HAAPE, 2531 Golf View Drive, Weston, FL (2026)

06/02/2026

🤝 Building Neuroinclusive Futures: HAAPE & CareerSource Florida Empowering Autistic Talent Across Florida 🤝

Meaningful inclusion requires more than awareness—it requires opportunity, infrastructure, & partnerships that create real pathways to employment. That is why HAAPE (Helping Adults with Autism Perform & Excel) is proud to spotlight its partnership with CareerSource Florida, a statewide workforce leader helping expand neuroinclusive employment opportunities for autistic & neurodivergent adults across Florida.

CareerSource Florida serves as the state’s workforce policy & investment board, supporting a network of 24 local workforce development boards & nearly 100 career centers statewide. Through this infrastructure, job seekers can access training, career counseling, internships, & employment resources designed to strengthen long-term economic independence.

Together, HAAPE & CareerSource Florida are helping bridge the “services cliff” many autistic individuals face after high school or college, when structured educational supports often disappear. By combining HAAPE’s autism-focused training & advocacy with CareerSource Florida’s employer network & workforce programs, this partnership helps connect neurodivergent talent with meaningful, sustainable careers.

Local CareerSource centers also provide Disability Navigators & workforce specialists who assist individuals with résumé development, interview preparation, accommodations, & career planning.
Several regional programs additionally support neuroinclusive hiring initiatives, paid training opportunities, & employment pathways tailored to diverse learning & communication styles.

Importantly, CareerSource locations also participate in programs such as Ticket to Work, helping eligible individuals receiving disability benefits explore employment while maintaining critical support systems during career transitions.

At HAAPE, we believe autistic & neurodivergent individuals deserve workplaces where they are respected, accommodated, & empowered to thrive—not merely included. Partnerships like this demonstrate how community organizations, employers, & workforce leaders can collaborate to build a more accessible & equitable future for all.

06/01/2026

🌏♾️ Alexandre Mapurunga: Advancing Neurodiversity, Inclusion, & Disability Rights Across Brazil & Beyond 🌏♾️

Brazilian autistic self-advocate Francisco Alexandre Dourado Mapurunga—widely known as Alexandre Mapurunga—has become one of the most influential leaders in the global neurodiversity & disability rights movement. Through advocacy, policymaking, & education reform, he has helped shift conversations about autism away from deficit-based thinking & toward dignity, accessibility, & human rights.

As Director of Special Education Policies from an Inclusive Perspective within Brazil’s Ministry of Education (MEC), Mapurunga has worked to strengthen inclusive education policies so autistic & disabled students can learn alongside their peers with meaningful accommodations & support. His leadership reflects the disability rights principle, “Nothing About Us Without Us,” emphasizing that autistic & disabled people must have a direct voice in decisions affecting their lives.

Mapurunga also served as President & Technical Director of ABRAÇA, one of Brazil’s leading autistic-led advocacy organizations. Unlike many traditional disability organizations historically directed by non-disabled professionals, ABRAÇA centers lived experience & self-advocacy. His work with international groups such as RIADIS & the UN Economic Commission for Latin America & the Caribbean has further expanded conversations around disability inclusion throughout Latin America.

Openly autistic himself, Mapurunga has spoken candidly about sensory overload, accessibility barriers, & the importance of accommodations—not “fixing” neurodivergent people. He has also challenged “inspiration porn,” the harmful tendency to portray disabled people merely as motivational stories instead of recognizing them as experts, professionals, & leaders.

At HAAPE, we believe leaders like Alexandre Mapurunga remind the world that neurodiversity inclusion is not charity—it is a matter of equity, representation, & human rights. By advocating for accessible education, supported decision-making, & community inclusion, he continues helping autistic & neurodivergent people build futures grounded in autonomy, respect, & belonging.

05/28/2026

The Nimoy Knight Foundation is proud to recognize Dr. Larry Rothman, co-founder and CEO of HAAPE (Helping Adults with Autism Perform & Excel), for his extraordinary commitment to creating meaningful employment pathways for autistic and neurodivergent individuals.

Through HAAPE, Dr. Rothman has helped build innovative workforce ecosystems that connect education, industry, and community partners to create sustainable career opportunities rooted in dignity, purpose, and inclusion. His work is transforming how employers recognize talent, embrace neurodiversity, and strengthen their organizations through inclusive hiring.

By championing programs in advanced manufacturing, aerospace, technology, and workforce development, HAAPE continues to demonstrate that when individuals are empowered to perform and excel, entire communities benefit.

We celebrate Dr. Rothman and the HAAPE team for leading with vision, compassion, and action — and for proving that inclusion is not just the right thing to do, it is a pathway to innovation and opportunity for all.

Live Long and Prosper! 🖖

05/28/2026

♿ A Fearless Voice for Disability Rights, Autism Advocacy, & Independent Living: Anita Cameron ♿

Disability rights activist Anita Cameron has spent nearly 40 years fighting for accessibility, civil rights, & dignity for disabled people across the US—including autistic & neurodivergent individuals.

As an openly autistic, Black, Afro-Latina, Choctaw, disabled le***an & longtime community organizer, Cameron has become one of the most influential voices in the disability justice movement. Her advocacy has centered on accessible transportation, voting rights, Medicaid protections, independent living, & inclusive emergency preparedness systems that do not leave disabled people behind during crises.

Cameron played a pivotal role in the grassroots activism that helped secure passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990, one of the most important civil rights laws in US history. Through organizations like ADAPT, she has participated in decades of nonviolent direct action & civil disobedience to demand systemic change & equal access for disabled communities.

Her work is especially impactful for autistic & neurodivergent individuals because it emphasizes autonomy, self-determination, accessibility, & human rights over stigma & forced conformity. Cameron has consistently advocated for disabled people to lead conversations about policies & services that affect their lives—reflecting the disability rights principle, “Nothing About Us Without Us.”

She has also helped expand public understanding of intersectionality by highlighting how race, gender, disability, sexuality, poverty, & neurodivergence often overlap in ways that shape access to healthcare, housing, transportation, education, & safety.

At HAAPE, we celebrate advocates like Anita Cameron whose lifelong activism continues helping build a more inclusive, accessible, & compassionate world for autistic & neurodivergent people everywhere.

05/26/2026

♾️ The Autistic Rights Movement: Building A More Inclusive World Through Acceptance & Self-Advocacy ♾️

The autistic rights movement—a.k.a. the autism acceptance movement—is a global civil rights movement led primarily by autistic individuals advocating for dignity, accessibility, inclusion, & self-determination.

Rooted in the neurodiversity paradigm, the movement recognizes autism not as a defect to be “cured,” but as a natural variation of human neurology. Its guiding principle, “Nothing About Us Without Us,” emphasizes that autistic people must have a direct voice in policies, research, education, healthcare, & support systems that affect their lives.

The movement began gaining momentum in the early 1990s when autistic self-advocates like Jim Sinclair co-founded Autism Network International (ANI), one of the 1st autistic-led organizations. Sinclair’s landmark 1993 speech, “Don’t Mourn for Us,” challenged society to stop viewing autistic people as tragedies & instead value autistic lives & identities.

In 1996, sociologist Judy Singer introduced the term “neurodiversity,” helping establish the philosophical framework for modern autism acceptance advocacy. The internet later allowed autistic individuals worldwide to connect, organize, & share lived experiences in ways that were previously inaccessible.

Since then, the movement has profoundly improved the lives of autistic & neurodivergent people by helping destigmatize stimming, validating AAC & non-speaking communication, promoting sensory accommodations, & advocating for trauma-informed, neuro-affirming supports rather than compliance-based approaches.

Autistic-led advocacy has also influenced workplace inclusion initiatives, disability policy, education reform, & research priorities focused on quality of life, housing, employment, & mental health across the lifespan.

At HAAPE, we believe autism acceptance means building communities where autistic & neurodivergent people are respected, empowered, accommodated, & celebrated exactly as they are.

05/22/2026

♾️ May 22, 2013 - How The DSM-5 Reshaped Autism Understanding, Advocacy, & Support ♾️

On May 22, 2013, the publication of the 5th edition of the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) marked a historic turning point in how autism is clinically understood, legally recognized, & socially discussed.

One of the most significant changes was the unification of previous diagnoses—including Asperger’s Syndrome, Autistic Disorder, & PDD-NOS—under one broader diagnosis: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This shift recognized that autism exists along a continuum of experiences & support needs, rather than within rigid categories.

While the DSM-5 was not written as an advocacy document, its restructuring profoundly impacted autistic & neurodivergent individuals by validating diverse lived experiences & helping clinicians move toward more individualized support systems.

The DSM-5 also introduced support-need levels & emphasized two core domains: social communication differences & restricted/repetitive behaviors. This allowed providers to better identify sensory, communication, executive functioning, & behavioral support needs without relying solely on outdated “high-functioning” or “low-functioning” labels.

Importantly, the DSM-5 included protections ensuring that individuals previously diagnosed under DSM-IV criteria would continue qualifying for services & accommodations. This helped preserve access to educational supports, therapies, workplace accommodations, & healthcare resources for countless autistic people & families.

The publication also sparked important conversations within the neurodiversity movement about identity, language, inclusion, & self-advocacy—discussions that continue shaping autism acceptance efforts today.

At HAAPE, we believe understanding the history of autism advocacy & diagnosis helps build a more informed, compassionate, & neuro-inclusive future where autistic people are supported, respected, & empowered.

05/20/2026

💚 Rooted In Community: Advancing Neurodiversity & Mental Wellness Through Inclusive Spaces 💚

The connection between mental health advocacy & neurodiversity awareness continues to grow through community-centered events that recognize how sensory overload, stigma, burnout, & lack of accommodation can deeply affect autistic & neurodivergent individuals.

On May 21, 2026, two Chicago-based events are helping advance those conversations in meaningful ways...
• A Night in Green: The 4th Annual Gala at the WNDR Museum, hosted by Coffee, Hip-Hop & Mental Health, is focused on breaking stigma surrounding psychological well-being in urban communities. Through art, culture, & dialogue, the organization promotes more inclusive & neuro-affirming approaches to mental health care. Proceeds from the gala support initiatives like CHHAMH University, which works to educate future clinicians & advocates in culturally grounded, compassionate mental health support.

• The Dinner & Dialogue Series at Batter & Berries South Loop creates a smaller, structured community environment where attendees can openly discuss sensory processing, executive functioning, burnout, nervous system regulation, & self-care. These kinds of low-pressure, predictable social spaces can be especially supportive for autistic & neurodivergent adults navigating overstimulation & social fatigue.

Events like these matter, because neurodivergent people are too often misunderstood in conversations about mental health. Research increasingly shows that chronic masking, sensory stress, exclusion, & inaccessible environments can contribute to anxiety, depression, & burnout among autistic individuals. Community spaces that prioritize empathy, accessibility, & authentic self-expression help move us closer toward true inclusion.

At HAAPE, we believe that mental wellness & neurodiversity advocacy must go hand in hand. Building compassionate communities means creating environments where autistic & neurodivergent people are supported—not pressured to hide who they are.

05/14/2026

🌍 Diversity Drives Innovation—& Inclusion Builds Stronger Communities. 🌍

The Florida National Diversity Chamber of Commerce (FLNDCC) is helping businesses, professionals, & community leaders grow through the power of diversity, equity, inclusion, & collaboration.

Their mission is simple but powerful:
◦ Build bridges
◦ Expand opportunity
◦ Strengthen inclusive economic growth

Through networking, training, leadership development, & strategic partnerships, the FLNDCC connects entrepreneurs, corporations, & advocates who believe that diverse perspectives make communities & workplaces stronger.

Why organizations like FLNDCC matter for neurodivergent inclusion:
Research consistently shows that inclusive workplaces foster greater innovation, creativity, & problem-solving. Yet many autistic & neurodivergent professionals still face barriers to employment, advancement, & belonging.

That’s why partnerships between diversity-focused organizations & neurodiversity advocates are so important.

○ Inclusive hiring creates opportunity
○ Accessible workplaces support retention
○ Diverse leadership strengthens communities
○ Neurodivergent talent fuels innovation

The Chamber’s commitment to professional development, shared growth, & equitable access aligns closely with HAAPE’s mission of empowering autistic & neurodivergent individuals economically, socially, & occupationally.

Together, we can help create workplaces where people are valued for their strengths—not excluded because they think differently.

• Learn more about the Chamber
• Build inclusive partnerships
• Advocate for neurodiverse hiring
• Support organizations advancing equity & opportunity

Because diversity is not just representation—it is creating spaces where everyone can thrive.

Visit: https://flndcc.org

05/07/2026

♾️ “Nothing About Us Without Us” Is More Than A Slogan—It’s A Civil Rights Movement ♾️

For decades, disabled & neurodivergent people were too often excluded from decisions about their own lives, supports, education, healthcare, & futures.

The disability rights movement answered with a powerful message: “Nothing About Us Without Us.”

Popularized globally through disability activist James Charlton & rooted in earlier disability advocacy movements, this principle demands that disabled people—including autistic & neurodivergent individuals—must have a direct voice in the policies, research, services, & systems that affect them.

In the autism & neurodiversity communities, this movement helped spark a major shift:
• From awareness to acceptance
• From speaking for autistic people to listening to autistic people
• From compliance-based models to person-centered supports

Organizations like Autistic Self Advocacy Network continue championing this principle by ensuring autistic people help lead conversations about accessibility, education, employment, healthcare, housing, & disability rights.

What does “Nothing About Us Without Us” look like in practice?
◦ Including autistic voices in research & policymaking
◦ Respecting communication differences, including AAC users
◦ Building neurodiversity-affirming supports
◦ Prioritizing autonomy, dignity, & consent
◦ Creating workplaces & communities where neurodivergent people belong

The movement also aligns closely with the rainbow infinity symbol ♾️—representing the infinite diversity of human minds & experiences.

At HAAPE, we believe inclusion is strongest when autistic & neurodivergent people are not just present—but heard, respected, & empowered as leaders.

○ Listen to lived experiences
○ Amplify autistic voices
○ Support neurodiversity-affirming organizations
○ Build systems with—not for—the community

Because real inclusion starts with shared decision-making.

05/05/2026

♾️ Support Matters Most When It Is Affirming, Informed, & Built For Real Life ♾️

Across the country, several national leaders are helping autistic & neurodivergent people access services that prioritize dignity, development, & lifelong belonging.

Here are 3 organizations helping lead that work:
The Interdisciplinary Council on Development & Learning (ICDL):
Home of DIRFloortime®, ICDL advances a relationship-based developmental model created by Dr. Stanley Greenspan. Their DIR® approach centers emotional connection, sensory differences, & child-led learning—not compliance. ICDL helps families & professionals build communication, regulation, & trust through connection-1st support.

The Therapist Neurodiversity Collective (TNDC):
This autistic-led network of licensed clinicians is helping redefine ethical therapy. TNDC promotes neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed care rooted in bodily autonomy, consent, & presuming competence. Their work rejects harmful “normalizing” approaches & supports affirming care, AAC access, & therapist accountability.

The Association for Autism & Neurodiversity (AANE):
AANE is a national leader in lifespan support for autistic & similarly neurodivergent people. From coaching & support groups to employer education & family services, AANE helps people build meaningful, connected lives through community, validation, & strengths-based support.

What do these leaders share?
• Neurodiversity-affirming care
• Strengths-based support
• Community connection
• Lifespan services
• Respect for autonomy & lived experience

At HAAPE, we know autistic & neurodivergent people thrive when support is built around dignity—not deficit.

That means moving beyond “fixing” & toward understanding, access, & belonging.

◦ Learn from affirming leaders
◦ Share trusted resources
◦ Support neurodivergent-led services
◦ Help build communities where every mind belongs

HAAPE

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