ASpectrum,

The support you offer to job seekers, employees, and employers, based on your valuable expertise, is
necessary to recognize the skills of job seekers on the autism spectrum or with an intellectual disability
and allows them to contribute fully to the economic vitality of businesses. Working with your agency is a
key to the success of the inclusive employment journey. Your commitment is much appreciated, and we
sincerely thank you for your involvement with RWA. We truly could not do this without you.

Lionel Boodlal, Kristen Stokl, Siobhan Costelloe, and Jackie Moore (2022)

MEDIA

We Are ASpectrum | INTRO ANIMATION VIDEO