Autism

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disability, typically appearing during childhood and affecting a person's ability to communicate and interact with others. Many people with ASD also have intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Learn more about employment resources for individuals with ASD and their families by clicking on the links below.

Oscar: How Focused, Individualized Exploration Led to a Good Job Match at Shake Shack

Oscar Segal is 27 years old and lives in his own apartment in the Bronx, New York. He grew up with the expectation from his parents that he would work and support himself to the greatest extent possible. For the last seven years, he has worked for the Shake Shack restaurant chain. Read an accessible format of the story here.

Creating a Path: How to Support Families and Young Adults with Autism to Prepare for Competitive Integrated Employment

The transition from school to adult life can be challenging for many families with young adults with Autism. Because of such challenges, preparation activities for young adults are key to post-high school success in employment. The purpose of this toolkit is to share considerations and resources for professionals and other supporters as they work with families and youth to prepare for competitive integrated employment.

Reflections on Research and Real Life in Employment

Second in a series of online talks titled "Expanding the Dialogue on Autism: Reflections on Research & Real Life in Employment," this talk looks at ways that people on the spectrum are shattering outdated expectations about their potential, their success, and their engagement in employment. View other talks on education, healthcare, and community life here: http://50.communityinclusion.org/autism_series

Lessons Learned from the Learning Academy: Optimizing Transition Supports for Young Adults with Autism

The Learning Academy (TLA) at the University of South Florida is a 30-week transition program for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) between the ages of 18 and 25. The program provides services, supports, and experiential opportunities, with the aim of enhancing skills that will prepare students to succeed in the workplace and postsecondary education settings.

Making A Good Match: Introduction to Employment for People with Autism

Submitted by Melanie.Jordan on Thu, 05/10/2018 - 10:20

What is autism and why does most autism information seem to be about children? We will discuss the emerging understanding of the features of ADULTS with autism. We will also discuss a few autism employment initiatives that focus on the VALUE of workers with autism. The success of these programs highlights the importance of placement planning and making a good job match. Toward the end of the session, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has autism will join us briefly to share his insider's perspective on supporting people with autism.

Making It Last: Workplace Supports for People with Autism

Submitted by Melanie.Jordan on Wed, 05/09/2018 - 10:27
Something amazing is happening with autism employment - in Belgium! Although focused on "high functioning autism", the Belgian approach has many lessons for employment services to people with "classic" autism. We will discuss their techniques for synthesizing assessment results into a whole-person perspective, and using that to plan workplace supports. Toward the end of the session, one of the leading autism employment practitioners in the US will join us for an interactive conversation about other emerging practices.
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