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Vocational Rehabilitation Service Patterns and Outcomes for Individuals with Autism of Different Ages

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Abstract

Young adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often experience employment difficulties. Using Rehabilitation Service Administration data (RSA-911), this study investigated the service patterns and factors related to the employment outcomes of individuals with ASD in different age groups. Hierarchical logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the effects of demographic and vocational rehabilitation (VR) service variables on employment outcomes in each age group. The results show that transition youth made up the largest portion of VR service users among the ASD population, yet they have the worst employment outcomes across all age groups. Factors that are significantly associated with increased odds for employment in each age group were identified. Implications from systemic, practical, and research perspectives are also provided.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Office of Rehabilitation and Disability Studies, Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Special Education, Michigan State University, 620 Farm Lane, Room 460, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA

    June L. Chen, Connie Sung & Sukyeong Pi

  2. MSU-DOCTRID (Michigan State University – Daughters Of Charity – Technology, Research Into Disability) Research Institute, Hegarty Fellow Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA

    June L. Chen & Connie Sung

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  1. June L. Chen
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  2. Connie Sung
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  3. Sukyeong Pi
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Correspondence to Connie Sung.

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Chen, J.L., Sung, C. & Pi, S. Vocational Rehabilitation Service Patterns and Outcomes for Individuals with Autism of Different Ages. J Autism Dev Disord 45, 3015–3029 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2465-y

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