SHIFTERS SHAPE FUTURES: Nonprofit Offers Training Programs for Autism Community

Alejandro Pacheco’s passion is making the world a brighter place, and with the help of Autism Shifts, his creativity is blossoming.

Vicky Westra, Autism Shifts’ founder, says, “He went through the course and today he's doing graphic design work for us.”

Autism Shifts has created several courses for students with autism like Alejandro, as well as specialized training for families and caregivers.

“Our programs are all designed to educate, inform, get us up to speed, help us to grow, help us to have the tools and processes we need as a community, to go out and create that for ourselves,” Vicky explains.

Enrollment is currently open for two new online courses, designed specifically for individuals 18 or older on the autism spectrum. In partnership with Vocational Rehabilitation, the four-week Employment Ready course provides students with the skills needed to move into the workforce with confidence. The two-week virtual Self-Discovery Course teaches students the tools and processes they need to understand themselves and gain clarity about their future.

Vicky’s passion to help her students grow runs deep. She founded Autism Shifts more than a decade ago as a way to share the knowledge that she and her husband learned while trying to help their daughter Gabbi.

“What we're trying to do is we're trying to save parents, the agony of having to go research, all of that and really present information that we know is really valuable to know about your child about autism,” Vicky says.

Through their journey, Vicky was able to develop necessary tools, empowering the autism community with programs focusing on specialized training, resources, and connection opportunities. Vicky’s own team is proof that the programs work.

 Julie McDede is the Office Manager at Autism Shifts. She joined the team after her own son went through the Employment Ready Course.

 Julie reveals, “It opened up a completely different part of him. He was more confident in the things he wanted to do.”

Darcy Rouhani can attest to that. She is autistic and left her engineering job to join the team as a Systems Analyst after going through the courses.

“I shifted as an individual myself,” Darcy describes. She says the programs led to acceptance and personal growth, making her feel more empowered.

“I am grateful I am able to use my skills and Vicky has given me the opportunity to do so,” Darcy explains.

Vicky feels the programs at Autism Shifts are needed more than ever with a growing autistic world. According to a 2020 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in 54 children are diagnosed with autism.

“We're really wanting to equip our community,” Vicky says.

That’s why she is planning on taking her mission from local to global with exciting new initiatives. Autism Shifts’ ultimate goal is to help shift the way people think about autism, moving from a place of fear and misunderstanding to a new reality of acceptance, hope, and joy. A new future for the autism community, thanks to the grassroots efforts of a mother and her mission.

As Vicky illustrates, “I feel like it's a green zone. You know, we, we say the green zone is your happy place.”

For more information about Autism Shifts or its online programs, visit their website at AutismShifts.org or follow them on social media @autismshifts.