There was a good reason, though: Muench is autistic. But luckily his managers in the loan processing office saw he had potential.

"As I learned my job and got better at the work, the bank expanded my role," Muench said recently, writing his responses in an e-mail. "The bank continues to support me advancing my career and it allows me to play on a level playing field doing the same work as my other colleagues."

But not many of his co-workers realized that until last month, when he received the Outstanding Employee with a Disability Award from a local organization.

"More people now realize that I have a social disability, and that it did not stop me from succeeding," he said. "I want people to know that autism does not have to be a barrier, that you can shine through and do great things in life."

The organization — the Work Enhancement Employment Team — is celebrating its 10th year of promoting that message. The group is made up of representatives from public offices, like the state Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation, and private companies, like Home Depot.

WEET launched six years after the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Since then it has focused on reaching out to the public, helping managers adapt work environments for those who are disabled physically or otherwise.

"You may be surprised to learn how many people in the workforce have disabilities," said De Salazar, WEET's president, whose full-time job is with Nevada JobConnect. "These disabilities may include extreme diabetes requiring insulin injections to blindness and limited mobility."

At its Disability Awards Luncheon on Oct. 18, WEET honored four disabled workers, along with two employers who work well with disabled employees.

At Bank of America's loan processing office, Muench has become an important staff member and an inspiration, said his manager, Jeremy Brooks.

"He helps open the door for others to better understand autism and learn from him," Brooks said.

Said Muench: "I think with proper training and addressing of the issue, work can be done to keep people with autism in the workplace, giving them the opportunity to share and contribute to the business, as well as opportunity for upward mobility."

For more information about how to adapt to disabled workers, try the state Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitations, which can be reached through Joy Sprecher at (702) 486-0279. For more information on WEET, contact Art Greene of Vertical Media at (702) 807-6045.

Other winners at the WEET awards luncheon were:

Gregory Carter, a drive-by shooting victim whose career in professional baseball was cut short. He now is a customer service representative for ClientLogic and coaches his son's baseball team.

Leannasue Sunda, a mentally ill woman who was once homeless. She was aided by Southern Nevada Mental Health Services, and now she is the manager of a café and has regained communication with her family.

Sandra Pollock, a kidney disease patient who must self-administer dialysis every day. She is a lead instructor and creator of the JobConnect Academy at Nevada JobConnect. She has also lobbied in Washington on kidney disease issues.

Southern Nevada Mental Health Services, an agency that consistently hires disabled employees. It also takes part in the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation's Community Based Assessment Program, which measures strengths and weaknesses of workers.

SafeNest, a nonprofit group that regularly recruits disabled workers and has exceptional accommodations for the disabled.