State lawmakers visit Rockville to hear about program aimed at helping neurodivergent adults

ROCKVILLE, Md. — Fleming’s Ultimate Garage in Rockville is known for showcasing classic cars and restoring them to pristine condition. Each car’s shine and luster are put on full display, and is maintained under the watchful eye 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 been working at the shop for the past two years, and says his favorite part of the job is waxing the cars to keep them shiny for the shop’s customers.

On Tuesday, he got to showcase his work to state leaders who stopped by the garage to learn more about SEEC, the group that helped Lam find his job.

The nonprofit organization is based in Silver Spring , and helps Montgomery County residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities find jobs and foster personal development.  

“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. “Cleary, he’s enjoying what he’s doing and it’s great that he has somewhere to go and do something that he enjoys.”

Organizers say the benefits of SEEC’s services, extend to the entire community of Montgomery County. “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 who’s making their own money and then turning around and spending that money right back in their community,” explained SEEC’s Katrina Kugel.

Data from Harvard Business Review shows companies that hire folks like Lam see greater overall worker performance, and have a better relationship within the community.

Now Carr is spreading the word that if companies are interested in giving folks like Lam a chance, there’s help.

“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.”