CONNECTING THE DOTSA THREEFOLD APPROACH TO ADDRESSING UNDER EMPLOYMENT IN INDIVIDUALS

WITH ASD

CONTEXT

• Approximately every 20 minutes someone is diagnosed with ASD.

• It is estimated that 200,000 individuals with ASD will turn 21 or 22 over the

next five years, the age when education services and support stop.

• It is estimated that there will be a 300% increase in the number of young

adults with ASD needing vocational training services by 2020, with continued

increases thereafter as these young adults continue to “age out” of the

education system

• In California, over 90% of individuals with ASD are unemployed or underemployed,

and just 6% of young adults with ASD have any form of competitive employment.

• Only 53% of young adults with autism have ever worked for pay since leaving high

school, earning an average of $8.10 per hour, significantly lower rates and wages

than those with other disabilities.

• The economic shift in the US to more service sector jobs has contributed to the

problem. They require lots of social interaction and are the types of jobs people

with autism tend to have difficulty succeeding in.

• Adults with ASD cost taxpayers nearly $200 billion per year.

• It is estimated that over the next 6 years there will be a 78% increase in the demand

for adult services as children with ASD reach adulthood and age out of the

education system.

DEFINING THE DOTS

Individualized

training and

support Practical

opportunities/

experiences

Employer

connections

Jobs

Volunteering

Ongoing

support/

mentoring

Apprenticeships

Social/

Micro

Enterprises

THE INDIVIDUAL

• Identifying strengths and skills

• Developing strategies and resilience

• Developing essential “soft skills”

• Time management

• Organizational skills

• Communication

• Problem Solving

• Creativity and adaptability

• Strong work ethic

• Positive attitude/ self confidence

KNOWING THE STARTING POINT

• Assessments

• Identifying Interests and Career mapping

• Work Preferences (social, environmental, etc.)

• Support Needs

DEVELOPING SKILLS

•Technical skills

•Workplace skills

•Understanding the “hidden curriculum” and teaching

what can’t be taught

TECHNICAL SKILLS

•Pre-apprenticeship model

•Accessing specific college courses/ training

•On the job training and apprenticeships

Individualized

training

Apprenticeships

WORK SKILLS CURRICULUM

•Stage 1 – Self Awareness and Exploration

•Stage 2 – Self Management

•Stage 3 – Nuts and Bolts of Employment

HOW DO WE TEACH WHAT CAN’T BE TAUGHT?

ADAPTABILITY AND RESILIENCE

• Experiencing change and

failure

• Reading and adapting to

situations

• Turning challenges into

successes

LEARNING THROUGH DOING – PRACTICAL OPPORTUNITIES

Social

Enterprises

Volunteering

Practical

work

WORKING WITH EMPLOYERS

• Getting in the door

• Maintaining relationships

• Awareness Raising

• Employer Training

FIRST IMPRESSIONS, GETTING IN THE DOOR

• Addressing employer concerns

• Clarifying assumptions

• Getting the employer to meet the individual, not a stereotype

or label

• Addressing employer and workforce need

*Preparation is key to success because if the

first meetings go badly, there is not a second

chance to make a first impression…..

MAINTAINING RELATIONSHIPS

• Open Communication

• Ongoing support

• Seeking feedback

• Celebrating successes

TRAINING AND AWARENESS RAISING

• Challenging misconceptions

• What’s in it for them?

• Whole organizational approach

• Strategies and ways to support employees

• Facts

SUSTAINING SUCCESS

• Peer Mentoring

• Job Coaching

• Colleague Mentoring

• Job Clubs

CONNECTING THE DOTS

Individualized

training and

support Practical

opportunities/

experiences

Employer

connections

Jobs

Volunteering

Ongoing

support/

mentoring

Apprenticeships

Social/

Micro

Enterprises

MERISTEM’S NEXT STEPS

• Developing Apprenticeships

• Job Fairs

• Employer Trainings and Train the trainer

model

• Developing Self Advocacy Training

MERISTEM

• Meristem is a three year transitional program for young adults who

have learning differences including autistic spectrum disorder.

• Located on a beautiful 13 acre campus near Sacramento, Meristem

offers a diverse curriculum including land, traditional practical arts,

independent living skills and work skills, which provides opportunities for

students to develop their confidence, awareness, adaptability and

resilience through making and doing.

For more information visit:

www.meristem.pro

facebook.com/meristem.pro

instagram.com/gomeristem