Strategies for Supporting Young Adults with Autism to Succeed in the Professional Environment
In a bid to help young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) navigate the complexities of college and the workforce, innovative programs are being developed to provide comprehensive support.
Sheltered programs, traditionally, have lacked training in social cognition and transition planning, hindering the ability of employees to find competitive jobs elsewhere. However, recent initiatives are focusing on addressing these gaps.
A study, using the CEDAR Social Cognition Scale and employer evaluations, has demonstrated progress in young adults with ASD. The study showed steady growth in openness to new ideas, ability to transition, and willingness to accept feedback, underlining the importance of providing social cognition training for the business environment.
One such initiative is the Open Options Partnership, a for-profit startup created by Lois Rosenwald, executive director of Autism Services and Resources Connecticut (ASRC), and Julie Hipp, its board president, in 2014. The project aimed to overcome employment barriers for young adults with ASD and help them thrive in professional, competitive work environments.
The Open Options Partnership focused on a client having trouble finding employees for patent application reviews. Four young adults were selected for the project, deemed able to handle workplace situations and managers by a predictive index. The employees worked with the patent company on an as-needed, contract basis, with inconsistent work schedules. One important finding was the need for predictable schedules for employees with ASD to succeed in the workforce.
Effective transition programs for young adults with ASD focus on early, personalized planning and provide skills to prepare for college and workforce success. These programs typically emphasize life skills, social skills, self-advocacy, executive functioning, and vocational training within supportive environments.
Key elements of these programs include systematic planning starting at ages 12-14, skill development, residential and assisted living support, real-world experience and clinical support, and summer immersion and leadership camps. Examples of effective programs include Mt. Bethel Village Autism Assisted Living, Mission Creek Camp, and Beyond Akeela, and Neurodivergent Summer Readiness Programs.
With the proper training and accommodations, people with ASD could become productive and sought-after employees in the workplace, making them truly independent. Dr. Michael Ben-Avie, a community faculty member with the Yale Child Study Center and a researcher with the Center of Excellence on Autism Spectrum Disorders at Southern Connecticut State University, is working to improve these transitions for students with ASD.
In 2015, only 58% of young adults with ASD worked for pay outside the home after high school. It is hoped that with the implementation of these effective transition programs, this number will significantly increase, providing a brighter future for young adults with ASD.
References:
[1] National Autism Indicators Report: Transition Age Youth (2018). Retrieved from https://researchautism.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Transition-Age-Youth-Report-2018.pdf
[2] Mt. Bethel Village Autism Assisted Living. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.mtbethelvillage.com/
[3] Mission Creek Camp and Beyond Akeela. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.missioncreekcamp.com/
[4] Neurodivergent Summer Readiness Programs. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.transitionsllc.org/
[5] National Autism Indicators Report: Transition Age Youth (2018). Retrieved from https://researchautism.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Transition-Age-Youth-Report-2018.pdf
Education-and-self-development programs that focus on personal-growth and learning are essential for young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) to navigate college and the workforce. Effective transition programs, such as the Open Options Partnership, provide skills like life skills, social skills, self-advocacy, executive functioning, and vocational training, emphasizing consistent work schedules for success in the business environment.
