Montgomery County Garage Supports Neurodivergent

Fleming’s Ultimate Garage in Rockville is renowned for showcasing classic cars and restoring them to pristine condition. Each vehicle’s shine and luster are displayed to perfection, meticulously maintained under the supervision of Andrew Lam.

“He is a detail-oriented person, and he is very good at what he does,” commented owner Tony Fleming.

Although Lam is neurodivergent and non-verbal, he has worked at the garage for the past two years. His favorite part of the job is waxing the cars to ensure they remain shiny for the shop’s customers.

On Tuesday, Lam had the opportunity to showcase his work to state leaders who visited the garage to learn more about SEEC, the organization that helped him secure his job. SEEC, a nonprofit based in Silver Spring, assists neurodivergent adults and other Montgomery County residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities in finding employment and fostering personal growth.

“It was just really impressive to see how fulfilled Andrew is with his work here at Fleming’s Garage,” said MD State Delegate Julie Palakovich Carr. “Clearly, he’s enjoying what he’s doing, and it’s great that he has somewhere to go and do something that he enjoys.”

Organizers note that SEEC’s services benefit the entire Montgomery County community. “It ends up being a benefit for the employer, for their customers, for their coworkers, and not to mention, the person with disabilities who’s more integrated with their community, making their own money, and then turning around and spending that money right back in their community,” explained SEEC’s Katrina Kugel.

Research from the Harvard Business Review indicates that companies hiring individuals like Lam experience improved overall worker performance and stronger community relationships.

Now, Carr is spreading the word to encourage companies to consider hiring neurodivergent adults, noting that support is available. “There is a state tax credit that’s available for employers who hire someone who’s been out of work for a long time or has special needs that is often undersubscribed,” she said. “A lot of employers aren’t aware that that is a possibility if they are hiring someone with a disability.”

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