TACT (Teaching the Autism Community Trades) is a Denver-based nonprofit organization founded to encourage and empower the full spectrum of individuals with autism through skilled trades education and employment. Addressing the needs of the ASD community which experiences a 90% unemployment rate, TACT offers a strengths-based program developed specifically to provide training and create meaningful employment opportunities that are personally fulfilling to each individual student.  For the autism community, TACT creates a future full of purpose and promise.

TACT envisions a world where neurodiversity is not only embraced but inherently valued and where the full spectrum of the autism community can contribute their talents and gifts to find personal fulfillment.  

• TACT creates an opportunity for individuals with ASD to gain independence, empowerment, and feel valued through education, training, and employment supports leading towards the goal of a fulfilling career. 

• TACT creates hope for the future for both individuals with ASD and their families by providing a space for neurodiverse individuals to gain independence, community, pride in their autism identity, and confidence in their special skill sets.

• TACT creates an engaging and social environment characterized by celebration and joy, allowing individuals to shine their light and feel comfortable and accepted for who they are.

TACT addresses economic and social stress points for ASD individuals and their families while also filling an important gap in the skilled trades industries.

• One in 36 children are diagnosed with ASD and in the next decade alone, nearly 500,000 children with ASD will age out of the special education system leaving parents and caregivers with few options for ongoing education or career tracks for their young adults. 

• More than half of youth with ASD do not have no a job or post-secondary education within two years after high school resulting in significantly higher rates of complete social isolation than people with other disabilities as well as burden for parents and caregivers.

• Individuals with ASD experience very low rates of employment; 83% of those with ASD and a college degree are unemployed and 90% of individuals with ASD experience unemployment or underemployment.

• The economic impact on families with an ASD child is great with the average family spending $100,000 per year, or $2.2 million in total, to support a child through young adulthood. Many families require government aid, funded by taxpayer dollars, to pay for the special programming their child requires. 

• There is a shortage of skilled trade workers in the United States and no strong pipeline for young adults to enter the workforce. By the end of 2025, 31 million trade positions will go unfilled due to baby boomers reaching retirement age. Individuals with ASD are well positioned to help fill this gap based on their unique strengths and propensity for skilled trade work.