By Jim Utter
Director of Journalism
The 20th anniversary Autism Speaks gala is getting a boost from a car wash company that epitomizes the group’s goals and mission.
In 2011, John D’Eri came up with the novel idea of buying a car wash to employ his son, Andrew, and others like him who struggled to find their place in world while diagnosed with autism.
Working with his other son, Thomas, Jon developed Rising Tide Car Wash, which employs an innovative model that intentionally designs the work environment in a way that empowers individuals with autism to thrive and produce extraordinary results.
For the 20th anniversary Autism Speaks fundraising event on Apil 1 – the Celebrity Chef Gala in New York City – Rising Tide co-founder Thomas D’Eri will donate 650 copies of his book, “The Power of Potential.”
In “The Power of Potential,” Thomas D’Eri discusses employment opportunities for workers with autism, discovers and corrects common problems that typically fly under the radar in businesses, and tells readers the inspiring reason why.
The book has received praise from notable authors including Seth Godin, Chip Health, Temple Grandin, Steve Silberman and Chris Yeh.
“At Rising Tide Car Wash, our purpose is to help individuals with autism shine. We strive to change the root cause of the approximate 85% unemployment rate among people with autism: society views autism as a disability as opposed to diversity,” said Thomas D’Eri.
“At least 500,000 more individuals with autism will enter the workforce in the next decade. I am proud to donate 650 copies of ‘The Power of Potential’ to the Celebrity Chef Gala, to help spread awareness and raise funds to create a world where every individual with autism can truly thrive.”
John and Thomas D’Eri have developed Rising Tide Car Wash into a profitable, high-performing service organization that customers love to support, and employees love to work for.
The Celebrity Chef Gala kicks off Autism Acceptance Month, which has raised more than $17 million over the past 17 years in support of Autism Speaks’ mission.
The event provides a timely opportunity to recognize the strengths, contributions and unique experiences of individuals with autism while promoting inclusion and dismantling stereotypes.
With approximately 90 employees with autism and three locations in south Florida ― Parkland, Margate and Coral Springs ― Rising Tide Car Wash is one of the largest employers of people with autism in the United States.
Autism is a complex neurological and developmental disorder that impacts social skills, communication, speech and behavior. Individuals with autism are often unable to navigate the social dynamics and can face substantial challenges navigating the workplace.
About one in 36 children have been identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) according to estimates from the CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network.
