Creating Opportunities for Entrepreneurship for People with Learning Differences

By Karen Kaplan, MS

In our current times, fewer opportunities are becoming available for individuals with neurodiversity, learning differences, or uniqueness. So, why not help people explore the possibility of becoming an entrepreneur?

I remember when I was nine years old and I told my father that I wanted to open a school of my own to support those who were considered different. He did not look at me as someone with a crazy idea. He, instead, drove me through the streets of San Francisco and said, “Could that building be a good school for you, or what about that one, or that one?” He helped me believe in myself. He helped me think it's possible. Then he gave me some key advice. Gather your knowledge, gain some experience, and then find the strength and courage to make it happen.

Perhaps your child has an interest, obsession, or enthusiasm that might lead them to set up a business, with your help, that embraces that interest or that obsession. Check out Uniquely Human: Updated and Expanded: A Different Way of Seeing Autism: Prizant Ph.D., Barry M., Fields-Meyer, Tom: 9781982193898: Amazon.com: Books 

As the years have passed, I have witnessed many new start-ups capitalizing on the interests of those with autism/special needs/learning differences. Check out About – SMILE Biscotti, Entrepreneur on the Autism Spectrum: Designs by Siri - Autism Housing Network, Connecting with An Underserved Community – How Car Washes and the Autistic Community Shine Together, Bitty & Beau's Coffee | The Original Inclusive Coffee Shop, Rarefindit | Channel Awesome | Fandom, Meditation, Zen and Autism: The Journey of Anlor Davin - Uniquely Human: The Podcast. About Us – Jessicas Haven and Rescue

Of course, individuals may need a team to support them, but don’t all start-ups? The entrepreneur may have the passion, the skill, the interest, and the motivation to engage in the start-up, but may need help in identifying resources to make it happen. They may need help with organizing the business, some social issues, networking, and of course, fiscal management, but his or her strength in creating, keeping focused, being persistent, and expressing enjoyment will keep the team going.

First, parents, you must be a great detective and discover your individual’s interests, expand them, and encourage them. Maybe they enjoy writing, reading, music, or animals, cooking something, constructing something, cleaning something, taking things apart, gaming, or meditation. Any of these might lead to a start-up business. Next, tell their school teachers and speech therapists about these intense interests and hope they might incorporate the topic in teaching or therapy sessions. Teachers, it is possible that research projects could come from this enthusiasm.

Parents, connect with other parents who have helped their individuals create a start-up. (see the above websites). Maybe a collaboration is possible.

Research grant opportunities, start-up funding resources, campaigning capital dollars, non-profits that support new and innovative businesses, and, of course, Workforce Dollars. The government is eager to support the development of a skilled workforce. Perhaps your son or daughter’s ideas will offer a much-needed opportunity to create a new workforce.

I remember someone sharing with me that their son became the best washer and dryer salesperson, as he knew everything about every model of washer and dryer. Maybe your daughter draws amazing pictures, and you could start a puzzle line. Maybe your son enjoys using his iPhone to take pictures and could make them into a line of greeting cards. Perhaps you love to grow vegetables and could sell starter plants each season. Maybe you're an individual who is methodical about washing windows and might start up a neighbor window washing service.

Get creative. Watch them. Listen to them. See where their curiosity takes them. They, too, could be an entrepreneur, and you could be on the development team.

Karen Kaplan, MS, is a native San Franciscan. She completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, in speech pathology and audiology. She minored in special education and obtained her speech therapist and special education credentials in California. Karen worked as a speech therapist for schools for 20 years before opening her own residential and education program for students with autism. She worked in credential programs at Sacramento State University as well as UC Davis and spent 20 years directing private schools for those with autism and similar learning challenges.

Karen founded a non-profit, Offerings, which helps cultures globally to understand those with developmental challenges. For seven years, she founded and facilitated an autism lecture series and resource fair in Northern California. Karen still facilitates an annual Autism Awesomeness event. She is currently consulting, helping families, schools, and centers for children, teens, and adults. Karen has authored three books: Reach Me Teach Me: A Public School Program for the Autistic Child; A Handbook for Teachers and Administrators, On the Yellow Brick Road: My Search for Home and Hope for the Child with Autism, and Typewriting to Heaven… and Back: Conversations with My Dad on Death, Afterlife and Living  (which is not about autism but about having important conversations with those we love).

www.karenkaplanasd.com