Supported employment

From Autism Transition Handbook

Supported employment provides individuals with autism the opportunity to work in competitive jobs alongside neurotypical individuals.  In this type of employment the person receives ongoing support services while on the job, which may be modified over time as the person becomes more accustomed to the demands of the job. Examples of work environments allowing this type of support often include universities, hotels, restaurants, office buildings, or small businesses. There are generally four traditional models of supported employment that may be available for individuals with ASDIncluding:

Individual Placement Model A job coach provides intensive one: one on-site job training and support which is faded as the person becomes more accustomed to the job or more natural supports (e.g., a co-worker acting as a coach) are developed.  This model tends to be implemented with more able and less resource intensive individuals. 

Clustered Placement or Enclave Model A job coach supports between 2-6 individuals with ASD in a common community setting. Support is provided throughout the tenure of employment, but may be faded over time. In this model individuals may either be clustered within a single area or dispersed throughout the environment.  This model has been criticized as being a “private sector sheltered workshop”, and in some situations and for some individuals may be less ideal than the individual placement model. 

Mobile Work Crew In this model, a small group of individuals provide an agreed upon type of contracted services under supervision, such as custodial work or recycling services. 

Entrepreneurial Supports In this situation, a new business is created around the skills and interests of a very limited number of individuals.  The particular skills and interests are used to form a corporation that can generate sufficient income to support the individual/ additional staff members. Often, a Board is formed for this new organization that consists of family members, support personnel, community members, and, ideally, at least one member with experience running a for-profit business. Particular obstacles in this model often include high start-up costs, and no guarantee of future income/profitability. Consequently investments might not be recouped and there is no guarantee of long-term support for the individual with ASD.   

It should be noted that many programs (and some innovative businesses) use a combination of these models to promote the employment of adults with ASD.

Supported employment, in whatever form it takes, can be funded through state developmental disabilities or vocational rehabilitation agencies, but families will have to advocate strongly that: (1) supported employment, by definition and statute, is intended for people with severe disabilities; and (2) individuals with ASD can, in fact, work if given the proper support, training, and attention to job match characteristics.