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That’s where programs like Autism at Work come in: They source qualified neurodivergent talent and provide a support system with the right accommodations and resources to help employees like Deards succeed.ĭeards recalls being connected with the JPMorgan Chase Occupational Health department early in his tenure. “It’s not like there’s an infrastructure we can use to find out our skills.” “Unfortunately, people on the spectrum like me are extremely underemployed and underrepresented in STEM positions,” he says. It leaves you with whiplash.”įortunately for Deards, he had teachers who went the extra mile, along with others who took the time to support him and help him discover his strengths and interests.

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“But people didn’t know how to handle those things back then. “Many of these things are completely understandable now, given my autism diagnosis,” Deards says.

On top of that, he faced frequent social challenges because he was more comfortable working with numbers than engaging in casual conversation. He recalls missing out on opportunities growing up because he was on the spectrum: Deards’ place in secondary school was withdrawn once they found out about his disability, and he was given eight weeks to find a new school he was dropped from his chemistry class another time due to his disability. If it sounds like Deards has found his place at J.P. Morgan, he’d be the first to admit it hasn’t always been easy fitting in.