April is Autism Acceptance Month, and a South Jersey hospital exemplifies this commitment every day by providing people with autism with new opportunities to thrive in a supportive environment. The focus is on creating a welcoming atmosphere that empowers these individuals to build skills and confidence while contributing meaningfully to their community.

“We want to try to make them feel happy and make them feel comfortable,” Erik Carlson said. Carlson plays a vital role as a greeter at Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital, where he is an essential part of the welcoming team. His enthusiasm and warmth set the tone for visitors, illustrating how inclusivity can positively impact both the individual and the organization.

“It’s changed my whole life, which I’m grateful for. It’s just made me very happy. I love working with people,” Carlson said. His personal journey reflects the transformative power of meaningful employment for people with autism, allowing them to engage with the world around them in ways that enhance their quality of life.

Carlson is a graduate of Project Search, a program run by the Y.A.L.E. School that specializes in providing job training and placement for people with disabilities, particularly those on the autism spectrum. The program is designed to help participants develop essential work skills and gain valuable experience in real-world job settings.

Carlson went through a rigorous 10-month training program specifically tailored for students with autism and related disorders. This immersive experience is crafted to help individuals learn and grow at their own pace, focusing on their unique strengths and interests.

Ernie Laux, an instructor with Project Search, emphasizes a crucial shift in perspective when working with people with autism. “A lot of people think that just because somebody has a disability, everybody looks at what they can’t do. Where we turn it around and we look at what they’re good at and what they can do, and then we build on that,” Laux said. This approach not only fosters a sense of achievement but also helps to dismantle the stigma often associated with disabilities.

Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital typically hosts about six project interns at a time and has successfully hired 40% of them for various jobs within the hospital. This statistic highlights the hospital’s commitment to integrating people with autism into their workforce and creating opportunities for growth and development.

“As they gain different skills, they have more autonomy on different roles, but they always are assigned an employee to work with,” said Frank Rocco, Vice President of Operations at Jefferson Cherry Hill. This mentorship model ensures that interns receive the guidance and support they need to succeed in their positions, fostering independence and professional growth.

One of the current interns, Owen Marple, is working in the pharmacy and appreciates the program’s unique focus on helping individuals on the spectrum adapt to a professional environment. “Project Search is about giving people on the spectrum a chance to work in a real-world environment, and in my case especially, it’s helping with social skills because I’m not exactly the most social person,” Marple said. His insights reflect the broader goal of the program: to equip people with autism with the tools they need to navigate workplace dynamics and improve their social interactions.

Marple, who’s 21, is grateful for the opportunity and wants people to know this about individuals who have autism: “It doesn’t make me too too different from everyone else. It’s not cooties, for one. I may be a little bit different, but that’s what makes me, me. We’re all different in our own special way,” Marple said. His perspective is a reminder that diversity is an asset, enriching workplaces and communities with a variety of viewpoints and experiences.

Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital has been collaborating with interns from the Project Search program since 2016, showcasing the positive impact of inclusive employment practices. Through these initiatives, the hospital not only empowers people with autism but also sets a powerful example for other organizations looking to foster acceptance and understanding. As we celebrate Autism Acceptance Month, it’s important to recognize the potential of people with autism and to advocate for their inclusion in all aspects of society.