Lillian Scenna, LSW, ACRE Supported Employment Specialist Dennis Fitzgibbons, M ED President & CEO Setting a foundation for future employment Southern Maine Autism Conference March 14, 2015

The Challenge of finding a job Poor interviewing skills Frequent job changes Numerous failed attempts Long periods of unemployment Forced into low paying jobs and overqualified

The Facts about ASD It is a neurological disorder ASD is a hidden disability Genetic or interactive environmental causes ASD is a developmental disability The incidence of ASD is thought to be 1 in 250 There are currently more males diagnosed

ASD core features Language in a social context Difficulty understanding non-verbal cues Challenges with executive functioning tasks Focusing on small details Intense interest areas The environment Eye contact is difficult Additional diagnoses Difficulties working in a group Meltdowns as a child Extremely good at memorizing facts and information

A better work experience Social Skill Building A tolerable social and physical environment Communication skills Social behavior Working with individual skills and interest areas Basic Interventions Use of medication Setting up routines Minimize social events Provide organizational supports, visual may be better for some people

A change in culture Supported Employment - Job Coach Quality Indicators Types of Employment Customized Employment Job Carving and Job Creation Natural Supports Networking

Employment First Maine A National official directive A Law from Maine state government agencies Maine State Partners – Offices of Aging and Disability Services(OADS) – Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) – Department of Labor (DOL) – Department of Education (DOE)

What does Employment First mean for Maine? Employment will be the first option Greater opportunities to pursue self-employment Employed within the general workforce, have increased incomes, financial assets, and economic wealth Employers will include people with disabilities within general recruitment and hiring efforts as standard practice Greater opportunities to advance in careers Funding will be sufficient for quality services and supports For individuals who are not working are re-evaluated on a regular basis