First Ascent
Our mission is not just about a job,
or even a career
Our mission is transformation!
Let’s get your career journey under way!
We’ll be with you at each stage!
Professional/Parent Testimonial
While our family had already been proactive about career planning, First Ascent gave my son next-level clarity and confidence. He didn’t just select and plan for a career path, he began to own it as part of his identity.
What truly sets First Ascent apart is its unapologetically strengths-first approach. I’ve encountered many strengths-based models (some who merely claim it, but have nothing to back that up). This program redefines what it means to see and grow strength. It goes far beyond job readiness. It helps autistic individuals build lives rooted in their strengths and in their purpose; it's very simple, yet truly original.
Because of the transformation I witnessed in my own son, I now confidently refer my clients to First Ascent. It’s exactly what neurodiversity-affirming career development should be.”
New groups starting monthly!
First Ascent uniquely blends identity, experimentation, transformation, and tech-enabled personalization, environmental awareness, occupying a rare, higher ground in the ecosystem.
What Makes Us Different?
- Traditional employment programs tend to be linear, generic, and focused on short-term job outcomes.
- Peer coaches offer authenticity but lack structured systems and scalable models.
- Social enterprises provide jobs but rarely address transformation, self-concept, or tailored paths.
First Ascent uniquely blends identity, experimentation, transformation, and tech-enabled personalization, environmental awareness, occupying a rare, higher ground in the ecosystem.
The Importance of Getting Career Alignment Right!
A precisely calibrated career path is important for all individuals. It is paramount for those with autism, whose specific interests and strengths demand exactness. Misalignment risks costly setbacks and even failure in future career endeavors.
- Unemployment rate for people with high-functioning autism is over 80%
- 34% of autistic college students complete their degree within six years, compared to 60% of their neurotypical peers
- Changing majors in college can cost $18,000
- It can take as long as 20 years for reemployed workers to catch up on lost earnings
Here’s the Good News!
Who would benefit most from the First Ascent program?
- People with autism who are looking for a career, not job
- Young adults (17 – 27) who are moderately impacted by autism and who are looking for a career
- College students who are uncertain of their career direction
- Adults who have entered the workplace and encountered challenges and limited success
- Young adults in their senior year or recently graduated from high school and are looking for their next career step
First Ascent is a Parent (Coach)/Student Program
Please note, if you are an international person with autism, or parent of a child with autism, the First Ascent program is offered in English and sessions are conducted within U.S. time zones. We welcome you to participate, but please take into account English proficiency and time zone differences.