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The Autism Initiative at 91º£½ÇÂÒÂ× (AIM) is taking its program to the next level, bolstering its commitment to helping neurodiverse students successfully navigate the college experience and address the high unemployment rate of people with disabilities.

In support of the expanded effort, coined AIM 2.0, the university has received a $250,000 allocation of federal funds through the Department of Education and office of U.S. Sen. Bob Casey.  

AIM is the mainstay of the Brad McGarry Center for Neurodiversity, the latter founded in 2022 as a vehicle by which the university develops new and expanded programming for the neurodiverse, largely those students on the autism spectrum. Defined, neurodiversity is characterized by autistic or other neurologically atypical patterns of thought and behavior. Besides autism, it may include ADHD, ADD, dyslexia, and other diagnoses.  

The purpose of AIM 2.0 is to both grow its success and widen its reach, explained Ryan Palm, executive director of the McGarry Center. He said its primary objectives include:

Expand AIM enrollment for low- and moderate-income students, focusing on northwest Pennsylvania. AIM presently enrolls 70 students and aspires to increase that to 75-85.

Continue development of an innovative AIM internship and employment program, partnering with area businesses that seek to hire a neurodiverse workforce. Already, AIM’s career path program has partnered with some of the world’s top companies that offer autism support, including Ernst & Young, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Pfizer, Erie Insurance, and Wells Fargo.

Make summer internships and travel accessible to all AIM students.

Expand the program’s independent living skills content for AIM students and their families.

Another area where AIM seeks to do more is with its career path initiative. Sixty percent of AIM graduates have found productive employment compared to 25 percent nationwide, said Palm in citing the U.S. Dept. of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment 91º£½ÇÂÒÂ×.

Part of AIM’s objective is not only to optimize student training in soft skills and other career-oriented preparation, particularly through internships and other employment opportunities but to work with employers to create awareness about the unique advantages of hiring neurodiverse employees. A portion of the grant will support vocational travel for students in preparation for success after college.

Palm said he will work collaboratively with AIM Director Laurie Baker and other staff members to strategize and execute plans during the coming year. For more information, contact Palm at 814-824-2630 or rpalm@mercyhurst.edu.Ìý