Navigating Adult Autism

11/03/2025

The November Autism Gossip has been published on our website. Dawn compiles resources and news from around the area, providing a convenient calendar of events for parents and individuals with ASD in SW Missouri.

View the calendar here:

If you have December events, please send them to Dawn at [email protected]
Subject line: December Autism Gossip

Curated by Dawn Rethman of the Navigating Adult Autism Podcast

11/01/2025

Would love someone to download and provide a review?

11/01/2025

Never heard of this legend prior to this post but this is a legendary move for sure—wonder if he’d send us an autograph?

His 20 year old son has severe autism. Even legends can become caregivers.

https://metro.co.uk/2025/10/30/manchester-united-legend-paul-scholes-quits-tv-punditry-work-care-non-verbal-autistic-son-24568336/amp/

11/01/2025

This may have already been posted here, BUT we would like to see autism parents attend and report back to the community. Such an important topic.

SPS University is an event for the entire Springfield community. Part resource fair, part conference, SPS U is designed to connect you with resources and information to help support your child.

10/31/2025

Day 31 Resource Fair

Private sector employment agencies should not be overlooked in the job search. They will not be able to supply a job coach. However, they often have a handle on the local job market and know who is hiring-- valuable information. Bring a polished resume to them and a willingness to discuss disclosure and accommodations and they could very well find a job that fits the individual well.

As the autism prevalence numbers grow so too does awareness. The odds of interviewing with someone who has a first degree relationship with autism is growing.

And so on this last day of October, the last day of NDEAM 2025, we would ask our followers to do the
following:
• Watch for job openings that you believe would be a good fit for those with developmental disabilities.
• Shop at Upside Down Mercantile,
• Drink coffee from Brew 21,
• Eat at The Hive of the Ozarks (Willard) or Plucky Café (Marshfield),
• Eat at those establishments that hire from the disability community,
• Write thank you letters to those establishments who hire from the disability community,
• Share with us and others how you celebrated NDEAM, and
• Keep the awareness alive past October 31st.

10/30/2025

Day 30 Resource Fair

The Missouri Job Center is a free government service. They host hiring and recruiting events. The Job Center maintains a list of open employment vacancies and one of the lists of “no experience necessary jobs.” The Center can also provide customized training assistance. Don’t overlook this service in your job hunt.
For more information visit their website: https://jobs.mo.gov/job-centers/springfield-job-center

10/30/2025

With only 47% of Gen Z youth saying that they had enough information to decide what postsecondary pathway was right for them, it’s clear…

10/29/2025

Day 29 Resource Fair

Christian County Enterprises has been employing individuals with disabilities in Christian and other counties for thirty years. CCE employs eleven staff members and 60 employees on a bid-per-job basis. CCE’s dedicated workforce performs tasks such as assembly, collation, inspection, labeling, packaging, or recycling. For some
individuals, supported employment laid the foundation needed to secure a competitive job that is better paying.

10/28/2025

Day 28 Resource Fair

Stepping Stones offers a variety of services, including employment services. Clients need to have a waiver with DMH in order to access their services. As listed on their website the five employment services they offer
are as follows:

• Benefits Planning: This service encourages individuals to work while maintaining their State and Federal benefits. The goal is for the individual to increase independence by working and be informed about their benefits. This service is performed by a Certified Benefits Specialist.

• Career Planning: This service supports individuals with career discovery, identifying areas of interest, and developing plans to achieve competitive, integrated employment or self-employment goals. This is a one-on-one service to discover an individual’s skills, abilities, interests, preferences, and needs.

• Pre-Vocational Services: This service provides one-on-one and group learning experiences to further develop an individual’s general, non-job task-specific skills. Pre-vocational services include volunteering to learn skills transferable to the workplace.

• Job Development: This service provides one-on-one support to assist individuals with obtaining competitive or customized employment in an integrated setting (at or above minimum wage).

• Supported Employment: This service provides one-on-one and group support to maintain employment.

Their website is informative. https://steppingstones.agency/services/

10/27/2025

We have a new episode out today!

In this episode, the moms welcome Eli Winfrey! Eli is an author, veteran, autism advocate, podcast host, and founder of Team Winfrey, an organization focused on making a positive impact on others. Eli shares with us the experiences that shaped his purpose and drive to help the autism community and many others. Join us for this meaningful discussion with Eli. His life experiences are unique and purposeful, and we are so thankful he took the time to talk with us. We are deeply grateful for your support and can't wait to share this inspiring episode with you! Thank you for listening in and connecting with us!

To learn more about Eli Winfrey and his work, go to:
https://www.teamwinfrey.org/

If you like our podcast, please share, review, and subscribe!
You can find us at:
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Navigatingadultautism.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
On Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube- Navigating Adult Autism Podcast

You can also find Heather Woodring write about her son Zachary at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Everyday Adventures with Zachary on Facebook

Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/navigating-adult-autism/id1707799528

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/43VNbJfLCHwXod0rsfVqFW?si=3e0a15568d3a4344

Listen on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/

Thanks for listening and being so supportive!
Sincerely - Mary, Elizabeth, Cynthia, Heather, Dawn, and Tara

10/27/2025

Day 27 Resource Fair

NOVA Center of the Ozarks was founded at the kitchen table of autism mom, Connie Cline, and offers a number of services to children and adults.

NOVA’s funding primarily comes from waivered services through the Department of Mental Health. Their services include career planning, pre-vocational services, job development, and supported employment. “Each area is based on an individualized approach involving a collaborative process in a team environment. With each service our job is to assist each individual in achieving their employment
goals by exploring different workplaces to find the best fit, building workplace skills, and maintaining integrated employment.”

NOVA Center of the Ozarks, https://www.novacenteroftheozarks.org/employment-services