Sponsored by NTACT, join Paul Wehman (Director, VCU-RRTC) and Carol Schall (Director of Technical Assistant, Autism Center for Excellence) as they provide the key elements in supporting students with ASD and challenging behaviors to experience successful paid integrated employment outcomes. Find out how all stakeholders can collaborate on employment internships for students, staff can be trained to provide quality employment supports, and ASD-specific supports can be provided to youth. Be prepared to ask questions about employment for youth with ASD!!
LIVE EVENT: February 22, 2018 Recording Available
ONLINE DISCUSSION: Lots of discussion with Paul and Carol!
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We are eager to discuss Employment for Youth with Autism with you! Please post your questions and comments below.
How can you support the youth you work with find employment?
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32 Comments on "Employment for Youth with Autism: Keys to Success!"
Could you recommend resources, curriculum for social skills/ interpersonal skills?
And might I add one that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. I have no budget for materials.
If you search the PEERS Curriculum on Amazon.com, you will find market prices around $45.00 per book.
There has been excellent research regarding the Peers Curriculum. It is published by Elizabeth Lauguson. Here are some links to her work: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10803-011-1339-1
How do we support students with ASD to disclose their disability?
I think this is a ongoing process that starts young. We encourage parents and teachers to help students identy their strengths and needs in elementary school. This starts the conversation. Openly discussing the name of term in a positive way helps. If a parent or teacher uses Autism as a way to blame, students will not want to identify that way. I use the curriculum 411 on Disclosure with teens. It is great.
How do we best prepare youth with ASD to meet employers’ communication expectations?
Communication skills is very important when in the work force. Interpersonal Communication should be offered in a life skills class. I encouraged my son to take this class and a Speech Class.
We have found that both the employer and the employee have a role to play here. When we work to help the employer understand the individual’s needs, they frequently give a little with respect to communication demands and make accomodations. We also work to teach the individual with ASD to communicate essential messages in the best way they can. This sometimes means using augmentative communication. We prefer to use portable systems, available on a smart phone, rather than big devices.
How can we help youth with ASD to improve communication with employment bosses to sustain employment? Strategies?
We have found that both the employer and the employee have a role to play here. When we work to help the employer understand the individual’s needs, they frequently give a little with respect to communication demands and make accomodations. We also work to teach the individual with ASD to communicate essential messages in the best way they can. This sometimes means using augmentative communication. We prefer to use portable systems, available on a smart phone, rather than big devices.
I teach at a university. How can I get more info on how to start a program for indiv with disabilities?
I recommend that you take a look at the website: Thinkcollege.net would be a great place to start!
What about training for the bosses, supervisors, on communicating with students with ASD?
We do this on an individualized basis. We do offer an initial training to managers on the general characteristics of ASD, but always follow-up with an individual discussion regarding employees working in their business or departments.
How can we encourage employers to hire young adults with special challenges?
Would you share how you address or schedule social skills training for students who have ASD in general education ?
Is there a link or download of the webinar with both audio and visual for those that were not able to attend/hear the entire presentation? The powerpoint is good but does not cover the entire material. Damien’s story as also very good!
Yes! I will post a video on Monday that will show the entire presentation. It will be at the top of this page.
Video is working, but not the audio. My speakers/computer are able to play sound, and I’ve “unmuted” the presentation, but still no sound.
Got it!
Oh good! We should have captioning soon for those that need it also.
Mr. Wehman mentioned something about a program called “SOS” for youth with very significant behavioral challenges. Can you provide more info re same and resources about it?
I think Dr. Wehman referenced PBS, or Positive Behavior Supports. You can find more information about PBS here:
http://Www.apbs.org
Positive Behavior Support is the science of applied behavior analysis combined with the values of person centered planning. We use functional behavior assessment to analyze a behavior and develop a behavior intervention plan to teach the individual to use socially appropriate and effective behavior that serves the same function of the problem behavior.
I am posting a few videos for you! Just a few more days of discussion, be sure to get your questions in!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQ-8p5DN26c
Project Search video from VCU
i AM A MOTHER OF A 30 YEAR OLD YOUNG MAN WITH AUTISTIC FEATURES. HE DOES NOT HAVE GOOD VERBAL ABILITIES. PRESENTLY I AM HELPING HIM TO SELL HIS ART AND ART MERCHANDISE AT BAZAARS. I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO ADVANCE HIS VOCATIONAL SKILLS AS HE DOES NOT HAVE TAKE INITIATIVE TO ATTEND TO CUSTOMERS.
Hi Helen, We have worked with indivdiuals with limited language, but they require a very different set of supports. For example, we have found that medicaid waiver supported employment is a good way to help someone maintain employment when they have significant support needs. I would recommend that you contact your local developmental disalbities office or you local vocational rehabilitation office to find out what supports are available for your son.