There’s a Light at the End of the Tunnel: Transitioning Adults with Autism into Employment...

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 Vocatio

n

Lack of Stability

Poor Self Discipline

Not Dependable

Low Productivity

Poor Communication

Lack of Leadership

Inconsistent

Path to a Vocatio

n

Dependability

Consistency

Stability

Responsibility

Productivity

Good Communication

Leadership

Foundational Work Skills

Employment Training Model

Purpose: Skill Development

Build Autonomy

Increase Competence

Dependability ConsistencyStability (Emotional)Responsibility Productivity CommunicationLeadership

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)• 10-25 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?