Model System:

TBI

Reference Type:

Journal

Accession No.:

J73204

Journal:


Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders (JADD)

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

, 45, 12, 3990-4001

Publication Website:

Abstract:

Study compared the outcomes associated with implementation of supported employment (SE) with and without prior Project SEARCH with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) Supports (PS-ASD) on wages earned, time spent in intervention, and job retention. The SE intervention uses a four-step process to assist job seekers in achieving stability in competitive employment: job seeker profile, job development, job site training, and long-term support (LTS) services. PS-ASD is a school-to-work transition program in which youth with ASD in their last year of high school are embedded in a large community business to teach them job skills. Upon the acquisition of a job or the completion of the program, the student then transitions to adult services and receives SE until they achieve stability on the job and enter into LTS services. Clinical records were reviewed for 45 adults with ASD who received SE from the same agency. Twenty-five individuals received prior intervention through PS-ASD while the other 20 individuals received SE only. The individuals in the PS-ASD group differed from the individuals in the SE-only group only in that they received a very specific vocational training intervention in their last year of high school. The data collected included the number of hours of intervention, length of time in the job, and wages earned. Results suggest that SE resulted in competitive employment for both groups. Individuals who received PS-ASD required fewer hours of intervention. Additionally, individuals in the PS-ASD group achieved a mean higher wage and had higher retention rates than their peers who received SE only.

Author(s):


Schall, Carol M., Wehman, Paul, Brooke, Valerie, Graham, Carolyn, McDonough, Jennifer, Brooke, Alissa, Ham, Whitney, Rounds, Rachael, Lau, Stephanie, Allen, Jaclyn

Participating Centers: