Image: autismspeaks.org
After receiving his training at National Bartenders School in Woodbridge, New Jersey, Max Edelsack is a nationally licensed bartender who is seeking a position in the service industry. In his free time, Max Edelsack volunteers for a local organization that advocates for autism awareness.
Autism is a developmental disorder characterized by deficits in social communication and pervasive repetitive behavior. Due to the nature of the condition, public awareness of autism has been difficult to find.
Until recently, autism has been met with judgmental attitudes and confusion. Despite the huge range of behavioral manifestations along the autism spectrum, the uneducated public has often resorted to stereotypes, some of which are very misleading.
The stigma has greatly limited the employment opportunities of adults with autism; only 15 percent are employed. Carol Povey, director of the National Autistic Society’s Centre for Autism, believes that the most important step in changing this situation is to challenge the prevailing stereotypes. Although such a large-scale goal is a huge challenge, the goal is attainable by adopting a holistic approach at the national level while empowering people at the grassroots level to initiate change within their communities.
Max Edelsack 