Seven years ago, a woman started a company so her son with autism could work for himself — now, she employs more than 20 young adults on the autism spectrum.

When Stella Spanakos’ husband died suddenly in 2010, she was left as the sole parent for their child Nicholas, who has autism.

“We always talked about our son’s future. It was very uncertain,” Spanakos said.

Spanakos sold her husband’s business in the Garment District of Manhattan and piloted a screen printing business in 2011.

She thought it was a job Nicholas could do. It started in a barn behind her house in Plandome Manor.

Now Spectrum Designs does more than $2 million in annual sales, works out of a 7,400-square foot facility in Port Washington and employs 21 young adults with autism — the majority of its workforce.

“If I could give every person with a disability a job. I would,” Spanakos said.

The company does custom screen printing, embroidery and digital printing for businesses locally and all over the country. Several supervisors monitor the employees.

Read the full story here