Autistic adults’ employment rates remain extremely low, posing a clinically significant problem given the benefits of employment for well-being, independence and life satisfaction in all adults. We present integrative cross-disciplinary strategies to improve employment outcomes in autistic individuals. Dr. Brianne Tomaszewski will present findings from a clinical trial of the TEACCH Autism Program, School Transition to Employment and Postsecondary Education Program (T-STEP), a community college-based transition program for autistic students that includes self-determination and executive function training, counseling and an internship. Dr. Matthew Smith will then discuss a Hybrid Type I trial of the effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability of a virtual workplace communication training platform (WorkChat) developed with members of the autistic community and implemented in 4 post-secondary pre-employment transition services. Dr. Ben Schwartzman will discuss his study of a parent mentorship program to assist parents in connecting their adult autistic and/or intellectual disabled family members with paid employment. Finally, Dr. Marjorie Solomon will present results of a Hybrid Type 1 effectiveness trial examining employment outcomes, and feasibility and acceptability of the highly validated Individualized Placement and Support (IPS) model –which has been used extensively and successfully in the severe mental illness field –implemented in autistic adults in the community.
Chair: Matthew Smith, University of Michigan,
Second Chair: Marjorie Solomon, University of California-Davis,
Discussant: Mary Baker-Ericzen, San Diego State University
First Presentation: Examining Moderators and Maintenance Effects of a Transition Intervention for Autistic Adolescents and Young Adults
Brianne Tomaszewski, University of North Carolina,
Second Presentation: Initial Findings from a Hybrid Type I RCT of WorkChat: A Virtual Workday for Autistic Transition-Age Youth Delivered in Pre-Employment Transition Services
Matthew Smith, University of Michigan,
Third Presentation: Effects of a Parent-to-Parent Mentorship Intervention on the Competitive Integrated Employment Outcomes of Adults with Autism and/or Intellectual Disability
Ben Schwartzman, Vanderbilt University,
Fourth Presentation: Enhancing Competitive Integrated Employment for Autistic Adults: Barriers, Facilitators, and the Potential of the Individualized Placement and Support (IPS) Model
Jo Ann Yon-Hernández, University of California – Davis, Marjorie Solomon, University of California – Davis