Spreading Awareness about Autism in the workplace
My name is Jerry Holy. I work as a Specialist in Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools in Washington, DC. I’m also a Special Olympics Virginia, Global Messenger and 2016 SOVA Athlete of the Year. I can’t forget being a proud George Mason University Alumni, Class of 2010.
I have Asperger’s Syndrome, a high functioning form of Autism. Asperger’s Syndrome mostly impacts my social skills abilities such as making eye contact with people and understanding social cues like facial expressions. Another thing that my Asperger’s Syndrome impacts is I’m a creature of having a set daily routine everyday. I seldom like changing up my routine even at work but I have learned to adapt to those situations. My best friend and training partner, Victoria “Tori” Martin has also taught me to push myself to change things up and think differently beyond my point of view on things. I do the same for her as well. I’m a strong advocate for my peers because I chose to speak up and express the issues at hand. Being silent in not the answer to resolve the matter. We must speak up in order to be heard and make a difference for everyone.
My role with Unified Champion Schools is mostly working with the school data we received from 49 US Special Olympics State Programs thru monthly reports and their final reports. I also do various other functions within the department such as being in charge of office visits, new staff orientation for UCS staff and support staff and handling resource management. Two of my big pieces I contribute to UCS is my skill with data visualization. I have developed Microsoft Power Bi dashboards with school data and used various mapping apps to develop heat maps for National, State Level and the National Banner Recognition Schools. Another skill I always contribute to UCS is my athlete perspective on various matters. I’m also an includer based off my Gallup Strengths Finder so I never like leaving people out of things. All my skills have benefited both the greater UCS team and the Special Olympics movement because while we often try to explain data and things in words, it is easier to visualize the data in various forms. Also, understanding the athletes’ needs is always must and we need to have a seat at the table. One day, I hope to make a big impact in the movement by becoming the first Special Olympics athlete to be a Program CEO.
While the world celebrates World Autism Awareness Day today, I celebrate the whole month of April as Autism Awareness Month. I’m always spreading awareness about the Autism Spectrum as the diagnosis rate keeps climbing. Everyone on the Spectrum has a voice and we must be heard as we are no different like everyone. We all have different abilities and we embrace those different abilities as gifts to the world.
