Achieving Steady Work Among Adults With Autism Through Specialized Employment Program
Lawrence Fung
Summary
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have significantly higher levels of unemployment and underemployment compared to their typically developing peers and all other groups with neurodevelopmental disorders, even though major companies that have employed and trained young people with ASD acclaim their significant innovations in their companies. The investigators hope to examine the effects of specialized employment support programs, over current traditional vocational rehabilitation approaches, for adults with ASD on their ability to maintain steady employment and overall benefit to the organizations at which they will be employed. The investigators predict that Stanford University's Neurodiversity at Work (NaW) Program will improve employment outcomes and positively impact the overall quality of life of individuals with ASD in this program. The investigators hope that the findings of the study will lead to the advancement of programs aimed to support individuals with ASD.
Description
To date, there has been limited research examining effects of specialized employment support programs (such as Stanford's Neurodiversity at Work) for adults with ASD. Results from this study will have substantial positive impact on the field because they will significantly elevate the investigators' understanding of the factors involved in successful employment and QoL outcomes in individuals with ASD. Furthermore, understanding the trajectories of psychiatric symptoms, employment outcomes and QoL will facilitate the development of educational tools, training materials and intervention tools t…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–55 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Moderately functioning group of participants: * Males and females with ASD * Between the ages of 18-55 * No significant current psychosocial stressors per history * Able to travel to work independently * Attended either an internship program, pre-employment training, or both * Possess an IQ between 60 and 90 * High functioning group of participants: * Males and females with ASD * Between the ages of 18-55 * No significant current psychosocial stressors per history * Able to travel to work independently * Attended either an internship program, pre-…
Interventions
- BehavioralNaW
Participants will receive assistance with finding employment, onboarding, training, and so on.
- BehavioralNaW-DS
Participants will receive assistance with onboarding and training 6 months after the initiation of their employment.
Location
- Stanford University School of MedicinePalo Alto, California