Celebrate with us!

Nominate a hero and join us! Community Advocates' Annual Meeting & Awards Dessert September 30th, 2010 @ 6:30pm

Do you know someone who is always giving their time and compassion towards serving individuals with developmental disabilities? Do you know an individual with a disability who is making strides in the community? Community Advocates Annual Meeting and Awards Dessert is the perfect place for these individuals to receive the credit they deserve! Nominations are due by Monday, September 20th, 2010. Award Categories include: Individual Service Award: an individual who has directly assisted a person with a developmental disability Community Service Award: an indvidual who has made significant contributions to Community Advocates, the field of developmental disabilities, multiple service areas, and Kalamazoo County Special Contribution Award: a volunteer or an organization who has contributed toward the development of a project or program that has had significant impact on a group of individuals with developmental disabilities Trailblazer Award: an individual with a disability who has set an example for others to follow in participating in the life of the community Community Advocates Award: an individual who has set standards of performance, commitment and character and has set an example of service to others over a lifetime of service Professional Excellence Award: a professional whose work has been marked by excellence in performance, dedication to principle and the people he/she serves, and a history of contributions to the community and to the field Pam Miller Self-Determination Award: this award recognizes the work of an individual with a developmental disability to lead a self-directed life George Martin Scholarship: awarded to a member or participant involved in Community Advocates programming to allow participation in the community in an area of personal interest Please send your nominations with your name and contact information, the nominee's name and contact information, and a brief description of why you believe the nominee deserves the award. Nominations should be sent to Deb Russell by Monday, September 20th, 2010 drussell@communityadvocates.org 814 S. Westnedge Kalamazoo, MI 49008 Fax 269-342-4638

ASD and Employment

A problem that individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) face is high unemployment. Individuals with disabilities are less likely to gain employment than their typical peers (Blackorby & Wagner, 1996); but, more importantly, only 15% of all individuals with ASD gain employment (Cameto et al., 2003). If trends continue, the unemployment rate of individuals diagnosed with ASD may increase as more children who are diagnosed and reach the age of employment. This problem impacts not only individuals with ASD and their families, but everyone who pays taxes as well. Typically, people with ASD who are employable, but not employed, utilize government benefits that, in turn, cost everyone.

The population of individuals diagnosed with ASD reaching adulthood is increasing. Vocational Rehabilitation, a division of the Department of Rehabilitation Services, was created to assist people with disabilities in gaining and maintaining employment nationwide. The Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1992 (PL 102-569) made assisting individuals with significant disabilities in gaining employment the Department's primary focus. The U.S. Department of Education and Rehabilitative Services conducted a longitudinal study (Hayward & Schmidt-Davis, 2003) revealing that 65% of applicants turned away or deemed ineligible for services by Vocational Rehabilitation fell under the classification of "significant" or "most significant" disabilities. Individuals diagnosed with ASD are categorized as persons having significant disabilities or most significant disabilities by Vocational Rehabilitation Services.

One way to assist people with ASD in gaining and maintaining employment is to assist them in finding a good job match. In order for this match to be a win/win situation for the employer and for the employee understanding the needs and characteristics of the individual is vital. That's when an assessment of both is vital.

Assessment of the individual

1. Should begin in middle school/ Jr. high
   
2. It should include:
   

• Functional/Daily Living Skills
  
• Communication
  
• Behavior
  
• Socialization
  
• Employment Skills
  
• Task analysis/ jobs
  
• Preferences/dislikes
  
• Reinforces
  

Assessment of the Employer/ Job Site

• Knowledge of needs of Employer/people
  
• Knowledge of needs of Job
  
• Knowledge of site
  
• Types of jobs
  
• Restrictions
  
• Openness to working with people with disabilities
  
• Openness to accommodations/modifications
  

Thinks to think about when looking for a match

• Skills/abilities for job- Evaluate specific jobs
  
• Hours needed by employer
  
• Environment/Culture – Organization fit and disclosure
  
• Location/transportation
  
• Sensory/allergies
  
• What are the goals/dreams of the individual? Family?
  
• Strengths/Weaknesses ( e.g. communication, self-help)
  
• Realistic Expectations
  

Suggestions:

1. Disclosure help get supports
   
2. Customize your resume
   
3. Fill out applications at home
   
4. Practice (a lot!) your Interview. Role play. Keep your answers short.
   
5. When faced with an abstract questions, respond with " I like to think about that"
   

Resources and Links:

http://www.aspiritech.org/about/

http://www.jobs4autism.com/

http://www.autism-help.org/aspergers-syndrome-adults.htm

http://www.dps.missouri.edu/Autism/Adult%20Autism%20&%20Employment.pdf

http://www.brighthub.com/mental-health/autism-pdd/articles/81560.aspx

http://www.coultervideo.com/asatwork.htm