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Employment and Vocational Skills for Individuals with Autism

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Handbook of Quality of Life for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

The ability to obtain and maintain employment represents a critical developmental step in the lives of most people. While gainful employment provides us with the means to live independently, there are benefits that extend beyond simply getting a paycheck. Employment provides us with an opportunity to develop social relationships with the people with whom we work. These interactions allow us to develop social skills, expand our social network, and feel as though we are a part of a broader community. Gainful employment can also enhance our productivity and provide people with a sense of purpose. While those of us who are “neurotypical” usually find and sustain employment without much difficulty, employment outcomes for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are generally poor. In fact, estimates indicate that approximately 50–75% of adults with ASD are unemployed (Bush & Tassé, 2017; Howlin et al., 2004). In this chapter, we explore some of the barriers that contribute to these poor outcomes and discuss strategies that can be used to overcome them. We then outline empirically supported assessment and intervention strategies that can lead to more supportive work environments, better job matching, and improved long-term outcomes.

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Correspondence to Robert H. LaRue .

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LaRue, R.H. et al. (2022). Employment and Vocational Skills for Individuals with Autism. In: Leaf, J.B., Cihon, J.H., Ferguson, J.L., Gerhardt, P.F. (eds) Handbook of Quality of Life for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism and Child Psychopathology Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-98507-3_21

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