Get to know our social self-advocates

In celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Autism Speaks is proud to shine a spotlight on four talented autistic professionals who bring our social media channels to life each day. 

Behind every post, story and campaign are voices filled with creativity, authenticity and lived experience. These team members infuse our content with heart and purpose, helping us amplify autistic perspectives and spark conversations that drive understanding and help the autistic community continue to redefine what’s possible. 

Self-advocates on the Autism Speaks social team

We’re excited to feature Eileen, Cassie, Kadin, and Tony — four creative minds who embody what inclusion in the workplace can achieve. Through their work, they show that when autistic voices lead, meaningful change follows.  

Eileen Lamb – Senior Director, Marketing and Social Media  

Eileen oversees Autism Speaks’ social and marketing teams, leading strategy and storytelling across platforms that reach millions worldwide. As a mom diagnosed with autism as an adult, raising two autistic children with vastly different support needs, she’s passionate about authentic representation and creating content that reflects the full spectrum of experiences within the autism community.  

She believes inclusion is most powerful when it’s led by people with lived experience, those who understand what the stories really mean. “As someone who’s both autistic and a parent to a child with profound autism,” she says, “I’ve learned that inclusion starts with remembering everyone on the spectrum, even those whose voices are different from our own.” 

Cassie Hauschildt – Social Media Manager 

Cassie keeps her finger on the pulse of our online community every day, reading every comment and message that comes through our social channels. As an autistic adult and mom to two autistic children on various ends of the spectrum, she brings both professional skill and personal insight to her role.

Her advice to others seeking meaningful work: “The more you know yourself, the more you can advocate for yourself.”  

Cassie encourages job seekers to use their experiences to strengthen self-awareness and confidence. She also reminds employers, “don’t let tradition get in the way of progress.” For her, inclusion means flexibility, whether that’s allowing fidgets in meetings or rethinking old norms. 

Kadin McElwain – Social Media and Storytelling Intern 

Kadin is a senior Communications major at Kent State University and currently serves as a social media and storytelling Intern. Diagnosed with autism at two years old, Kadin is passionate about using his voice and creativity to promote autism awareness through the power of storytelling.  

He takes great pride in giving others on the spectrum a platform to share their experiences—most recently through his writing for web and social content, candid interviews on YouTube and a guest takeover of Just Another Autism Podcast. 

For Kadin, the most rewarding part of his role is contributing to an important cause that helps others understand and celebrate neurodiversity. He believes networking is key to building a meaningful career and encourages employers to focus on the unique talents autistic individuals bring to the workplace rather than focusing on the disability.  

“Plenty of individuals with disabilities have had a hard time getting a job. I’d hope that employers look more at what we can bring to the workplace rather than seeing us as having a disability. If this month teaches us anything, I hope it shows that we as autistic people have a lot to offer the workplace.”  

Tony Hernandez – Autism Response Team Communications Specialist 

Tony Hernandez is a proud autistic self-advocate and member of the Hispanic autism community, dedicated to empowering others through his work as an Autism Response Team Communications Specialist.  

In his role, Tony connects directly with individuals and families, providing vital resources and amplifying stories that raise awareness and understanding across the globe. “The work I do impacts the lives of countless of people with autism,” Tony shares. “Being able to connect directly with the community and share our resources is invaluable.”  

He takes immense pride in being part of an organization that shares his mission of advocacy and inclusion—especially when he hears testimonials from families about how Autism Speaks has made a positive difference in their lives. Tony encourages other autistic adults to seek not just a job, but “a place where you can grow and build a successful career,” and calls on employers to recognize the talents and potential autistic individuals bring to the workplace. Guided by his faith and determination, Tony strives daily to push limits live by the belief that “with faith, nothing is impossible.” 

Together, Eileen, Cassie, Kadin, and Tony remind us that inclusion isn’t a goal—it’s a daily practice. Through their voices, Autism Speaks continues to Redefine Possible.