Support the Spectrum

SEND POSITIVITY, CREATE OPPORTUNITY.

We’re on a mission to spread positivity and create employment opportunities. Our boxes are packed by individuals with autism and the goods inside are sourced from like-minded employers. Order now and multiply the goodness with us!

Did you know that 80% of individuals with autism are unemployed or underemployed? At A Good Job Box, we believe everyone deserves a good job! Each time you send A Good Job Box, you are helping to reduce this high unemployment rate for people with autism and others who experience systemic barriers to employment. Plus you’re sending a high-five filled with delicious snacks to say, “Good Job!” to someone who deserves it.

Jordyn has autism.  Like many parents of children with disabilities, we (her parents - Ben and Jackie) worried about what would happen when she aged out school.  The opportunities for adults with disabilities are limited.  In 2018 we shifted our focus from what was not available to the idea of creating something for her.  In June of 2018 Jordyn's Summer Shirt Project was created in our basement.  We designed a shirt with the simple but powerful words, Be Kind to Everyone.  Our goal was to sell 40 shirts to family and friends that summer with the purpose of teaching Jordyn job skills.  Fast forward to today and Jordyn now independently rolls shirts, adds wristbands and signs/stamps thank you cards.

A HUMAN RIGHTS MOVEMENT DISGUISED AS A COFFEE SHOP, where people with intellectual & developmental disabilities are valued in the workplace. It’s a place where diversity isn’t just appreciated, it’s celebrated. Bitty & Beau’s Coffee proudly employs 450+ individuals with disabilities nationwide.

Coffee for Inclusion.

Our fair-trade specialty coffee delivers bold flavors and provides meaningful opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Over 8 million people in the US have intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) and 80% of them are unemployed. That is exactly why Café Joyeux was founded.

In addition to providing meaningful opportunities to our employees, Café Joyeux aims to correct this inequality and largely promote inclusion in the workplace.

The first Café Joyeux restaurant was born in 2017 in France, employing and training people with mental and cognitive disabilities. Today there are over 25 Café Joyeux in Europe, and our first American Café Joyeux opened in New York at the beginning of 2024.

Gerrard uses vibrant colors and soft textures to create a dreamlike magic in her figural artwork. Her ADHD and autism are often her inspiration, offering viewers a window into her inner world and a unique opportunity to see their current surroundings in new ways. 

For Gerrard, “her art is about more than just her ADHD and autism; it’s about the human condition and the beauty of uniqueness. It’s about celebrating what makes us unique and empowering others to do the same.” 

She demonstrates this in her artwork through depictions of finding calm in the middle of chaos, this interpretation of the beauty of neurodiverse brains and my personal favorite, this representation of what it’s like to constantly have too many thoughts swirling around in your head. 

Besides her illustrated work, Gerrard also has a variety of beautiful photography backgrounds available for purchase, including this bundle of digital backgrounds for a newborn photoshoot.

Coffee for Good is not your ordinary high-end coffee shop, it is also a training platform for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  Our goal is to be a self-sustaining, nonprofit that provides employment based training for people with disabilities.  Coffee for Good will be giving our trainees the opportunity to succeed and be part of the local workforce.

OUR MISSION IS TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES BY REDUCING THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN THAT COMMUNITY.

Coffee for Good's three goals are:

To employ and train as many people with disabilities as possible

To be a self-sustaining nonprofit coffee shop

To be a warm and inclusive community gathering place

At Drawings by Trent we want to encourage families to help their children achieve their full potential, educate communities on the important role individuals of all skill and ability levels play, and inspire everyone to discover and use their own talents. Part of accomplishing those objectives involves helping Trent become a productive member of society while doing something he loves (that's what we all want, right?). When you purchase a piece of Trent's art you are not only supporting him, you're giving families hope.  ​

HEALTHY DOG TREATS BY SPECIAL PEOPLE

Your purchase provides employment & housing for adults with Autism & other Intellectual Disabilities.

Every donation or purchase made helps to continue employing these young adults with different abilities. A good cause all around, as your dog will love you for your purchases! Duke's Delites is a division of the Love Ran Red foundation.

More than a gift

Exit 8480 creates beautiful gifts with unique, quality products. 

Did you know we provide job training for young adults on the autism spectrum?

You give a gift, we prepare our trainees for a self-sufficient future.

Together, we can strengthen our community.

What a gift.

Extraordinary Ventures is a non-profit based in Chapel Hill, NC.

Our mission is to create and nurture self-sustaining small businesses with the philosophy that all people are employable. We focus on providing employment opportunities for an often overlooked workforce – Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities such as autism.

With every purchase at Extraordinary Gifts, you contribute to creating meaningful employment for a neurodiverse workforce.

Extraordinary Gifts also partners with other local inclusive employers for supplies and design services as much as possible to amplify the impact of each purchase throughout the community.

Enjoy your cookies! Thank you for helping me realize my dreams - one box at a time.

“Bake someone happy”

Master Baker, Julia Maidman, is delighted to share her art of baking with you. Her devotion to cooking focuses on cookies, breads and a few surprise holiday creations. Her desire is to bake us happy. Julia is a delightful autistic young lady who has been fortunate to have the support of friends and family. With their support she has found her calling in the kitchen. Some have even said that she has, “golden hands.” Hello Julia is a testament that we can all achieve our dreams, and to ensure she is passing along her blessing she donates a portion of her proceeds to charity! So not only do you get to enjoy a great treat, your purchase gives back to the community.

Inspiration and Hope

We want to show the world what is possible. We want to show the world what people with differing abilities can do when given a chance. We know that people with differing abilities are ready, willing and able to work. We make this happen in ways large and small:

John, a young man with Down syndrome, is our leader and the face of our business.

We hire people with differing abilities and build our workforce around them.

We show what people can do through videos, presentations, articles and special events. We host school tours – both at our site and through Skype. We host work groups from schools and social service agencies. Mark and John speak at conferences, graduations, business meetings and other events to highlight what we do here and what people with differing abilities can do.

We advocate for changes in Law and policy to support the rights of people with differing abilities to work and to retaining their earnings.

Little Rebels: upstanders who embrace differences. Our cause is kindness and inclusion. Help us spread it, one tee at a time! Each purchase supports nonprofit disability services and advocacy.

Madam Clutterbucket's Neurodiverse Universe is working to show by example that inclusive workplaces are possible in all communities. We are highlighting the talents of neurodivergent adults, calling out ableism and bringing an edge to disability advocacy merchandise that celebrates neurodiversity. We carry vintage and new items, disability advocacy items, as well as eccentric and altogether punk rock merchandise. It is the perfect spot to find gifts for your coolest friends. From freaky antiques to hilarious accessories, Madam Clutterbucket's Neurodiverse Universe stands out as a must-see downtown experience!

Madam Clutterbuckets Neurodiverse Universe is a retail store staffed by adults with developmental disabilities. We are a family-owned business that believes that neurodiversity makes our communities stronger and abilities always outweigh disabilities.

We provide on site work support including job coaching and community building so our employees abilities, rather than disabilities, are recognized.

(Check out their fidgets!)

SUPPORT the AUTISM COMMUNITY with NEST

For every Eau de Parfum, Perfume Oil, and fine fragrance set purchased on nestnewyork.com we will donate $1 per item to NEXT for Autism.

Philament3d is a 3d print shop on Etsy created and run by Philip Stetler, an autistic adult.

I first got started with 3d printing all the way back in 2015 as a hobby. I was in a robotics group in high school that had a 3d printer and just found it so fascinating. When i graduated high school i saved up for a 3d printer of my own and started to make lots of cool stuff not only for me but family and friends. Then during covid i found a way to help others and keep me busy by making the mask relief straps with my printers and wondered what else i could do. Fast forward to 2023 i purchased my first bambu P1S and started a business and have since expanded to 2 P1S printers and 2 A1 printers and started my etsy store. I hope you all will enjoy all the stuff i make as much as i enjoy making them.

Creating "Popportunity"

Popcorn for the People was established in 2014 as a social enterprise model dedicated to creating meaningful and lasting jobs for adults with autism and developmental disabilities. Our business model can be replicated, sustained and the standard for others to follow.

Our vision is to ensure that ALL adults with autism and developmental disabilities can experience the joy of accomplishment that comes from steady employment.

We have 5 unique flavors that are all purposefully crafted because just like our employees, they each bring something valuable to the table.

“Joe Steffy created Poppin Joe's Gourmet Kettle Korn in 2005 and has enjoyed the fruits of his success ever since. The business was originally launched with the help of Stuffy’s parents and a grant from the Kansas Department of Developmental Disabilities, though Stuffy is the sole proprietor of his company now. 

As a man with Down syndrome and autism spectrum disorder, Stuffy’s business gives him the opportunity to live life independently. Stuffy sells six types of popcorn in a variety of retail channels, as well as through his Etsy shop. He also partners with local communities to help fundraise for and aid local economies, using the popcorn as their product.”

Cookies With Heart

Reason to Bake is an artisanal small-batch bakery, specializing in gluten-free, all natural cookies and bundt cakes that are freshly made from scratch and are available through local vendors in North Carolina. Their mission is to grow a successful company that hires and trains intellectually disabled adults, while providing delicious baked goods for a gluten-free lifestyle. They create an environment in which life is sweet, creativity thrives, and there are no limits to what anyone can learn and accomplish.

Gluten & Grain free Pretzels.

It’s a no grainer!

We proudly support autism organizations and autistic adults through both financial giving and direct employment.

Our mission to grow neurodiversity in the workplace is deeply personal to us. Our daughter Kelly has taught us to embrace all the unique ways she approaches the world, inspiring us all to be more present and appreciate how everyone does things differently.

At Savor By Suzie, we believe every person deserves the time and space to make their own meaningful impact, and we're honored to create a workplace where that belief becomes reality. Inclusion isn't just a value we talk about — it's how we operate every day.

Through a sense of belonging, we can finally see how wonderful this world this truly will be when we all work together in our zones of genius.

Passing the
Biscotti Baton

We are thrilled to share some big news about what’s next for SMILE Biscotti and our son Matt.

Together with the AZ Autism Charter School’s Essential Piece Entrepreneurial Program, we’re creating more work experiences for adults with autism and adding more dimensions to the SMILE acronym – Supporting My Independent Living Enterprise.

New workforce experiences will be available for young adults with autism this summer and fall through blending SMILE Biscotti, a private entrepreneurial venture, with Essential Piece Enterprise, a new sister entity of Arizona Autism Charter Schools.

bold faces with big personality

Quality Shoelaces by Individuals with Special Needs and Veterans.

Supporting Special Faces means empowering a vibrant community of individuals with special needs and veterans who pour creativity, dedication, and resilience into every shoelace they craft. Your patronage doesn't just secure you a unique, high-quality product; it also champions a cause that promotes inclusivity, dignity, and economic opportunity for our extraordinary staff.

Spectrum Designs and Spectrum Suds are by design operationally self-sustaining through sales; all fundraising proceeds go to expansion and advancement.

Staff are paid at least minimum wage, creating an environment where both our employees and the economy can prosper.

Mission: To create meaningful and inclusive employment opportunities for people on the Autism Spectrum.

Spoonie Sister Shop Founder and Owner Michelle Griffith started her business based on one simple idea: “to help those with chronic illness feel understood, validated, and supported on their medical journeys.” 

As someone with several different chronic illnesses herself, Griffith aimed to provide a fun, artistic way to bring awareness many different conditions and to let those who have them show off that part of their identity with pride. She also lets customers choose a non-profit organization they’d like their purchase to contribute to in order to further medical research, advocacy, and patient resources. 

There’s a whole host of items to choose from, including apparel, stickers, mugs, and blankets. You can even design your own rare disease awareness item if you can’t find your condition listed already (or if you want to feature more than one). 

The name of the site comes from the idea of those with chronic conditions being called “spoonies.” This term gained recognition thanks to Christine Miserandino’s 2003 essay called, “The Spoon Theory.” In it, Miserandino describes what it’s like living with chronic conditions, using spoons as a metaphor for energy to do particular tasks. The namesake has since become wildly popular among disabled and neurodiverse audiences and is widely understood within those circles.

“Our product may be dog treats, but our mission is to provide daily purpose for adults with a wide range of intellectual and developmental disabilities."

Team Woofgang & Co is a non-profit organization committed to empowering adults with a wide range of intellectual and developmental disabilities through vocational skill training, life-long learning, and social opportunities. Our team members participate in two unique curriculums that include producing, packaging, marketing, and selling handmade dog treats and pet toys.

Team Wolfgang & Co. is committed to offering our services at no charge to team members or their families.

Trevor Dealy is a sweet-natured, young man who is now in the artisanal soap business. Trevor is developmentally much younger than his years, has autism, and suffers from a range of medical conditions. It is fair to say that Trevor has his share of lemons in life, but instead of lemonade, he is making beautifully crafted small-batch soaps. 

​​Trev's Trades serves as a work transition program for Trevor, giving him a place to develop skills and contribute to a real-world product. He is instrumental in brainstorming ideas for soap, researching recipes, and planning out the steps necessary to make an actual product: reading, researching, measuring, managing a project timeline, working with molds and tools, assembling and packaging orders, and sales. Trevor gets to see how a business runs and plays an integral part in all stages of operation.

Thank you Johns Crazy Socks!

12 Great Companies Started By People With Autism or Down Syndrome

Thank you NEXT for AUTISM!

NEXT for AUTISM has compiled a list of autistic led businesses or organizations whose business supports neurodivergent hiring or initiatives.

Thank you PRI Plus!

Shining a Light on 8 Autistic Owned Businesses

Autism Speaks is excited to share this growing list of small businesses and organizations that are owned or run by autistic adults and/or committed to employing individuals with autism and other special needs. Browse our directory to find their amazing products and services, many of which are available to purchase online. 

10 DISABLED-AND NEURODIVERGENT-OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES WORTH SUPPORTING

Small businesses with huge potential