View of the Work Community and Vocational Rehabilitation Services Among Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Many adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face challenges in establishing and maintaining employment. These difficulties may be related to ASD symptomology or employer attitudes; however, vocational rehabilitation (VR) can provide employment-related resources. This study sought to understand how adults with ASD view their integration into workplace communities and VR services. Qualitative data were collected from 24 U.S. adults with ASD, and analysis identified themes surrounding the importance of workplace contributions, interesting work, and positive workplace relationships contributing to feeling integrated into the workplace community. Responses were also examined for perspectives on the role of VR in supporting workplace integration. Findings indicate the importance of attending to individual employment preferences and the need for long-term VR follow-along services to explore opportunities for employment growth. Implications and future recommendations for research and practice are also discussed.

Keywords

career/vocational qualitative research

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Alverson

Yamamoto

(2017). Employment outcomes of vocational rehabilitation clients with autism spectrum disorders. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals, 40(3), 144–155. https://doi.org/10.1177/2165143416629366

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).

Cage

Troxell-Whitman

(2019). Understanding the reasons, contexts, and camouflaging for autistic adults. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disabilities, 49(5), 1899–1911. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-018-03878-x

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Data & statistics on autism spectrum disorder. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html

Chan

D. V.

Doran

Galobardi

(2022). Beyond friendship: The spectrum of social participation of autistic adults. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-022-05441-1

Chen

Sung

(2015). Vocational rehabilitation service patterns and outcomes for individuals with autism of different ages. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(9), 3015–3029. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2465-y

Hansen

Schendel

Parner

(2014). Explaining the increase in the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders: The proportion attributable to changes in reporting practices. JAMA Pediatrics, 169(1), 56–62. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2014.1893

Hayward

McVilly

Stokes

(2019). Autism and employment: What works. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 60(1), 48–58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2019.01.006

Hedley

Cai

Uljarevic

Wilmont

Spoor

Richdale

Dissanayake

(2017). Transition to work: Perspectives from the autism spectrum. Autism, 22(5), 528–541. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361316687697

10.

Howlin

Goode

Hutton

Rutter

(2004). Adult outcome for children with autism. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 45(2), 212–229. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.2004.00215.x

11.

Hsieh

Shannon

(2005). Three approaches to qualitative content analysis. Qualitative Health Research, 15(9), 1277–1288. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732305276687

12.

Johnson

Joshi

(2016). Dark clouds or silver linings? A stigma threat perspective on the implications of an autism diagnosis for workplace well-being. Journal of Applied Psychology, 101(3), 430–449. https://doi.org/10.1037/apl0000058

13.

LaRue

R. H.

Maraventano

J. C.

Budge

J. L.

Frischmann

(2019). Matching vocational aptitude and employment choice for adolescents and adults with ASD. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 13(3), 618–630. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-019-00398-7

14.

Laugeson

Gantman

Kapp

Orenski

Ellingsen

(2015). A randomized controlled trial to improve social skills in young adults with autism spectrum disorder: The UCLA PEERS® Program. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(12), 3978–3989. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2504-8

15.

Lerman

White

Grob

Laudont

(2017). A clinic-based assessment for evaluating job-related social skills in adolescents and adults with autism. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 10(4), 323–336. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-017-0177-9

16.

Maenner

Shaw

Bakian

Bilder

Durkin

Esler

Furnier

Hallas

Hall-Lande

Hudson

Hughes

Patrick

Pierce

Poynter

Salinas

Shenouda

Vehorn

Warren

Constantino

. . .Cogswell

(2021). Prevalence and characteristics of autism spectrum disorder among children aged 8 years—Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 11 Sites, United States, 2018. MMWR Surveillance Summaries, 70(11), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.ss7011a1

17.

Mandy

(2019). Social camouflaging in autism: Is it time to lose the mask? Autism, 23(8), 1879–1881. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361319878559

18.

Migliore

Butterworth

Zalewska

(2014). Trends in vocational rehabilitation services and outcomes of youth with autism: 2006-2010. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 57(2), 80–89. https://doi.org/10.1177/0034355213493930

19.

Migliore

Timmons

Butterworth

Lugas

(2012). Predictors of employment and postsecondary education of youth with autism. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 55(3), 176–184. https://doi.org/10.1177/0034355212438943

20.

Müller

Schuler

Burton

Yates

(2003). Meeting the vocational support needs of individuals with Asperger Syndrome and other autism spectrum disabilities. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 18(3), 163–175.

21.

Murza

K. A.

(2016). Vocational rehabilitation counselors’ experiences with clients diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder: Results of a national survey. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 45(3), 301–313. https://doi.org/10.3233/JVR-160831

22.

Nguyen

Jack

Ketelaar

Di Rezze

Soper

Gorter

(2020). Understanding the essential components and experiences of youth with autism spectrum disorders in peer mentorship programmes during the transition to adulthood: A qualitative meta-ethnography. Child Care, Health and Development, 46(6), 667–681. https://doi.org/10.1111/cch.12804

23.

Nicholas

Attridge

Zwaigenbaum

Clarke

(2015). Vocational support approaches in autism spectrum disorder: A synthesis review of the literature. Autism, 19(2), 235–245. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361313516548

24.

Ohan

Ellefson

Corrigan

(2015). Brief report: The impact of changing from DSM-IV “Asperger’s” to DSM-5 “Autistic Spectrum Disorder” diagnostic labels on stigma and treatment attitudes. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(10), 3384–3389. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2485-7

25.

Ohl

Sheff

Little

Nguyen

Paskor

Zanjirian

(2017). Predictors of employment status among adults with autism spectrum disorder. Work, 56(2), 345–355. https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-172492

26.

Radey

Wilkins

(2011). Short-term employment services for homeless individuals: Perceptions from stakeholders in a community partnership. Journal of Social Service Research, 37(1), 19–33. https://doi.org/10.1080/01488376.2011.524513

27.

Rashid

Hodgetts

Nicholas

(2017). Building employer capacity to support meaningful employment for persons with developmental disabilities: A grounded theory study of employment support perspectives. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 47(11), 3510–3519. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-017-3267-1

28.

Roux

Rast

Shattuck

(2018). State-level variation in vocational rehabilitation service use and related outcomes among transition-age youth on the autism spectrum. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50(7), 2449–2461. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-018-3793-5

29.

Roux

Shattuck

Cooper

Anderson

Wagner

Narendorf

(2013). Postsecondary employment experiences among young adults with an autism spectrum disorder RH: Employment in young adults with autism. Journal of American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 52(9), 931–939. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2013.05.019

30.

Sansoti

Merchant

Koch

Rumrill

Herrera

(2017). Providing supportive transition services to individuals with autism spectrum disorder: Considerations for vocational rehabilitation professionals. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 47(2), 207–222. https://doi.org/10.3233/JVR-170896

31.

Schaller

Yang

(2005). Competitive employment for people with autism: Correlates of successful closure in competitive and supported employment. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 49(1), 4–16. https://doi.org/10.1177/00343552050490010201

32.

Scott

Milbourn

Falkner

Black

Bolte

Halladay

Lerner

Lounds Taylor

Girdler

(2019). Factors impacting employment for people with autism spectrum disorder: A scoping review. Autism, 23(4), 869–901. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361318787789

33.

Shattuck

Carter Narendorf

Cooper

Sterzing

Wagner

Lounds Taylor

(2012). Postsecondary education and employment among youth with an autism spectrum disorder. Pediatrics (Evanston), 129(6), 1042–1049. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2011-2864

34.

Taylor

Seltzer

(2011). Employment and post-secondary educational activities for young adults with autism spectrum disorders during the transition to adulthood. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 41(5), 566–574. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-010-1070-3

35.

Teindl

Thompson-Hodgetts

Rashid

Nicholas

(2018). Does visibility of disability influence employment opportunities and outcomes? A thematic analysis of multi-stakeholder perspectives. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 49(3), 367–377. https://doi.org/10.3233/JVR-180980

36.

United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2021). Labor force statistics from the current population survey. https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LNS14000000

37.

Vocational Rehabilitation. (2019). Vocational rehabilitation services. https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/vocational-rehabilitation-services

38.

Wilczynski

Trammell

Clarke

(2013). Improving employment outcomes among adolescents and adults on the autism spectrum. Psychology in the Schools, 50(9), 876–887. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.21718