Jeff Snyder | SpeakerHub

Personal Details

Bio

Hello and welcome!! Allow me to introduce myself, I am Jeffrey “Jeff” Snyder, autism and neurodiversity advocate and public speaker based in Seekonk, Massachusetts and founder of “Going the Distance,” my mission to share my story on both an in person or virtual platform since 2021. My speaking topics range from autism/neurodiverse families and professionals to educators to employers using examples from mainstream media to illustrate key points on whatever topic I cover. Born in Providence, Rhode Island in 1989, I was first diagnosed with autism at the age of 21 months old in December of 1990 and as a result, I was nonverbal until I was 4 years old.

Upon my graduation from Seekonk High School in 2007, I became the first special education student on the autism spectrum to complete an entire education within the Seekonk Public Schools system. In addition to my high school diploma, I was also awarded the Massachusetts Secondary School Administration Association (MSSAA) Prinicipal’s Leadership Award and the Student Leadership Award upon my graduation.

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After graduating in 2008, I made it my mission to give back and pay it forward to education beginning when I founded the Jeffrey Snyder “Go the Distance” scholarship which goes towards graduating Seekonk High School students who had been on an Individual Education Plan or IEP’s that are seeking college acceptance. To this date, we have given out over $10,000 in scholarships. I also have administrative volunteer positions as Core Team Leader for the Autism Tree Project Foundation in San Diego, California since 2019 and as first as a member of the Junior Board and later Board of Directors for the Unicorn Children’s Foundation in Boca Raton, Florida in 2021. More recently, I have been designated as a Flutie Fellow for the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism in Framingham, Massachusetts since September of 2022.

Some of my key interests include writing fanfictions (stories based on movies, television shows and other forms of mainstream media), Disney (classic Disney mostly), Classic Movies and from 2011-2019, I was a member of the Brony Fandom which are fans of “My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.” As for my employment, I worked for Borders Bookstores in North Attleboro, MA in inventory and customer service from September 2007 to September 2010 and since December of 2010, I have been working for Stop and Shop Supermarkets first as a bagger and now as a porter (janitorial specialist) in Seekonk, MA.

So far, my mission and my life’s story has impacted hundreds of lives and I hope to leave you and your friends and family inspired with my story because anyone can “GO THE DISTANCE.”

*Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your health care provider

Current position (1)

Autism/Neurodiversity Self-Advocate

Degrees (1)

High School Diploma

Seekonk High School

2003 to 2007

Presentations

Presentations (8)

The Man Behind the Curtain

Have you ever wondered what it is like to grow up neurodiverse and have a paying job at the same time? In this roundtable discussion, I share my story of growing up on the autism spectrum and going through the process of getting a paid job in the retail industry.

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer: Why Does It Represent Neurodiversity?

In 1964, Rankin and Bass created one of the most beloved animated tv specials of all time, "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer." In the years following it's debut, "Rudolph" has become beloved by children and adults alike.

However, "Rudolph" also has characters that represent traits of disability and neurodiversity. In this presentation, you will learn more about these characters and what traits they represent.

Autism in Disney Characters: Volume 1

Disney...

We have all grown up with it in some way or another, whether it would be watching the movies, buying the merchandise or travelling to their theme parks around the world.

However, little do we realize that there are certain characters that display traits of being on the Autism Spectrum. We may not see it at first, but in this presentation, you will see what makes them relate to those with Autism.

Autism in Disney Characters: Volume 2

Yes, I am sure you are all familiar with Disney whether it's the movies, the theme parks and everything else in between.

But, did you know that a lot of Disney Characters display traits of autism? There is much more in fact, to the point where a volume 2 had to be created! In this presentation, you will discover and connect with 8 more characters that display traits of autism that we may not know about when we first meet them!

Cosmo the Seedrian: What Does She Represent in Autism/Neurodiversity?

Cosmo the Seedrian appeared in Season 3 of the anime "Sonic X" based on the video game character of the same name. But while she later became a love interest for Tails, did you know that she also displays traits of autism/neurodiversity?

In this presentation, you will learn what Cosmo represents in autism/neurodiversity and how you can connect with her on a personal level as a result.

School Safety Drills and Autism

Every school we go to practices a various form of school safety drills such as fire, lockdown or bus evacuation drill. However, for students on the autism spectrum, these drills are very difficult to go through.

In this presentation, you will learn tricks of the trade in helping students with autism go through these various and challenging safety drills.

Autism and Bullying

Bullying has become a major problem in our schools and workplaces, but no one is more subjected to bullying than those on the autism spectrum.

In this presentation, you will learn the main factors of bullying and how to support and protect those on the autism spectrum from it.

School Dances and Autism

School dances are sort of like a social circle for school students, a chance to let students be students and socialize with others. However, for students on the autism spectrum, school dances can be overwhelming and difficult to go through. In this presentation, you will get some ideas on how to help an autistic/neurodiverse student attend and enjoy a school dance.

Past talks (17)

School Safety Drills and Autism

74th Annual Florida Council for Exceptional Children Conference

Daytona Beach, Florida

October 21, 2022

"The Man Behind the Curtain: A DEI Discussion"

2022 Florida APSE Conference

Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida

May 6, 2022

"School Safety Drills and Autism"

North Carolina Council for Exception Children Virtual Conference

Virtual

February 26, 2022

The Man Behind the Curtain: A DEI Discussion

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Virtual

March 1, 2022

School Safety Drills and Autism

82nd Annual Michigan Council for Exceptional Children Conference

Virtual

March 4, 2022

"School Safety Drills and Autism"

Arizona Council for Exceptional Children Virtual Conference

Virtual

February 15, 2022

"The Man Behind the Curtain"

Epstein DEI Lunch and Learn

Virtual

October 25, 2021

"Autism in Disney Characters: Volume 1"

Autism Tree Project Foundation Global Neuroscience Conference

Virtual

November 12, 2021

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer: Why Does it Represent Neurodiversity?

Creative Workforce Solutions Conference

Virtual

December 2, 2021

“Disclosing as Neurodiverse”

NDGifts North America June 2021 Meeting: “Disclosing as Neurodiverse”

Virtual

June 24, 2021

"Autism in Disney Characters: Volume 1"

Metrocon 2021

Tampa, Florida

July 25, 2021

Living Autistically Panel Forum

Autism Tree Project Foundation

San Diego, California

November 1, 2019

"Autism in Disney Characters, Volume 1"

Autism Society of Northern Virginia

Reston, Virginia

November 7, 2020

"School Safety Drills and Autism, Part 1"

CARD Virtual Conference

Orlando, Florida

January 17, 2021

"Autism in Disney Characters: Volume 1"

MyCon 2021

Orlando, Florida

March 6, 2021

"Autism and Bullying"

Embrace Ausome

Montgomery County, Maryland

March 24, 2021

"A Conversation with Jeff Snyder, Autism and Disabilities Self-Advocate"

Family Behavior Solutions, Inc.

East Providence, Rhode Island

April 21, 2021

All (24)
Videos (14)
Photos (2)
Slides (8)

Interview with Jeff Snyder

Equally Heard Episode 02: Jeff Snyder

Finding the Super Powers Within with Dr. April Lisbon | Episode 8: Jeff Snyder

011 with Autism and Disabilities Self-Advocate, Jeff Snyder

Jeff Snyder: Autism Self-Advocacy

Autistics and Allies: Healing Relationships Between the Police and Autistic Community

47. Neurodiversity in Popular Cartoon Characters, w/Jeff Snyder - Autism Knows No Borders (Full Int)

Episode 11: When I First Learned - Amanda Irtz

For All Abilities - 041 - Jeff Snyder on Stitcher

78. Making a Career from Self-Advocacy (w/ Jeff Snyder) by Autism Grown Up Podcast

Autism Stories: Jeff Snyder by Autism Stories

Understanding Autism With Jeff Snyder | CrazyFitnessGuy

Stories: ASD Advocacy - Aspergers Studio

Ep45. Top Stressors in Education with Jeff Snyder Autism Self-Advocate

Presenting "Autism in Disney Characters: Volume 1" at MyCon 2021 in Orlando, FL on Saturday March 6th, 2021

Presenting "Autism in Disney Characters: Volume 1" at Metrocon 2021 in Tampa, FL on Sunday July 25th, 2021

THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN: A Q&A WITH JEFF SNYDER, AUTISM/NEURODIVERSITY SELF-ADVOCATE AND PUBLIC SPEAKER, FOUNDER OF âGOING THE DISTANCE.â

RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER: WHY DOES IT REPRESENT NEURODIVERSITY?

AUTISM IN DISNEY CHARACTERS: VOLUME 1

AUTISM IN DISNEY CHARACTERS: VOLUME 2

School Safety Drills and Autism

Autism and Bullying

SCHOOL DANCES AND AUTISM

Cosmo the Seedrian: What Does She Represent for the Autism/Neurodiversity Community?

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Books & Articles (3)

"This is Autism" by Jessica Leichtweisz and AIdan Allman-Cooper (Contributing Author)

Independently Published,

2020

Epstein DEI Discussion with Jeff Snyder

Unstoppable: How Jeff Snyder of Unicorn Children’s Foundation has Redefined Success While Navigating Society With Autism

Clients

Attleboro Enterprises

Autism Tree Project Foundation

Community Autism Resources

Seekonk Public Schools

Autism Society of Northern Virginia

Awards & certifications (1)

"Principal's Leadership Award"

Seekonk High School

2007

Reviews

Testimonials (1)

Jeff has been a speaker for the organization I work for in several capacities. Jeff has inspired high school student preparing to leave school by sharing his own journey and offering advice and support to young people. Jeff has informed our staff and influenced change in the way we practice fire safety. Jeff has also spoken to potential employers and shared his tremendous insight and self awareness with employers in order to promote the abilities of people on the autism spectrum. Jeff is very professional. His talks are funny and engaging, honest and introspective and relatable to everyone he addresses.
Shelley Raposa
Verified

Why choose me?

I help leaders
- effectively communicate beyond differences
- leverage diversity
- empower teams

Personal Details

Presentations

Books & Articles (3)

Expertise (23)

Clients

Awards & certifications (1)

Reviews