Adults with disabilities staff Special Kneads and Treats bakery in Lawrenceville, Georgia.
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Adults with disabilities staff Special Kneads and Treats bakery in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

April is Autism Awareness Month. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 1 in 68 U.S. children is on the autism spectrum.

 

Ten years ago, Tempa and Michael Kohler opened Special Kneads and Treats, a bakery in Lawrenceville. Like many bakeries, they make delicious cakes and other sweets treats. But what's special about the Kohlers' bakery is the employees: adults with disabilities.

 On Second Thought host Adam Ragusea speaks with Special Kneads and Treats co-founder Tempa Kohler.

The Kohlers' son, Bradley, works in the bakery. He has Fragile X. Bradley and the other adults who work at Special Kneads and Treats help with shopkeeping and decorate cakes once a week.

 

The bakery also provides free birthday cakes for children whose families can't afford to pay.

 

Tempa Kohler joined us in studio to tell the story of her family's experience with autism spectrum disorder and the success of the bakery.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mATHAl8gdzc