JSA’s STEP students recently had the opportunity to partner with the office of Dr. Ross Fishman Fishman Pediatric Dentistry by assembling dental hygiene sample kits for use in the office and during school outreach presentations. This type of repetitive, detail-oriented task is a perfect fit for many of our students, who excel when given structured, purposeful work that allows them to build confidence, independence, and valuable vocational skills.

This is truly Autism in Action—and a wonderful example of our Jacksonville community investing in the abilities of individuals with autism. Partnerships like this allow businesses to look beyond a diagnosis and recognize the incredible skills, focus, reliability, and potential our students bring to the workplace. We are so grateful to Dr. Fishman and his team for providing a meaningful opportunity for our students to contribute, gain real-world experience, and show our community just how much they are capable of achieving!