Preparing Young Adults with Autism for Employment

The steps of job seeking are challenging for any candidate: preparing a polished resume; communicating with potential employers; participating in what can be a rigorous or stressful series of interviews. It is easy to imagine how challenging this process can be for a young adult with autism. Research has shown that employment rates are lower for young adults on the autism spectrum than those who are not. An American Academy of Pediatrics study from 2012 found that only 55% of young adults with autism had held a paid job during the first 6 years after completing high school.

There are foundations and organizations across the country that are actively working to change this statistic. The Atlantic reported in July that the Dan Marino Foundation is helping young adults with autism train and prepare to enter the workforce. The foundation, based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is focused on “empowering individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities.” In addition to helping students learn basic skills for the workplace and train for industry certifications, the Foundation is training young adults with the help of virtual job interviews, conducted by digital avatars on a large screen. This gives the trainees an unprecedented opportunity to practice engaging with and responding to an interviewer.

Learn more about the work of the Foundation and other programs in place to help young adults with autism navigate the workforce here. For resources that exist for young adults with autism and other special needs closer to home in Ohio, contact the caring team at Peak Potential Therapy.