Date Presented 04/05/19
For transition-age young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), employment represents a key component of participation. This presentation will report preliminary outcomes of a study using the SDCDM. We found that the SDCDM can have a positive impact on the career development of young adults with ASD. Specifically, participants saw gains in goal attainment, which moved them closer to their long-term employment goals.
Primary Author and Speaker: Evan Dean
PURPOSE: For transition-aged young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), employment represents a key component of participation. Yet, while many young adults with ASD want to work, employment outcomes remain poor (Roux et al., 2015). Primary predictors of employment for young adults include participation in household chores, parental expectation of employment, and prior history with employment (Carter et al, 2012; Shogren et al. (2015). Additionally, self-determination has been shown to be critical to employment outcomes. The Self-Determined Career Development Model (SDCDM) is an evidence-based intervention designed to promote self-determination in an employment context (Wehmeyer et al., 2003). The SDCDM is an individualized process that supports a job seeker to set and obtain an employment-related goal. The process is designed to be used repeatedly, so participants can set and work toward multiple goals. This presentation will report preliminary outcomes of a study using the SDCDM. This presentation will focus on two research questions: (1) what are the self-determination, employment, and goal-attainment outcomes of using the SDCDM with young adults with ASD? and (2) how do the employment-related goals set by young-adults with ASD differ based on age and employment experience? Answering these questions will help understand the efficacy of the SDCDM when implemented with young adults with ASD. Additionally, this study will help us understand the nature of the goals set by young adults with ASD, which will help research better target intervention to meet the needs of this population.
DESIGN: This study used a quasi-experimental design to measure the effects of the SDCDM on young adults with ASD.
METHOD: Twenty-one participants, ages 16-25 (mean 19.5) enrolled in the study. Study duration for participants ranged from one to four months. We used Wilcoxon signed-rank tests to evaluate the differences in participants before and after the intervention. To answer research question 2, we analyzed specific goals set by participants using content analysis to look for commonalities among goals.
RESULTS: Preliminary results indicate significant gains in goal attainment (z=-3.1, p=.002). Occupational performance as measured by the COPM neared significance (z=-1.913; p=.06). Significant gains in employment or self-determination were not found. Main goals included employment development and time-management.
CONCLUSION: This study shows that the SDCDM can have a positive impact on young adults with ASD. Specifically, participants saw gains in occupational performance and goal attainment, indicating that the young adults moved closer to their long-term employment goals. However, while participants have progressed in achieving career development goals, there has been more limited achievement of full-time employment. A novel aspect of this study is analyzing the goals that were set by participants. This analysis sheds light on the goals that are important to young adults with ASD.
IMPACT STATEMENT: Occupational therapists can support employment outcomes for young adults with asd by promoting self-determination and career development.
References
Shogren, K. A., Wehmeyer, M. L., Palmer, S. B., Rifenbark, G. G., & Little, T. D. (2015). Relationships between self-determination and postschool outcomes for youth with disabilities. The Journal of Special Education, 48(4), 256-267.
Carter EW, Austin D, Trainor AA. (2012). Predictors of postschool employment outcomes for young adults with severe disabilities. Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 23(1), 50-63.
Roux AM, Shattuck PT, Rast JE, Rava JA, Anderson KA. (2015). National Autism indicators report: Transition into young adulthood. Life course outcomes research program AJ Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA.
Wehmeyer ML, Lattimore J, Jorgensen JD, Palmer SB, Thompson E, Schumaker KM. (2003). The self-determined career development model: A pilot study. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 19(2), 79-87.
