TAMPA, Fla. — Since 2010, The Learning Academy at the University of South Florida has been helping students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder find their passions and career paths.

“I’ve got like 15 other designs for this,” said web designer and developer Ryan Buretta as he sat working on a new logo.

Buretta has clients all over the world and gets to do all of his projects from home. 

“People say that people with autism have super powers," Buretta said. "I believe this is true because I have that ability to really focus on things for too long and not really come out of that focus, and I think that has really helped me in my work".

In 2020, his life changed when he graduated from The Learning Academy through the University of South Florida.

The program helped him find his passion.

“They set me up with the CS50 web certification at Harvard and I ended up finishing that in 2021,” he said.

 Since then, he’s been working nonstop.

“I really love it. The amount of joy I get from working on projects with clients is just great,” Buretta said.

The Learning Academy gave him the guidance he needed.

Now, he’s back in the building for the first time in nearly two years.

“It’s very nostalgic being back here and seeing everyone on their computers and today’s schedule with the power points,” said Buretta as he looked in on a class through the door window.

It’s a 30-week customized program that helps young adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder find employment.

“They might come in with a very clear idea of what they want, but they’re not sure what they need to do to get there. Some people have no idea, they might not even know what they like,” said Assistant Program Director Megan Fitzpatrick.

Nineteen-year-old Martin Ramirez is still narrowing down his focus.

“My goal to achieve is to get a job and hopefully I can travel a lot with my family and friends,” he said.

Through the program, students explore real-life opportunities with local employers.

In class, they work with mentors who guide them every step of the way.

“The ripple effect is quite amazing and we’re out there to prove what they can do. They’re quite capable of quite a lot,” Fitzpatrick said.

“You can do it if you try, so that’s why trying your best is important. I have gone through that many times,” Ramirez said.

For Buretta, it’s made all the difference, and he wants other students to feel the same motivation.

“Really, try your best to stay on the learning curve and just be yourself,” said Buretta.