Specialisterne Canada

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Specialisterne Canada

Supporting employers to tap into talents of a neurodiverse workforce & build inclusive organizations.

Specialisterne Canada specializes in helping people on the autism spectrum secure meaningful employment. Specialisterne is an internationally recognized leader in harnessing the talents of people on the autism spectrum by providing them with the opportunity to sustain meaningful employment. Originally founded in Denmark by Thorkil Sonne, Specialisterne now operates in fifteen countries around the

world. Canada is the newest addition to this growing global organization. People affected by autism are an underestimated, underutilized resource in Canada; rich in individuals with tremendous skills in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and more. Yet far too many are underemployed which can lead to disengagement and be costly for families and social services. For close to a decade, Specialisterne has been developing proven and emerging hiring and management practices that enable the employment of people on the spectrum by removing the barriers to previously inaccessible industries and careers. Our objective is to enable 25 thousand jobs for people with autism in Canada, contributing to a global objective of one million jobs. We believe there is a readiness for progressive change amongst businesses in Canada and a clear movement toward strong corporate social responsibility. Our model also includes a not for profit organization focused on supporting employment and education processes. By operating with transparency about whom we hire and why we hire them, Specialisterne will be a leader with a strong voice in the emerging social impact space in Canadian business.

06/17/2025

We are thrilled to be included in Forbes first-ever list, which recognizes Specialisterne as one of the world’s leading innovators and impact-makers in accessibility.

The Accessibility 100 list highlights organizations across 15 countries working on key areas such as mobility, sensory accessibility, and neurodivergence. It is in this last category that Forbes recognized Specialisterne for its work in creating real access to education and meaningful employment for neurodivergent individuals.

Today, an estimated 80% of autistic individuals are unemployed, and up to 40% of neurodivergent adults face barriers to entering the workforce. Yet 15–20% of the world’s population is probably neurodivergent: investing in accessibility is not only an ethical imperative, it’s a strategic advantage for forward-thinking organizations.

With over 20 years of experience, operations in 26 countries, and partnerships with more than 500 public and private sector companies, Specialisterne continues to shape a more inclusive labor market by focusing on individual strengths, not labels.

Discover how we’re making accessibility a driver for innovation – click here to learn more! https://info.specialisterne.com/en-ca/forbes-accessibility-100

01/28/2025

A friendly reminder to join Specialisterne for a webinar to help you prepare for job interviews in 2025! 👏

Attendees will receive tips for answering common interview questions, guidance on how to showcase your qualifications, and best practices for following up after the interview.

• Date: Thursday, January 30th
• Time: 2pm-3pm ET

Reserve your spot below! ⬇️
https://specialisterne.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_gn__tkqwTy2I01tpgU_pqw

01/21/2025

Are you looking to build skills to feel confident for your next job interview? 💼✨

Join Specialisterne for a webinar to help you prepare for job interviews in 2025!

Attendees will receive tips and guidance for answering common interview questions, following up after the interview, and more.

Date: Thursday, January 30th
Time: 2pm-3pm ET

Reserve your spot below!
https://specialisterne.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_gn__tkqwTy2I01tpgU_pqw

12/19/2024

🌟 Happy Holidays and a Joyful New Year from Specialisterne! ✨

As the year comes to a close, we’re reflecting on the incredible milestones we’ve achieved together in building a more inclusive labor market for neurodivergent talent.

🌍 This year, we’ve made strides in creating workplaces that celebrate diversity, embrace unique skills, and value every perspective.

To our partners, supporters, and incredible community:
💙 Thank you for championing inclusion.
💙 Thank you for fostering environments where neurodivergent individuals can thrive.
💙 Thank you for believing in the power of differences to drive innovation and change.

Let’s continue to work together in 2025 to create a world where everyone has the opportunity to shine.

Wishing you peace, joy, and prosperity in the New Year! 🕊️

12/10/2024

For most people, December is associated with family traditions, holiday parties, and coziness. But for many neurodivergent individuals, the holiday season is often quite stressful.

But why? December is often full of social events and disruptions to routine – and that is a huge drain on energy for a lot of neurodivergent people.

What would make the holiday season a good experience for you?

Here are a few ways that you, as a neurodivergent individual, can make the holiday season more enjoyable and less stressful.

https://ca.specialisterne.com/a-stress-free-holiday-time-yes-please/

11/20/2024

Stepping into kindness with our teams' fun mismatched socks!

Today, we celebrate Odd Socks Day, a time to celebrate our individuality and embrace acceptance. It’s awesome to stand out, just like our colorful socks!

Whether you rock bright colors, funky patterns, or just a good ol’ pair of odd socks, share a pic and show the world how you express your individuality! Let’s spread the love and encourage everyone to be their authentic selves.

11/06/2024

Imagine living in a world where being different is forbidden. How dull would that be? We would all wear the same clothes, speak in the same way, and hide our individuality to avoid standing out. There would be no progress, no innovative ideas, and no spontaneous joy in genuine excitement. Individuality, which makes us unique, would have no place in society.

At Specialisterne, we celebrate the beauty of (neuro)diversity and the importance of building our identities without judgment or barriers. We embrace an inclusive and neuroaffirmative philosophy. This November, we’re doing something special: we’ll be celebrating “Odd Socks” Month! This celebration originated as a way to combat bullying, but it also serves as a metaphor for embracing our differences, celebrating our uniqueness, and expressing individuality in a simple and fun way.

09/19/2024

Unlocking Joy and Creativity for Neurodivergent Employees: fewer Triggers, more Glimmers!

Both in-person and virtual strategies for creating glimmers revolve around inclusive, no-pressure design, fostering genuine social connections, and encouraging practices that bring moments of calm and joy. Organizations can facilitate these positive effects by not only removing stressors but by celebrating glimmers in the work environment. Both the individual and the organization will benefit.

Learn about strategies you could use to flexibly implement opportunities to experience glimmers, both in physical settings and online in our latest blog written by Ludmila Praslova: https://ca.specialisterne.com/unlocking-joy-and-creativity-for-neurodivergent-employees-fewer-triggers-more-glimmers/

09/17/2024

is here!

Specialisterne's Recommended Learning channel in includes the Project Management Fundamentals learning plan 💼

This course introduces you to the basic principles of and what it takes to be a successful project manager, including:

• Project management terms and approaches (Waterfall, Agile, and Hybrid)
• Project management phases (Initiate and Plan, Execute, and Close)
• The overall job market and common industry certifications to consider in the project management field and more!

Join our Talent Pool to get access to Specialisterne's Recommended Learning plans and more in IBM SkillsBuild today: https://ca.specialisterne.com/ibm-skillsbuild/

09/12/2024

While many companies consider return-to-office mandates, Jaime Heidel reminds us of the value of remote work for neurodivergent employees.

Read more about it in our latest blog post, “12 Ways Remote Work Provides Accessibility to Your Neurodivergent Employees (While Also Increasing Productivity)”, written by Jaime A. Heidel: https://ca.specialisterne.com/12-ways-remote-work-provides-accessibility-to-your-neurodivergent-employees-while-also-increasing-productivity/

09/03/2024

It's ! 🎉

Talent Pool members receive exclusive access to Specialisterne's Recommended Learning in IBM SkillsBuild, which are customized training opportunities curated by our team.

The learning plan is designed for learners interested in learning about working in Cybersecurity and gaining an industry-recognized certification! This plan includes:
• Cybersecurity Fundamentals (badge)
• The first 3 courses in the Fortinet Network Security Expert (NSE) Program

Join our Talent Pool to get access to Specialisterne's Recommended Learning plans and more in IBM SkillsBuild today: https://ca.specialisterne.com/ibm-skillsbuild/

08/29/2024

“When I was still floundering around in the workforce as a young, undiagnosed neurodivergent person, I naively believed that when I got a job, I would be trained in everything–and I mean everything including, technical skills, soft skills, professional social conduct expectations, time-management, career-management, etc.”

Check out our latest blog post where Jaime A. Heidel shares her early career experiences, explores the benefits of career readiness training, and highlights an important note about the purpose of this type of training.

Read more about this in our blog post, “How Career Readiness Training Prepares and Empowers Autistic Job-Seekers”, written by Jaime A. Heidel: https://ca.specialisterne.com/how-career-readiness-training-prepares-and-empowers-autistic-job-seekers/

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Toronto, ON
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https://ca.specialisterne.com/

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About Us

Specialisterne Canada helps businesses and employers understand, value, and integrate the unique perspective and capabilities of people on the autism spectrum, or those who face similar barriers to employment. Specialisterne is an internationally recognized leader in harnessing the talents of people on the autism spectrum by providing them with the opportunity to sustain meaningful employment. Originally founded in Denmark by Thorkil Sonne, Specialisterne now operates in fourteen countries around the world. Canada is the newest addition to this growing global organization. People affected by autism are an underestimated, underutilized resource in Canada; rich in individuals with tremendous skills in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, the arts and more. Yet far too many are underemployed which can lead to disengagement and be costly for families and social services. For close to a decade, Specialisterne has been developing proven and emerging hiring and management practices that enable the employment of people on the spectrum by removing the barriers to previously inaccessible industries and careers. Our objective is to enable 25 thousand jobs for people with autism in Canada, contributing to a global objective of one million jobs. We believe there is a readiness for progressive change amongst businesses in Canada and a clear movement toward strong corporate social responsibility. By operating with transparency about whom we hire and why we hire them, Specialisterne will be a leader with a strong voice in the emerging social impact space in Canadian business.