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Teaching Employment Skills to People with Intellectual and Developmental Disability

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Handbook of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder

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Abstract

Equipping youth and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities with strong employment skills can help them thrive in the workforce. The purpose of this chapter is to review research-based practices in employment skills that can enhance their success in the workplace. We begin by describing the types of skills—both performance related and interpersonal—that are valued in the workplace. We then review effective instructional approaches for teaching these skills in ways that promote their acquisition, maintenance, and generalization. We detail a step-by-step approach for providing instruction and support in this area, illustrating each aspect using a case example. We conclude with recommendations for future research aimed at elevating employment outcomes for this population.

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Correspondence to Carly B. Gilson .

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Gilson, C.B., Whirley, M.L., Carter, E.W., Schutz, M.A. (2022). Teaching Employment Skills to People with Intellectual and Developmental Disability. In: Matson, J.L., Sturmey, P. (eds) Handbook of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder. Autism and Child Psychopathology Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-88538-0_69

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