Rehabilitation Services for Young Adults with ASD

Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and their families face many obstacles when they conclude their secondary education. Pilot programs to support the development of life skills for young adults with autism, aiming to improve job outcomes and postsecondary educational prospects, have been increasing to meet the demand for support. Despite an increase in empirically based reports on pilot programs, data show significant differences in the efficacy of existing pilot programs, even when empirically supported methods are applied to program-ming. To understand how to best utilize existing data to improve outcomes for young adults with ASD transitioning into university and the workforce, a critical review of existing pilot programs is provided. A call is made for the continuous dissemination of data regarding the efficacy of pilot programs as they continue to adjust methods based on available data, as is a call for more data on the effect of community partnerships between pilot programs and employers and universities.

Automated summary

Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and their families face challenges after completing secondary education. Pilot programs aimed at improving job outcomes and postsecondary educational prospects for young adults with ASD have increased. However, there are significant differences in the effectiveness of these programs. A critical review of existing pilot programs is necessary to improve outcomes for ASD young adults transitioning into university and the workforce, and to explore the impact of community partnerships.