Autistic Parent Regains Her Confidence

Alicia was working at a bookstore when her job was eliminated due to the pandemic. In the 18 months that followed, she struggled to secure employment that could accommodate her specific schedule, which revolves around caring for her special needs son.

Finally, as a woman with autism, Alicia was referred to Goodwill’s Community Based Training (CBT) program by VR Nevada. At Goodwill, she participated in a 20-day retail assessment and quickly stood out for her strong motivation and collaborative attitude.

Excelling at every task she was assigned, Alicia earned frequent praise from her managers and was able to pass her assessment with ease. She is grateful to her trainers for their support, guidance, and empathy throughout the program. “My trainer was kind and did not push,” she said. “He let me learn at my own pace and gave suggestions on how to improve my performance without making me feel like a five-year-old.”

After completing CBT, Alicia was highly recommended for job placement. She already feels more confident knowing she has what it takes to maintain a job and looks forward to working in retail again soon.

Goodwill prepared Alicia for a return to retail.

Learn how Goodwill’s Disability Programs work for Southern Nevada.