Inspiring Change: How My Autistic Sister Led Me to Empower 200+ Individuals | MAD Talk

Personal connections and inclusive employment practices can empower and enable individuals with autism to contribute to society and achieve their dreams.  This video showcases how a young girl, aged 11, managed to start her own business and help autistic kids in Malaysia.

Key insights

• 🧩 Serena's motivation to employ over 200 autistic individuals at her organization stems from a personal connection – her younger sister with a disability. This underlines the profound impact of such connections in driving positive change.
• 🌟 In Serena's words, "I found a way, and that's how it started." Serena's Secret is dedicated to enabling and empowering autistic individuals, actively contributing to their dreams, goals, and KPIs.
• 👩‍💻 Two remarkable kids, Serena and Chloe, both Microsoft ambassadors, taught former Prime Minister Tun Mahathir, aged 94, how to code. Their initiative showcases the power of youth in bridging generational gaps.
• 🌱 Developing sustainable products for autistic adolescents not only equips them with essential skills but also opens doors to future employment opportunities, potentially in major enterprises like Domino's.
• 🤝 Microsoft's commitment to hiring individuals with autism and their collaboration with Serena exemplify inclusive employment practices, setting a commendable standard.
• 🌟 Recognizing the importance of inclusivity and support for individuals with autism in public spaces, such as malls, is gaining increased acknowledgment and value. This reflects a positive shift towards a more inclusive and understanding society.

Time Stamp of this Video:

• 00:00 Serena's younger sister inspired her to become the youngest employer in the country, employing over 200 autistic individuals.
• 01:18 My autistic sister inspired me to create opportunities for people with disabilities in employment.
• 02:02 Serena's Secret has helped over 30 to 50 autistic children with oral therapy and different courses, with a goal of reaching 100.
• 02:49 Serena taught the Prime Minister to code, fulfilling her dream of showing that technology is for everyone.
• 03:49 Creating a social enterprise with sustainable products to help autistic adolescents gain skills and employment opportunities.
• 04:53 Serena, an autistic individual, inspired her sister to create a partnership with Microsoft to promote inclusivity and raise funds through teaching team building and selling bracelets.
• 06:11 Serena loves her nurturing school, where her teachers and mom supported her business idea, and thanks to Microsoft and Dr. Jasmine, she now has an outlet in Petaling Jaya.
• 07:08 Serena set up an autistic-friendly booth in a mall to raise funds for therapy for younger children with autism and to provide older autistic adults with selling experience.

Join us in supporting and celebrating the achievements of autistic individuals. Keep reading Leaderonomics.com for more inspiring stories and insights.  If you would like to support Leaderonomics.com and various other MAD Movement causes, you can donate here