The Vanderbilt University Frist Center for Autism and Innovation, in collaboration with AllianceBernstein and Vanderbilt’s Corporate Partnerships team, hosted an event at the firm’s New York City office on Thursday, April 17, to celebrate Autism Acceptance Month. The “From Autism Acceptance to Advantage: Learning from Autism to Create Innovative Workplaces and Teams” event showcased examples of cutting-edge technologies and management strategies to help organizations tap into unique pools of talent and become employers of choice.
AllianceBernstein Global Head of Investments Chris Hogbin kicked off the event. “In both my roles as global head of investments at AllianceBernstein and as a proud Vanderbilt parent, I am excited about our partnership with the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation,” he said. “Here at AB, we are committed to creating a world where all minds can thrive and strongly believe that neurodiversity drives higher performance. Together, we’re turning these values into action, with the help of leaders in the field like Dr. Keivan Stassun and Dr. Tim Vogus, by fostering inclusive workplaces and inspiring change.”
James Kellerhouse, assistant vice chancellor for strategic initiatives in New York City, followed Hogbin’s remarks with a welcome to attendees.
Vanderbilt professors Stassun and Vogus demonstrated tech tools and organizational practices that can unleash the creative talents of individuals and teams. Stassun, Stevenson Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Vanderbilt, also serves as the director of the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation, the founding co-director the Fisk-Vanderbilt Master’s-to-Ph.D. Bridge Program and holds a joint appointment with computer science in the School of Engineering. Vogus is deputy director of the Frist Center, the faculty director of the Leadership Development Program and the Brownlee O. Currey, Jr., Professor of Management within Owen Graduate School of Management.
They discussed the disproportionate barriers that autistic employees face in obtaining high-quality, sustainable employment and the “double empathy problem”— the ways in which autistic and neurotypical people often struggle to understand one another’s communication styles—that contributes to these challenges.
The presenters offered concrete steps organizations can take to bridge the double empathy problem, such as rethinking interviewing processes, onboarding practices, performance feedback and organizational culture. By creating conditions where mutual understanding can be repaired and valuing the unique perspectives neurodivergent individuals bring to the workplace, organizations can become more inclusive and innovative through radical collaboration.
The event concluded with a Q&A session and a thank you from Andrea M. DiMarco, regional director of corporate partnerships for Vanderbilt’s New York City Regional Hub.
Learn more about the Frist Center for Autism & Innovation.
