There’s a Light at the End of the Tunnel: Transitioning Adults with Autism into Employment Presented by: Jack White & Robert Johns

MEN AT WORK The Road to Successful Employment

Path to a Vocation Lack of Stability Poor Self Discipline Not Dependable Low Productivity Poor Communication Lack of Leadership Inconsistent

Path to a Vocation

Dependability Consistency Stability Responsibility Productivity Good Communication Leadership Foundational Work Skills

Employment Training Model

Purpose: Skill Development Build Autonomy Increase Competence Dependability Consistency Stability (Emotional) Responsibility Productivity Communication Leadership Foundational Work Skills

Employment Training Model: Create the right learning environment for developing work skills Objective –To help them envision success by having hope for the future –To develop contrast to their past failures by experiencing small victories –To slowly build their confidence one step at a time Core Values: *Growth requires HOPE *Remember the ONE *Small changes are great Why?

Focus on building the student (not the task) Relatedness w/staff (trust, rapport, relationship w/staff) Environment  ok to make mistakes….(Work is a class) Start where the students are More structure More support More job coaching More feedback BUILD on positive How? Employment Training Model: Create the right learning environment for developing work skills

ScenicView Trainee Program On-campus work stations (13) hrs/week Work as temps and trainees Trainee Mentor opportunities Internships Create smaller stepping stones: manageable, incremental growth (again, small changes are great). What? Employment Training Model: Create the right learning environment for developing work skills

Skill Development Start with looking at them as an individual –Understand their starting point –Separate the individual from their disability –What are their strengths? Learning Styles – How do they prefer to process information? –Visual –Auditory –Kinesthetic Model Method –Show an example –Observe –Give feedback –Lather, Rinse, Repeat Work is a class –They need an opportunity to learn without fear of making a mistake –Need time to grow and change –Patience in mentoring and training –Examples…

Career Counseling and Job Matching/Placement Career Counseling –Interest Assessments –Explore Occupations –Choose Career Path –Job Shadowing –Internships Job Matching –What are their interests? –What are their Strengths? –What skills does the job require? –What job categories should be avoided? (Consider sensory integration) –Where have they had success or failures in the past? Job Placement –Online Job Searches –Networking –Applications –Interview Practice –Job Carving/Negotiation with Employers –Job Coaching

Success Stories JF – Country Club Grounds LB – Home Improvement Store JF – Internships with Cities and Job Offer WT – State Certified as a Fire Riser Inspector

There is Hope for a Brighter Future

Questions?