Woman on the spectrum shares story about getting a chance in the workforce

HINESVILLE, Ga. (WTOC) - April is recognized as Autism Awareness Month, and we want to share the story of a woman on the spectrum named Tasha who works at the planet fitness in Hinesville.

Her mother says this job has been a light in her life and hopes it will inspire other employers to give people with special needs a chance to be a part of their team.

This is Tasha.

“My favorite part is getting the job done,” said Tasha Pugh, Planet Fitness employee.

Her mother Carolynn says Tasha was diagnosed with Autism very early -- but she is much more than her diagnosis. She enjoys eating out, going church with her mom and going to work

“In the Summer, Marie gave me this job, ‘Tasha do you want to work at planet fitness, I say sure. The interview was awesome,” said Pugh.

Having worked a target for years-- when the two moved to Hinesville in 2017 she was ready to jump in to a new role at the Gym... making sure to give a bit of encouragement along the way...

“I encourage them and get those treadmills moving they take their time to work out and get the bikes moving,” said Pugh.

Carolyn says initially it was hard to find opportunities for Tasha.

“I didn’t get discouraged I just tried to fill that space with other things that we did together of course me being retired and getting to an age when I’m tired or a thing of lets just do some fun things and that fun thing was coming here and working out with her and through that it was an opportunity,” said Carolyn Stevens ,Tasha’s mother.

She says she hopes others will offer the same opportunities for other people on the spectrum especially those that age out programs and need to find work.

“As simple as being the person that can fold the envelopes, fold the mail and stuff it in envelope they can have a job in a mail room at a big business,” said Stevens.

Savannah Tech is working to fill that void. Leigh Anne Moore is the career services coordinator and she works with students who have special needs find a job that best suits them.

“If they have gotten so used to going to school having that structure having them going into the workforce will help with that continuity and structure that will keep them on a path to greater learning and self worth,” said Moore.

“At the age that they are we still have to help them and they still have to have something that brings joy to them,” said Stevens.

While most career coaching opportunities at Savannah Tech are reserved for students, Leigh Anne Moore says they do have community contacts they could share for those looking for professional opportunities.

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