Journal Article

Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum and Early Employment-Related Experiences: Aspirations and Obstacles

Butt, Catherine, Anderson, Connie, Sarsony, Clare

2021

Overview

In the United States, employment outcomes for young adults with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are poor, with many unemployed, underemployed, or otherwise unable to achieve their potential regardless of cognitive ability. To explore employment expectations and experiences, qualitative interviews were conducted with 12 young adults with ASD and 28 parents. Transcripts were analyzed using the constant comparative method associated with a grounded theory approach. Three major themes emerged: Employment Aspirations and Potential , Challenges of Job Finding and Keeping , and Differing Parent and Young Adult Work-Related Roles and Views . Issues discussed include the need to foster meaningful pre-employment opportunities, acknowledge the role of families in employment issues, provide ASD-focused workplace support, and effectively coordinate intersecting systems (e.g., schools, agencies, employers).

• Publisher: Springer US,Springer,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Academic achievement / Achievement / Adults / Agency Cooperation / Aspiration / Aspirations, Psychological / Autism / Autism Spectrum Disorder - epidemiology / Autism Spectrum Disorder - psychology / Autism Spectrum Disorders / Barriers / Behavioral Science and Psychology / Child and School Psychology / Cognitive ability / Cognitive functioning / College Science / Daily Living Skills / Day Programs / Departments / Developmental Disabilities / Employability / Employers / Employment / Employment - psychology / Employment Experience / Employment opportunities / Employment Potential / Expectation / Family Role / Family roles / Female / Grounded theory / Health aspects / High School Students / Humans / Interpersonal Competence / Job opportunities / Labor Force Development / Male / Middle Aged / Neurosciences / Occupational Aspiration / Occupational roles / Original Paper / Parent Attitudes / Parents & parenting / Parents - psychology / Pediatrics / Pervasive Developmental Disorders / Psychological aspects / Psychology / Public Health / Qualitative research / Sheltered Workshops / Social aspects / Student Participation / Students with Disabilities / Supported Employment / Technical Assistance / Teenagers / Unemployed people / United States - epidemiology / Vocational Rehabilitation / Wages / Work / Work experience / Workplace - psychology / Workplaces / Young Adult / Young Adults / Youth Employment