Autism Career Options

Pre-Employment Transition Services for Autistic Youth: What Works?

Once an individual on the spectrum finds just the right crew, they may very well wind up being the glue that holds it together (I actually had a boss in the past year describe me as such, and that was definitely a good day on my end). –Grady Bolding

5 Strategies for Employers to Help Autistic Employees Thrive in the Workplace

A neurodiverse friend of mine who works at Trader Joe's has found that the support of her co-workers and managers has allowed her to truly thrive in her job as a cashier.

How the Growth Mindset and Multiple Intelligence Theories Can Help Autistic Students Grow

People have always viewed intelligence as a fixed inherent trait. You’re born smart, or average, or you’re doomed to a failed life. Not only that but we use it as a measurable trait to be compared with others. Intelligence is often used in conjunction with academic ability. But

What Works? Evidence-Based Transition Services

As autistic students transition from adolescence to adulthood, it is important that the transition services they access are evidence-based. Researchers have carefully reviewed and devised recommendations for services demonstrating the most effectiveness for helping autistic stud

Job Coaching, Supported and Integrated Employment for Autistic Students

What Does the Law Require? Autistic students have the opportunity to continue their education through age 21. This is guaranteed by federal law. Schools and Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) staff should provide job experiences for students and later should have concrete data to he

How to Create Effective Transition Service IEPs for Students with Autism

A Guide for Schools on the IDEA and Rehabilitation Act Requirements Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), children with autism spectrum disorders are eligible to receive an individualized education plan (IEP) throughout their education from 3 to 21 years

A Deeper Dive: What Post-Secondary Employment and Services are Available for Students With Autism?

A growing number of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are attending college after they graduate from high school. However, unfortunately, a high number of these students also leave college without graduating, usually because they do not have the necessary support in p

Overview of Transition Services: What Resources and Supports are Available for Students With Autism?

What are transition services? The societal transition from childhood to adulthood is full of stressful events for most children, including deciding between college and work, picking a college or vocation, and graduating from high school. For children with ASD, these transition m

Autism in the Workplace: Advice From the Trenches

Autism in the workplace can have its share of rewards and pitfalls. As with anyone else, one on the spectrum has a lot to navigate when trying to find the right job fit. For some, the learning process may be pretty daunting.

Benefits of Online College for Students With Autism

8 Reasons to Consider Distance Learning a nd 8 Great College Choices for Those on the Spectrum

What Is the IBCCES?

The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) leads the way in professional training and continuing education for autism Continuing education and professional training are two crucial components necessary for remaining up-to-date on the bes

Autism and the Transition to Adulthood (Part 2)

Building Social Skills and Maintaining Relationships (This article is part 2 of a 2-part series. Check out part 1 on helping young people with autism build a career and develop independent living skills! ) While emphasis is often placed on awareness of the signs and symptoms of

A Former Job Coach Shares Her Experience Working With Autistic Children

What Is a Job Coach? A job coach can provide guidance and initial support for a child when they begin to reach that transitional age and think about getting a job. Entering the workforce can be an intimidating yet exciting new prospect for anyone. For children with ASD, taking s

Autism and the Transition to Adulthood (Part 1)

Helping Young People With Autism Build a Career and Develop Independent Living Skills (This article is part 1 of a 2-part series. Check out part 2 on building social skills and maintaining relationships! ) As young adults on the autism spectrum transition to adulthood, they may

So You Want to Be a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP)?

Everything You Need to Know About Starting a Career as an SLP There is a growing need for SLPs in the U.S. SLPs work in a variety of settings including private practice, public and private schools, hospitals, specialist offices, and nursing and residential care facilities. New o

Is College Right for My Autistic Child?

How can a family best take advantage of available resources and avoid obstacles, to plot a successful post-high-school experience for an autistic child? As Steven Covey wrote in The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People , “Begin with the end in mind.”

Follow Your Passion: 5 Steps to Finding the Best Career Match for a Young Autistic Adult

1. Follow Your Passion I love flying! All my life I have been interested in anything aviation-related: airports, travel, planes.

Top Work Places Supporting Autistic Adults

Autistic individuals too often have been underrepresented and discriminated against in employment. A 2017 report from Drexel University found that only 14 percent of autistic adults held paid jobs in their communities. Another study found that employment rates for autistic indiv

Young Adulthood on the Spectrum: An Interview with a Friend

New Program Prepares Teens with Autism to Serve in the Israel Defense Forces

Although almost seven thousand miles away, Leora Sali’s tone of determination resonated her passion for her work. She agreed to speak with me about the program she co-manages in Israel, Roim Rachok. “For the first time, he called his grandmother and planned a visit on his own. T

Work Environments, Adjustments for Autistic Employees

Advice for entering the job world It is common knowledge that people with disabilities tend to experience higher rates of unemployment and underemployment. Many employers seem to be unwilling to give disabled individuals a chance when they feel that their company’s success is at

A New Education: Teaching Coding to Students with Autism

Although many students with autism possess incredible talents and abilities, especially related to spatial reasoning, only about 10 to 20 percent of adults with autism are employed (Born, 2011; Kavilanz, 2016). Providing code education to students with autism is not only critica

Transition: A Guide to College Readiness and Applications for Students with Autism

Tips and Strategies for Transitioning to College with Autism Of the roughly 50,000 young Americans with autism who graduate from high school each year, less than 7,000 end up with a college degree (Wei et al 2015). This discouraging statistic has given rise to countless transiti

Career Choices for Autistic People: First Hand Advice

Finding a Job That Matches Your Skills Many people struggle with finding a job and establishing a career for themselves. In addition, there are often multiple applicants for only one job vacancy, which can be discouraging to any jobseeker. However, for autistic people, this sear

3 Ways to Build Skills for Transition Now!

Planning for a young adult with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) or other special needs to transition from special education to adult services can be overwhelming for children and their parents alike! Many parents are so intimidated by the transition process that they refuse to t