Thank you, Amanda, for highlighting this important topic and my fact sheet. I also appreciate all the comments from other readers - there is certainly MUCH work to be done, but also some exciting new developments happening in the relationship between the disability employment community (including Voc Rehab), the autism community, and the business community.
The fact sheet on autism employment, cited in the article, can be found at http://dps.missouri.edu/Autism/AutismFactSheet2011.pdf
Details about our Autism Works National Conference can be found at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Autism-Works/136057253090452?sk=app_4949752878
Thanks again for helping us build better career opportunities for adults with autism.
Scott Standiferof MO5:51PM October 30, 2011
This article is so very true. My son is a young man with aspergers - he had much difficulty finding a job. What he did find were jobs much below his ability level.
A job opportuity in a local school became a reality, and he has done well. A school can be a structured and predictable workplace. You don't have to be a teacher - there are other opportunities
An understanding supervisor can be a strong asset, and schools also offer medical benefits. Perhaps employment in this setting can be expanded for persons with autism?? I think this could be a nice avenue of potential employment for schools to persue expanding. It's like taking ownership and social responsibility for the persons they helped to shape.
Carol of NY10:16AM October 30, 2011
Anne, you are NOT HELPING!!! And neither is this article, because of one particular quote;
"We forget how important social relationships are in maintaining employment."
But NOT ESSENTIAL! Adults at the higher end of the Spectrum have real qualities that are useful in the work place, so it's the work place that has to change to fit these people in and make use of the skills they have. Curing Autism or any other Spectrum condition should be left where it belongs - in the dark ages because it's NOT POSSIBLE! Society has to adjust, and people like those who commented before me are fermenting panic without realising that they are not part of the solution. They are part of the problem.
Autism needs to be treated with respect. Contempt will only increase the issues and stimy real action to help the adults who will be hitting the system soon. And that help must come in the form of proper employment that provides the structures that will enable the Autistic to function to the correct level and be an asset to an employer. It's possible - and in fact it should be mandatory for all forms of employment except that where interaction with the general public is inherent in the job (ie sales, hospitality etc).
Annoyed12:34AM October 29, 2011
To say there are more underemployed with autism than not --is a ridiculous understatement. Ninety percent(at least) of those with autism do not have a job. The epidemic is so bad that when a half a million children reach adulthood in this country in a couple of years, you and I, the taxpayers, will be supporting them for a lifetime. While so many families with chidlren with autism have been warning everyone that we need to end this epidemic for years--it is basically still in the Stone Age. Not enough services, not enough housing, too many sick children with autism. Ms. Gardner is 2 decades too late and millions of dollars short.
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Scott Standifer of MO 5:51PM October 30, 2011
Carol of NY 10:16AM October 30, 2011
Annoyed 12:34AM October 29, 2011
Maurine Meleck of SC 6:44PM October 28, 2011