connecting the dots · context •approximately every 20 minutes someone is diagnosed with asd....
TRANSCRIPT
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