Achieving Job Success for Young Adults with Autism

Jun 10, 2021

In today’s blog, we are going to talk about a couple ways to help lay the foundation for young people on the spectrum to overcome potential challenges to obtaining gainful employment. Jobs can teach young people valuable life skills, such as responsibility and independence, and can also help develop a sense of pride in themselves and their work. Getting your first job and learning these values is a major milestone on the path to adulthood, and all young people should have an equal opportunity to achieve these benefits. Unfortunately, teenagers and adolescents on the autism spectrum often have to face unique challenges when going through the employment process, and they don’t always get the necessary support in order to succeed.

The most effective approach is to teach your child soft skills, such as communication, adaptability, and problem-solving, early in life. These skills will in turn create the base for teaching pre-employment skills that will develop into self-advocacy, so the individual can search for and obtain employment. Another important part of the job search that you can work on with your child is the interview process. By going through mock interviews with your child, you can help prepare them for some questions they may get asked, and improve their overall readiness, both for the interview and for the job they may be applying to get. Additionally, vocational training and job coaches can be a good option for teaching those important skills needed to achieve success both in obtaining a job and in succeeding in the job.

Thanks for reading, I hope you found this blog informative and enjoyable! Don’t forget to follow us on social media, and stay updated on the latest blogs for more information on autism-related topics. Have a great day!