Getting a job can be difficult and arduous, but it’s often a rewarding process. Jobs allow us to develop both professionally and personally. By obtaining work experience, we can develop unique skills, such as interpersonal, organization or computer skills, gain independence, and become part of a greater community.

However, only 15 percent of autistic people are employed full-time and many who are employed are paid minimum wage and given little flexibility or opportunities to advance in their field. Autistic people are trying to change that.

Recently, for example, trainer Mark Fleming opened a gym for people on the autism spectrum. He not only wanted to create employment opportunities for people like him but he also wanted to create a safe space for people in the autism community to stay physically active. Businesses like these can make a genuine difference in the lives of autistic people and it’s important to support them.

Related:​ We Took Control of Our Child's IEP Meeting and This Happened...

Interested in supporting a business owned by someone on the autism spectrum? We asked The Mighty’s community for some recommendations. Here are 15 businesses you can check out!

1. Stimtastic

Created by Cynthia Kim, who is on the spectrum, Stimtasatic has fidget toys and jewelry designed for people on the autism spectrum or with sensory processing disorders. These toys allow for quiet and subtle stimming, repetitive actions that help regulate sensory or emotional input. The toys are tested by autistic people and many of these gadgets, like a chewable jellyfish pendant or stretchy squishy octopus, are under $10. Approximately 10 percent of all proceeds are donated to the autism community.

2. SMILE Biscotti

Related:​ My Son Was Diagnosed With Autism at 13 Years Old

SMILE stands for Supporting My Independent Living Enterprise. It was founded by Matt Resnik, who is on the autism spectrum, to help others like him. It’s meant to develop life skills, connections and independence. Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center’s (SARRC) Rising Entrepreneurs program had given Matt a grant, which he used to start his bakery and employ other people with autism.

3. Poppin Joe’s Gourmet Kettle Korn

Related:​ Why I Was Messy as Someone on the Autism Spectrum

Joe Steffy has Down syndrome and is autistic. When attending public school, counselors told his family that he would never have a job or become independent. Steffy was determined to prove them wrong and he, with support from his family, became the sole proprietor of Poppin Joe’s Kettle Korn. You can find him selling kettle corn at festivals, retail outlets and farmers’ markets in Kansas and Georgia. Steffy’s business also donates kettle corn to military troops serving overseas.

4. Puzzle Piece Fitness

Mark Fleming was passionate about personal training so he took a college course on adaptive physical education and volunteered for the Special Olympics. As a result, he became inspired to open his own gym in Tampa, Florida, for autistic people. In an interview with CNN, he said, “There was nothing for people with autism to stay active [after the Special Olympics ended]. And they would end up regressing. A lot of the time, people with disabilities stay at home a lot and become sedentary.” Fleming designed his gym to prevent sensory overload. It doesn’t have the cramped spaces, constant movement and noise that regular gyms have.

5. Sensoriale

U.K.-based restaurant Sensoriale was started by Mel Lingwood and her son Owen Hardstaff, who is on the autism spectrum. They offer a variety of food options, including gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian. The restaurant is adapted to make people with sensory issues feel comfortable. For example, the amount of light and sound in the restaurant is decreased by removing air dryers in the bathroom and soundproofing the kitchen. There are also earphones and fidget toys at every table plus a “chill-out” zone where you can change the color of lights, play with bean bag chairs and feel the unique textured wall. The restaurant also hires people on the autism spectrum.

6. Designs by Siri

Siri Chettipally was diagnosed as autistic at a young age. She found an expressive outlet through jewelry-making that now both supports herself and others like her. Her business, Designs by Siri, is supported by the nonprofit De Colores Arts, which supports creative people with disabilities. Chettipally’s beautiful designs also include cute jewelry made with silicone beads safe for chewing for those who want sensory processing regulation. Designs by Siri’s platform is also open to others on the autism spectrum.

7. JT Firestarters

JT Firestarters was founded by Daniel Toops, who is on the autism spectrum and has obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). He sells firestarter kits for campfires, fireplaces and the like. Each firestarter is made by hand out of recycled material. You can find JT Firestarters at select retailers nationwide, including in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota and South Dakota. Toops hopes to hire more autistic people in the future as his business grows.

8. Rising Tide Carwash

John D’Eri and his son Tom D’Eri, who is autistic, were aware of the lack of employment opportunities available for autistic people. In response, they founded their own car wash business, Rising Tide. It gives young adults with disabilities the chance to be a part of the community, build self-esteem and become financially independent. It’s one of the largest employers of autistic people, creating almost 100 jobs in South Florida. The father-son team recently opened a second location in Florida and are expecting to expand more.

9. Bike Dr. Derek

Derek Baily began his own bike repair business, Bike Dr. Derek, when he was 16. Baily is on the autism spectrum and has epilepsy. He receives mentoring from a professional bike mechanic to bring Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, a full-service bike shop. A portion of his profits are donated to Disability Rights International, an advocacy group that promotes inclusivity and human rights for people with disabilities.

10. Stuttering King Bakery

When Matt Cottle, who is on the autism spectrum, was in high school, he became interested in the culinary arts. But because traditional classrooms didn’t fit his learning style, he wasn’t able to attend formal culinary school. After learning of the high unemployment rate of autistic people, Cottle decided to attend a vocational school that specializes in training people autistic people followed by three years of speciality training with pastry chef Heather Netzloff. Cottle and his mother Peggy then founded Stuttering King Bakery in 2012 in their Phoenix-area home kitchen where they are open for local orders.

11. Popcorn for the People

Popcorn for the People founder Samuel Bier is an autistic person who aimed to provide long-term employment opportunities for young adults like him. In addition to hiring other workers with disabilities, 100% of his profits go to Let’s Work for Good, a nonprofit that helps run the business while providing job opportunities to adults with disabilities. His business also provides pre-employment job education and training accommodations. Bier’s tasty popcorn flavors include cookies and cream, buffalo wings and Chicago-baked cheddar cheese that are available to purchase online.

Know any businesses that are run by people on the autism spectrum? Let us know in the comments below!

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