Facets - Winter 2025 - From Learning to Earning

facets Center for Autism Research at Kessler Foundation WINTER 2025

Stride into the spotlight In a recent TV appearance on WPIX11, neuroscientist Helen Genova, PhD, discussed how the Kessler Foundation’s strengths-based learning program, KF-Stride®, supports

From learning to earning

brighter futures for young

KF-Stride®—an award-winning educational program— prepares neurodiverse young adults for employment success, fosters inclusion, and builds community.

presented their research at

By empowering neurodiverse individuals to identify and express their strengths, KF-Stride (Kessler Foundation Strength, Identification, and Expression) is boosting self-confidence and helping prepare them for meaningful employment. The program was developed under the leadership of neuroscientist Helen Genova, PhD, associate director of the Center for Autism Research at Kessler Foundation.

Dr. Genova, inspired by personal experiences with autism in her family, recognized the unique challenges faced by young people transitioning from school to adulthood. She envisioned a resource that would help neurodiverse youth advocate for themselves, proudly and confidently. “Having seen firsthand the strengths and potential of neurodiverse individuals, I wanted to create a program that not only prepares them for employment Above, KF-Stride in class, but also empowers them to recognize part of WPIX-11’s profile and communicate their abilities.” of the program and its impact on interview skills for autistic youth—only 1 in 5 of whom are currently expected to find jobs.

She adds, “KF-Stride is about giving every young person the confidence to be their own best advocate.” >> continued inside

adults on the autism spectrum.

She and her team have also national conferences, shared results in peer-reviewed journals, and featured the program in community outreach initiatives. KF-Stride is in use across New Jersey, New York, and Louisiana.

Read the highlights in this issue of Facets, then visit kfstride.org or scan the code to learn more. ⊲

From learning to earning

“Our goal is to help neurodiverse individuals realize their differences are assets, not obstacles.”

Dr. Helen Genova

The overarching KF-Stride curriculum began with KF-Stride Into the Interview, a program designed to help young adults ages 16–24 on the autism spectrum identify their strengths and communicate them effectively to potential employers.

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A central feature of KF-Stride is “spotting strengths,” where learners recognize their abilities in real-world contexts. This approach enhances the relevance and retention of online lessons, helping students develop practical skills for job interviews and the workplace.

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Lessons can be accessed through Kessler Foundation, schools, or vocational rehabilitation agencies.

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KF-Stride is a web-based curriculum offering interactive lessons, actual employment scenarios, and animation to engage and motivate learners. A trained coach supports participants throughout the program.

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Interactivity that’s true to life

Character strengths—like Based on its success, Into the Interview has been expanded to kindness, courage, other neurodiverse populations. judgment, humor, In addition, a new program, and gratitude—are KF-Stride Into Work, was in universal. Research dness developed to help young shows we all possess adults maintain employment these and other traits and thrive in a professional environment. in different degrees.

Recognizing and Impact and expansion building on the Research shows that KF-Stride unique strengths enhances job interview skills, re self-confidence, and employof neurodiverse ativity ment. “KF-Stride is about individuals may help to: empowering every young →IMPROVE self-esteem, person to recognize their unique confidence, and independence strengths and confidently share them with employers. When →INCREASE motivation autistic youth see their abilities →FACILITATE learning in a new light, it transforms their →ENHANCE social skills approach to interviews and and behaviors work,” Dr. Genova notes. →OPEN new opportunities The program is now being By focusing on what an implemented in schools and vocational centers, enabling individual can do– educators to integrate commonly called a strengths-based learning into strengths-based their classrooms. “When we approach—and not stop focusing on deficits and ve what they struggle start focusing on strengths, ry with, parents, teachers, we see young adults begin to shine,” asserts Dr. Genova. and employers can empower “Our goal is to help neurodiverse autistic youth individuals realize their differto learn, grow, ences are assets, not obstacles, and realize and provide them with the tools their full and confidence needed for potential. success in the workplace and beyond.” n ho es

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Why target strengths?

Scan the code or visit KesslerFoundation.org/autism-research to view WPIX-11’s profile of KF-Stride, and to explore more interventions developed through our research.

brings learning to life By incorporating animation—with its vibrant visuals and engaging storytelling— into its instructional materials, KF-Stride connects with neurodiverse learners.

While people learn in different ways, research indicates that neurodiverse individuals may benefit more from animated materials than traditional lectures.

By combining movement, color, and sound, animation produces a more engaging platform for learning.

“In developing the KF-Stride program, we looked at the many instructional tools available to us and found that animation offered some powerful benefits,” says Katarina Reduzzi, research coordinator in the Center for Autism Research at Kessler Foundation.

A+ for animation Through colorful visuals, meaningful storylines, and relatable characters, animation helps make complex concepts easier to understand and remember. It allows neurodiverse individuals, many of whom are visual learners, to grasp concepts and ideas in a way that words alone cannot convey.

For example, the animation in the KF-Stride program helps breaks down familiar employment scenarios into manageable segments and permits learners to process information at their own speed.

This supports greater attention, motivation, and retention, and also helps reduce anxiety.

Finding strengths in storytelling Furthermore, animated content can help individuals explore their feelings and learn to manage their emotions in a safe space.

This, in turn, can lead to stronger social interactions at home, school, or in the workplace, allowing neurodiverse individuals to navigate real-life situations with greater ease and confidence.

Through KF-Stride’s interactive curriculum, neurodiverse learners are able to identify and build on their strengths, preparing them to enter the workplace with the skills to succeed.

KF-Stride in action Through community partnerships like Spectrum360®, a New Jersey nonprofit providing education and therapeutic programs, KF-Stride is helping students on the autism spectrum develop essential interview skills.

“My staff and I implemented the KF-Stride curriculum in our classroom,” says David Diianni, program director and educator at Spectrum360. “After completing the curriculum, every student reported feeling more confident about job interviews… and two were hired for part-time jobs at a local business. We found that KF-Stride works—it gives students the skills and confidence they need to be successful.”

Left, David Diianni, Spectrum360 program director, talks with Dr. Genova.

Above right, a Spectrum360 student practices interview skills.

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Partner with Are you passionate about supporting the neurodiverse community? Join us as a KF-Stride partner!

Educators, school administrators, vocational rehab specialists, and parents can access our engaging, researchbacked curriculum. With online training and animated lessons, KF-Stride is easy to implement and designed for real-world impact.

Contact us to discover more about partnership opportunities and contribute to creating a more inclusive workforce.

Together, we can shape a future built on strengths. ▼Email AutismResearch@ KesslerFoundation.org or scan the code to reach us today.

Research drives change Research shows KF-Stride strengthens job readiness­—impact that’s reaching national audiences, shaping classrooms, and inspiring a future where neurodiverse individuals thrive.

KF-Stride is grounded in the principles of positive psychology and has been validated through research at Kessler Foundation.

A study by Helen Genova, PhD, published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, demonstrated that students who completed KF-Stride Into the Interview showed significantly improved job interview skills and confidence compared to those who did not.

Dr. Genova and her team collaborate closely with the neurodiverse community— individuals on the autism spectrum, their families, teachers, and professionals—to continually refine the program. Their feedback ensures KF-Stride meets their needs and remains engaging, accessible, and effective. This ongoing dialogue allows the curriculum to evolve in response to realworld challenges and successes,

making each update more relevant and impactful.

The program’s reach extends far beyond the lab. Dr. Genova has presented KF-Stride findings at national conferences, where educators and clinicians are eager to adopt the curriculum. In her recent WPIX11 TV interview, “Helping Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum Build Brighter Futures,” she emphasized: “By flipping the usual script—focusing on what candidates can do, rather than what they struggle with—KF-Stride helps unlock doors that too often stay closed.”

This approach not only boosts self-esteem but also encourages employers to recognize and value neurodiverse talent.

With funding from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research, as well as private donors, Kessler Foundation is creating lasting change by equipping educators, employers, and individuals with tools to support meaningful employment for neurodiverse communities, paving the way for a more inclusive workforce nationwide.

Dr. Genova, center, with staff and attendees at a recent educational event.

Changing the lives of people with disabilities

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