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Thursday, May 7, 2009
Northwest Hall (Chicago Hilton)
11:00 AM
Background: Seventy-five percent of adults with ASD, in the USA, are unemployed. Unemployment has social, psychological, and economic consequences. Supporting adults with severe autism in employment can be a challenge due to poor communication skills, lack of social awareness, and the presence of challenging behaviors. In addition, there is little choice in job type for these individuals. Person centered planning has been found effective in decreasing challenging behaviors for adults with autism in supported living environments, this approach may also be useful in finding successful employment opportunities.
Objectives: To increase employment satisfaction, productivity, and decrease challenging behaviors for individuals with severe autism and challenging behaviors through person centered planning for employment.
Methods: Twenty-five individuals with autism attending a recycling work shop, as well as community integration personnel (CIP) were interviewed, over a period of a year, to understand employment interests and abilities. Parents and guardians were involved when possible. Incidences of aggressive, destructive, and self-injurious behaviors were recorded for each participant. The number of incidence reports of problem behaviors from 3 six month periods during the recycling work shop were compared to the number of incidence reports during three 6 month periods of person centered employment. Number of hours spent in paid employment per year was compared from the recycling workshop to person-centered employment for each individual. Paired T-tests with Bonferrini Inequality correction were performed to determine if the change was significant. Surveys regarding program satisfaction were given to individuals attending the program, families and conservators of consumers, and regional center case workers after one year of person-centered employment.
Results: Interview results were analyzed and compared for common interests and abilities. Nine micro-businesses were formed and several individuals were supported in employment at a tree farm and local major chain department store. Aggressive, destructive, and self-injurious behaviors decreased significantly when individuals were able to work in preferred employment. Number of hours spent in paid employment increased with the development of micro businesses and supported employment. Survey results were positive with regard to happiness and ability to participate in decision making.
Conclusions: A person centered approach to matching employment to interests and abilities of adults with severe autism and challenging behaviors was successful in increasing time spent in employment and decreasing challenging behaviors. A decrease in problem behaviors may have a beneficial impact on the life of the individual. Individuals in the program, their conservators, families and case workers reported a high degree of satisfaction with the program.
Objectives: To increase employment satisfaction, productivity, and decrease challenging behaviors for individuals with severe autism and challenging behaviors through person centered planning for employment.
Methods: Twenty-five individuals with autism attending a recycling work shop, as well as community integration personnel (CIP) were interviewed, over a period of a year, to understand employment interests and abilities. Parents and guardians were involved when possible. Incidences of aggressive, destructive, and self-injurious behaviors were recorded for each participant. The number of incidence reports of problem behaviors from 3 six month periods during the recycling work shop were compared to the number of incidence reports during three 6 month periods of person centered employment. Number of hours spent in paid employment per year was compared from the recycling workshop to person-centered employment for each individual. Paired T-tests with Bonferrini Inequality correction were performed to determine if the change was significant. Surveys regarding program satisfaction were given to individuals attending the program, families and conservators of consumers, and regional center case workers after one year of person-centered employment.
Results: Interview results were analyzed and compared for common interests and abilities. Nine micro-businesses were formed and several individuals were supported in employment at a tree farm and local major chain department store. Aggressive, destructive, and self-injurious behaviors decreased significantly when individuals were able to work in preferred employment. Number of hours spent in paid employment increased with the development of micro businesses and supported employment. Survey results were positive with regard to happiness and ability to participate in decision making.
Conclusions: A person centered approach to matching employment to interests and abilities of adults with severe autism and challenging behaviors was successful in increasing time spent in employment and decreasing challenging behaviors. A decrease in problem behaviors may have a beneficial impact on the life of the individual. Individuals in the program, their conservators, families and case workers reported a high degree of satisfaction with the program.