Meet Elana Himmelfarb | Autism Consultant, Transition & Learning Specialist, Disability Sexuality Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elana Himmelfarb and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elana, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I had been specializing in children and adolescents since I began my career, but when I worked at a high school for 8 years I realized that there existed a window of extreme vulnerability post high school for young adults with disabilities. They literally fall off a support cliff upon graduation and parents scramble to attend to a vast well of need. Right at a critical time of self-discovery, identity formation and confidence building they are faced with unclear pathways to social connectedness, employment, housing options, and meaningful activities. I saw that change needed to happen on all levels from individual lives to policy changes to provide equitable opportunities to participate and contribute to community. There is such a huge need for Demystification about young adults with disabilities, particularly Autism. Although the means and ways to reach goals may be different, the goals are the same – to find your tribe, to fall in love, to have a job you excel at, to have a living situation that fits your needs and means, to follow your dreams and passions and to have a life well lived. I am just one person, but I realized if I had a consulting practice it would afford me to go up and down that ladder of need and contribute where I feel I can be most effective. I write open source Transition curriculum currently being used in the US and Canada. I do clinical support and staff training for staff working in disability programs. And I work with individual families. My expertise areas are Regulation, Executive Function and Sexuality. Those are all vital gardens that need to be tended.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I often tell people when they ask me what I do that I am a “way finder”. Yes I of course draw upon all my trainings and education and experience in my work, but the special sauce is creativity. When you work with people on life-building and planning it is so intimate. When I am working with an organization or training professionals, I never forget it is comprised of individuals each with their own experience. I remind myself am not just working with hearts and minds. Self-awareness building and identity formation engage the spirit as well. Helping someone find their creative outlets is just as important as finding them gainful employment. To approach my work holistically and to be effective I believe I must tap into my and my client’s creativity.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love supporting local small businesses so I would take them to my favorite small restaurants and markets. There is so much nature to explore in and around Atlanta, so the weekend would include some intown hikes in the Atlanta forests as well as a trip to Arabia Mountain to climb and visit AWARE Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. I would take them to see local music, ideally outdoors and explore some of my favorite microbreweries for tour and tasting in Avondale/Decatur. Favorite restaurants include Coyote Grill in Decatur, The Marlay Irish pub in Decatur, Mezcalitos Cantina in Oakhurst and My Parent’s Basement in Avondale. Best markets: Jimmy Carter Presidential Center Farmer’s Market and the Candler Park Market.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My biggest shout out is to Carly, a young woman with Cerebral Palsy who taught me at a young age to never underestimate anyone with a disability. I also want to shout out to Compassionate Atlanta and PRIDE for funding an amazing community conversation project the last 2 years on the intersectionality of identity, disability and sexuality. For recognizing the value in community building through conversations and sharing of lived experiences. It helped me learn how to listen in a whole new way.

Website: http://elanahimmelfarb.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elana-himmelfarb-0a2126b/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElanaHimmelfarbLlc

Image Credits
Graphic created by Claudia Lopez from an Intersectionality of Disability, Identity and Sexuality Community Conversation event funded by Compassionate Atlanta, PRIDE Atlanta and Global Umbutu