The Employables (2019 - 2019)

Aerial, 27, has Tourette Syndrome. Among a range of involuntary vocal outbursts and physical movements, Aerial also experiences a symptom called Echolalia which means she frequently copies any sound or expression she hears around her. Hayden, 23, was diagnosed with autism at age twelve. Hayden’s dream is to find a job that highlights his strengths.

Matt, 27, has a severe form of Tourette Syndrome that causes sudden violent body movements (tics), spitting and vocal outbursts, often triggered by being in cars or tight spaces. Nathan, 31, has high-functioning autism, also known as Asperger’s Syndrome, which makes it difficult for him to navigate social interactions; he also has an extraordinary obsession with roads and maps.

Angela, 31, has Tourette Syndrome and near-constant high energy tics that often include swearing. She lost her last job at a hair salon over ten years ago and has not been able to reenter the job market, but is hopeful to find work soon to support her seven year-old son, Jesse. Michael, 23, is autistic and often finds it nearly impossible to communicate his thoughts verbally. He has never had a full-time job.

Erik, 29, has high-functioning autism which can sometimes mean he has trouble communicating his thoughts. Jaleesa, 20, has Tourette Syndrome which causes a variety of involuntary tics such as ‘I’m a bagel’ or ‘I’m a bear’.

Fisher, 43, has Tourette Syndrome which means he experiences involuntary physical and vocal outbursts such as ‘razzle dazzle’, ‘dynamite’ and ‘bop bop bop’ — to name but a few. Jen, 42, has autism. She’s lived most of her life in various facilities and institutions but is now ready to re-claim her independence by finding a job.

Brenda, 44, has high-functioning autism. Her biggest obstacle to finding work has been a crippling fear of social situations. Ben, 27, has Tourette Syndrome, that causes violent body tics and some unexpected verbal outbursts, like “bats” and “tomato.”