Journal
AUTISM
Volume 21, Issue 3, Pages 276-290Publisher
SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD
DOI: 10.1177/1362361316635826
Keywords
applied behavior analysis; autism; autism spectrum disorder; employment; positive behavior support; Project SEARCH; transition to adulthood
Categories
Funding
- Disability and Rehabilitation Research Project (DRRP) grant from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) [H133B080027]
Ask authors/readers for more resources
The purpose of this study was to develop and investigate an employer-based 9-month intervention for high school youth with autism spectrum disorder to learn job skills and acquire employment. The intervention modified a program titled Project SEARCH and incorporated the use of applied behavior analysis to develop Project SEARCH plus Autism Spectrum Disorder Supports. A randomized clinical trial compared the implementation of Project SEARCH plus Autism Spectrum Disorder Supports with high school special education services as usual. Participants were 49 high-school-aged individuals between the ages of 18 and 21years diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder and eligible for supported employment. Students also had to demonstrate independent self-care. At 3months post-graduation, 90% of the treatment group acquired competitive, part-time employment earning US$9.53-US$10.66per hour. Furthermore, 87% of those individuals maintained employment at 12months post-graduation. The control group's employment outcomes were 6% acquiring employment by 3months post-graduation and 12% acquiring employment by 12months post-graduation. The positive employment outcomes generated by the treatment group provide evidence that youth with autism spectrum disorder can gain and maintain competitive employment. Additionally, there is evidence that they are able to advance within that time toward more weekly hours worked, while they also displayed increasing independence in the work setting.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available