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