Neurodiversity Summit: Wired for Success Award Winners Announced

Gabriella Barrientos, PhD(c), MAE, BCBA, CDE®, LBA, IBA, CSSC, Owner and Executive Director of Twice Affirming Behavioral Services and Co-Owner of Twice Consulting Services

Gabriella Barrientos is a neurodiversity advocate working in applied behavior analysis (ABA) for 16 years. She has contributed to the creation of 10 continuing education units designed to increase DEI in practitioner scope, has led over 30 live trainings, spoken at conferences, presented over 100 caregiver trainings, and provided direct supervision and mentorship to countless practitioners.

Barrientos is embarking on groundbreaking research to support and affirm transgender and autistic youth. Her research is intentionally dedicated to the neurodivergent and autistic population, with specific consideration for transgender and autistic Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), who live at the intersection of compounded oppression. Her research creates tool kits and practice guidelines that can be replicated across caregivers, schools, universities, medical facilities, and service organizations.

Simon Hewitson, Employment and Skills Manager at the Leeds City Council in Leeds, England

Simon Hewitson's work is being recognized for its groundbreaking and innovative approach to supporting young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) as they transition into adulthood. His signature event, SEND Next Choices, is the first of its kind in Leeds and the city region. It allows young people with SEND and their families to discover support, education, and employment opportunities. The event has been a huge success, with over 2,000 attendees in its first two years.

Hewitson also increased the number of supported internships in Leeds. Supported internships are a type of work experience that provides SEND young adults with the support they need to succeed in the workplace. His work has led to the creation of new supported internship placements in Leeds, and he continues to encourage participation by more employers.

In addition, Hewitson improved the Leeds Local Offer website, a one-stop shop for information on SEND services and support in Leeds. He ensures the employment section of the website is up-to-date, easily accessible, and informative.

Neurodiversity in the Workplace (NITW), a groundbreaking organization led by Joseph Riddle

Neurodiversity in the Workplace (NITW) is a groundbreaking organization that is changing the way neurodivergent people are perceived and employed. One of the key features of NITW is its alternative interview process, which addresses the major barrier that traditional interview processes are for neurodivergent people. With their process, companies conduct hiring based on NITW’s skill-centric model. A one-hour behavioral interview is transformed into a two- or three-day interview, where the jobseeker can directly demonstrate skills related to the position using a technical, hands-on project.

After the jobseeker is hired, both the jobseeker (now-employee) and the partnering company are eligible for a year of consulting services with NITW. New-hire consulting ensures they can adjust to the working environment while employer consulting helps build a more inclusive environment – not just for the manager of the new employee, but for the entire team. NITW consulting teaches managers how to onboard employees and direct teams while taking into consideration individual employee’s cognitive styles and modes of working.

NITW's model is predicated on the total integration of new, neurodivergent hires into diverse teams at partnering companies. An alternative model for neurodiversity programs has historically been to direct new neurodivergent employees all to the same team within a company. However, NITW believes that it is important for neurodivergent employees to be placed on teams with people with and without disabilities. This creates diverse, inclusive workplaces and helps break down the stigma and bias that may surround neurodivergence.