It’s important that young people on the spectrum understand their strengths and challenges to achieve their goals. It’s also important that they are able to describe how autism affects their style of learning and interactions with others. Self awareness about autism can help young people ask for appropriate clarifications or supports, for example, “I’m sorry, but I have language issues. Would you please speak more slowly?” At the same time, this self awareness shouldn’t be used to excuse negligence or inappropriate behavior because “I have autism.”
Effective self-advocacy is often tied to decisions about when and how to disclose an autism diagnosis. It may be necessary to disclose autism in order to explain why an accommodation is needed or helpful.
Developing self-advocacy and disclosure skills requires direct instruction. Areas of instruction provided by Spectrum Connections may include:
Identifying realistic job goals is a challenge for young adults on the spectrum. Many may be hired, especially when labor markets are tight, but they often struggle with keeping jobs long term because the job turns out to be a poor match for their skills.
Spectrum Connections works with young adults to help them prepare for a realistic job search. Areas of service include:
Interviews play a key role in getting a job. They can also be a major hurdle for job seekers on the spectrum who aren’t skilled at reading social cues or thinking flexibly when responding to hypothetical questions. Early research concludes that direct instruction in the social mechanics of job interviews can improve the interview performance of job seekers on the spectrum and, in turn, their likelihood of getting a job.
Spectrum Connections offers an Interview Intensive Training designed to help job seekers on the spectrum learn and use the key skills they need to make a positive impression on potential employers.
The Interview Intensive Training consists of 4 - 5 interview skill learning sessions which focus instruction on customized learning goals, such as projecting confidence; engaging in reciprocal conversation; and maintaining appropriate eye contact with an interviewer. Participants then participate in 2 to 4 mock interviews with business professionals. Pre- and post-training assessments are used to measure participant interview skill development as a result of the program.
Public awareness of autism has dramatically increased in recent years. More needs to be done to build a deeper understanding of the infinite variations of autism and how individuals on the spectrum can be an important part of the community.
Spectrum connections offers two e-learning strands for employers and community organizations wanting to build their understanding of autism.
INTRODUCTORY STRAND
INTERMEDIATE STRAND