In observance of Autism Acceptance Month (also referred to as Autism Awareness Month), The Container Store joins the global effort to advocate for equitable access and inclusion of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Because autism spectrum disorder can vary from person to person, we must embrace the concept of neurodiversity with the understanding that there is no one "right" way of thinking, learning, communicating or behaving. By embracing neurodiversity, we can increase awareness, mitigate the stigma, and eliminate misconceptions of autism and autistic people while improving inclusivity in our communities, schools, healthcare, and workplaces.
One of the ways The Container Store works to advocate for neurodiversity is by partnering with organizations like the Center for BrainHealth. Founded in 1999, the Center for BrainHealth is a nonprofit research institute dedicated to advancing the science of brain health: how the brain best learns, reasons and innovates; actionable ways to protect it from decline; and proactive protocols to repair and regenerate brain systems.
Through programs like Charisma Virtual Social Coaching, the Center for BrainHealth provides neurodivergent people with a personalized, avatar-driven social skill training program. Based on over a decade of research, Charisma combines live, strategy-focused social coaching with in-the-moment practice in a realistic, virtual environment, and it is a convenient, strengths-based, and unscripted training program conducted entirely online. The program has been proven effective for individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), social anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), social pragmatic communication disorder, learning disabilities, as well as those who are gifted and talented, high-achieving, twice exceptional (2E) and/or seeking individualized social-emotional coaching.
Over the span of more than a decade, The Container Store has contributed more than $1.3 million dollars in support of the Center for BrainHealth's research and programmatic efforts. This April, we are sponsoring ten scholarships to participate in the Charisma Virtual Social Coaching Program.
Please join our efforts in supporting the Center for BrainHealth by making a donation, participating in one of their programs or by exploring volunteer opportunities.
