For Benji and Giulietta, employment has never been about simply filling time or having somewhere to go during the day. Work has become an important part of who they are. Like everyone else, Benji and Giulietta want to be involved in their communities, contribute in meaningful ways, and have responsibilities that matter. Employment provides opportunities to do all of those things while continuing to build confidence, skills, and independence. For many individuals with developm

When Benji was an infant, from the time he was about three months old, we would take him to coffee shops. There he was mesmerized by baristas making coffee. We would either prop him up on the counter or stand on the side of the counter holding Benji while he gazed tirelessly at all the activity, from the making of the coffee to the paying. He was mesmerized. As he got older, while he had little interest in playing or watching videos, he remained focused on kitchen tasks and a

"Eighteen-year-old Benji Fisman was born with a rare genetic disorder yet despite his complex medical issues Fisman recently celebrated his first anniversary working at IKEA. A personalized plan was set in place to help Fisman achieve workplace goals. Today he's enjoying a life of remunerated employment, increased independence and a sense of belonging with a large and cohesive workplace team. Susan Hay has the story." - Global Celebrating Work and Growth Benji has been making

This guide outlines how we built a purposeful, balanced life for Benji and Giulietta, one rooted in vision, connection, growth, and empowerment. Each step reflects a lived process: lessons learned, strategies refined, and goals that continue to evolve. Step One: Clarifying Our Vision It began with a simple question: What does growth look like for Benji and Giulietta? Once we understood that, everything else fell into place. Our choices, goals, and supports started aligning ar

Benji is a valued and proud member of the IKEA North York team, where he works in the cookware, décor, and rug department. His main role is part of the Back to Shelf (BTS) team, where he returns misplaced items to their proper locations around the store. Growing Confidence and Skills Since joining IKEA, Benji has made remarkable progress. He recently celebrated his three-year anniversary on June 6, 2025, marking three years of hard work, learning, and growth. Over time, Benji

We use the Picture Exchange (PECS) to help Benji develop expressive communication skills. Our goal is to give Benji a clear and consistent visual system that allows him to make requests, express preferences, and engage meaningfully with others. Benji’s communication journey has been quite different from Giulietta’s, even with the same diagnosis, he experiences more challenges with processing and hand-eye coordination. These factors make it difficult for him to use the iPad ef

Creating structure, smooth transitions, and predictability. In our work with Benji and Giulietta, we focus on building independence, predictability, and smooth transitions through structured routines and clear daily schedules. At the same time, their autonomy remains at the centre of everything we do. While we do use weekly schedules and set goals to guide our programming, these are not rigid or fixed. Instead, they serve as a flexible framework that helps create consistency