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Career Labs: A Physicist's Path to Autism Advocacy and Employment with Dave Caudel

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Career Labs,  Dr. Dave Caudel, Associate Director at the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation, shares his unconventional journey from a late-blooming college student and aspiring physicist to a leading voice in autism advocacy and research. What unfolds is not only a story of curiosity and resilience, but a clarion call for more inclusive practices in education, parenting, and employment.


Dr. Caudel’s life took a major turn when he discovered his own autism diagnosis during his physics studies—a revelation that would eventually lead him to a career devoted to changing how society supports neurodivergent individuals in their professional paths. His insights are both sobering and inspiring, and offer valuable lessons for educators, employers, parents, and anyone passionate about inclusion.



Episode Highlights:


• From Physicist to Advocate:  What made him walk away from a career in science to lead a center focused on employment for autistic adults.


• A Name for the “Weirdness”: Why discovering he was autistic changed everything—and helped him understand both himself and others better.


• Parenting with Perspective: How his approach to parenting evolved with each of his three neurodivergent children—and the lessons he learned along the way.


• Redefining Self-Advocacy: What true self-advocacy looks like—and how to navigate miscommunication with clarity and compassion.


• Fixing the System: Why traditional job coaching often fails neurodivergent clients—and what the Frist Center is doing to fix it.


• Innovations at Work: How a cutting-edge driving simulator is empowering autistic individuals with greater independence.


• Open Doors: Where to find support—and how the Frist Center is helping families and individuals navigate neurodivergence, one story at a time.


Click below to watch the full episode.




References & Resources:



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