Increasing Positive Employment Outcomes for Youth on the Autism Spectrum

Although they can be exceptional employees, the unemployment rates for young people on the autism spectrum are higher than unemployment for their peers. In fact, their employment outcomes are lower even than their peers with other disabilities. One contributing factor is that 1 in 4 young adults on the autism spectrum receive no services to help them become employed, continue their education, or live more independently during their first few years after leaving high school.

It is estimated that there are more than one million transition age youth on the autism spectrum.

Source: Mathematica

Understanding Autism and Employment

Mathematica – in partnership to the Office of Disability Employment Policy – is conducting research to explore the specific reasons for this disparity. Using their findings, they plan to identify foundations for evidence-based practices that could reverse the trend of un- and underemployment for young people with autism.

Mathematica’s research plan will use literature reviews and listening sessions to help clarify existing issues. They will evaluate current practices and weed out policies are outdated or inappropriate. Finally, they will design ways to evaluate interventions to inform future evidence-building activities.

This research can help VR professionals better understand some of the underlying reasons for lower employment rates, and identify strategies they can use to better serve their consumers.