Supporting Autistic Adults and Shaping a Better Workforce
Fri Jan 30 2026
This is a conversation full of insight, encouragement, and a reminder that inclusion benefits us all.
On this episode of Tri State Time Machine, I’m thrilled to sit down with Dr. Rebecca Hansen, the founder of Reaching Spectrum Heights and a devoted advocate for autistic adults who are transitioning from college to the real world. Rebecca has spent nearly twenty years in Huntington, West Virginia, dedicating herself to making our community a better, more inclusive place for neurodivergent graduates and employees.
In our conversation, Rebecca opens up about her own journey—what originally brought her to the Tri State area, the twists and turns of her career path, and the inspiration behind starting her woman-led small business. Together, we dive into the real challenges that autistic adults and their families face, from the support gaps after high school and college graduation to the common workplace misunderstandings about neurodiversity.
Throughout the episode, Rebecca shares heartfelt stories of mentorship, meaningful friendships, and the realities of building a small business with big impact. You'll also hear thoughtful advice for employers and families, as well as a look at how we can each help foster a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Moments
00:00 "Supporting Neurodivergent Transitions"
07:40 "Flexible Coworking Space Options"
15:12 Bridging Education, Employment, and Inclusion
16:18 "Challenging Beliefs Through Experience"
26:26 "Generational Shifts in Acceptance"
30:16 Evolving Autism Diagnoses
33:04 "Flexibility is Everything"
40:50 "Turning Dreams into Reality"
48:05 "Reflections on Struggles and Growth"
52:51 "Advancing Accessibility in Higher Education"
55:17 "Rethinking Interview Processes for Inclusion"
01:03:25 "Living Nostalgia"
01:06:21 The Beauty of Autism Friendships
01:10:43 "Celebrating Neurodiversity Through Community"
If you have a memory you would want me to talk more about, just send me an email at TSTM@mail.com. Or post a comment on the Tri-State Machine FB Group page.
Welcome to the Tri-State Time Machine.
I'm your host Vanessa Hankins. This is a podcast where my guests and I share our memories and present day stories of the Tri-State Area. That's West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio.
Nothing too serious, no political views, and no ulterior motives.
We're just here to share our fun stories about this great area.
Whether you're a past resident or a current Tri-State resident, I think you're going to have fun with us.
So join in, press play on your podcast player, and welcome to the Tri-State Time Machine!
https://ts-time-machine.captivate.fm/episode/supporting-autistic-adults-and-shaping-a-better-workforce
Copyright 2026 Vanessa Hankins
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/
More
This is a conversation full of insight, encouragement, and a reminder that inclusion benefits us all. On this episode of Tri State Time Machine, I’m thrilled to sit down with Dr. Rebecca Hansen, the founder of Reaching Spectrum Heights and a devoted advocate for autistic adults who are transitioning from college to the real world. Rebecca has spent nearly twenty years in Huntington, West Virginia, dedicating herself to making our community a better, more inclusive place for neurodivergent graduates and employees. In our conversation, Rebecca opens up about her own journey—what originally brought her to the Tri State area, the twists and turns of her career path, and the inspiration behind starting her woman-led small business. Together, we dive into the real challenges that autistic adults and their families face, from the support gaps after high school and college graduation to the common workplace misunderstandings about neurodiversity. Throughout the episode, Rebecca shares heartfelt stories of mentorship, meaningful friendships, and the realities of building a small business with big impact. You'll also hear thoughtful advice for employers and families, as well as a look at how we can each help foster a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Moments 00:00 "Supporting Neurodivergent Transitions" 07:40 "Flexible Coworking Space Options" 15:12 Bridging Education, Employment, and Inclusion 16:18 "Challenging Beliefs Through Experience" 26:26 "Generational Shifts in Acceptance" 30:16 Evolving Autism Diagnoses 33:04 "Flexibility is Everything" 40:50 "Turning Dreams into Reality" 48:05 "Reflections on Struggles and Growth" 52:51 "Advancing Accessibility in Higher Education" 55:17 "Rethinking Interview Processes for Inclusion" 01:03:25 "Living Nostalgia" 01:06:21 The Beauty of Autism Friendships 01:10:43 "Celebrating Neurodiversity Through Community" If you have a memory you would want me to talk more about, just send me an email at TSTM@mail.com. Or post a comment on the Tri-State Machine FB Group page. Welcome to the Tri-State Time Machine. I'm your host Vanessa Hankins. This is a podcast where my guests and I share our memories and present day stories of the Tri-State Area. That's West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio. Nothing too serious, no political views, and no ulterior motives. We're just here to share our fun stories about this great area. Whether you're a past resident or a current Tri-State resident, I think you're going to have fun with us. So join in, press play on your podcast player, and welcome to the Tri-State Time Machine! https://ts-time-machine.captivate.fm/episode/supporting-autistic-adults-and-shaping-a-better-workforce Copyright 2026 Vanessa Hankins https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/