Toggle Main Menu Toggle Search

Open Access padlockePrints

Research needs and priorities for transition and employment in autism: Considerations reflected in a “Special Interest Group” at the International Meeting for Autism Research

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Jeremy Parr

Downloads

Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.


Abstract

© 2016 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Research related to supports for adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is under-developed. As an example, system and service development to support successful transition to adulthood and meaningful vocation for adults has received relatively little research scrutiny until recently, with practitioners and program developers lacking evidenceinformed approaches guiding service delivery. A Special Interest Group (SIG) was convened at the International Meeting for Autism Research in May 2014 and May 2015, with a focus on transitional and vocational issues in ASD. The SIG consisted of 120 international delegates, including self-advocates, family members, researchers, program and policy developers, practitioners, and interdisciplinary ASD trainees. Following a summary of the literature, subgroups of attendees were convened in smaller groups to identify research needs and priorities. International researchers facilitated these discussions with notes taken in each subgroup. Using a qualitative analytic approach, key themes across groups were identified. These key themes, outlined in this paper, address the identified need to (a) advance research capacity; (b) build employer capacity relative to employing persons with ASD; and (c) enhance support resources for adults with ASD and their families. Heightened research activity guiding practice and policy, community/employer engagement, and person and family-centered services were recommended. Implications for advancement and implementation are offered. Autism Res 2017, 10: 15–24. © 2016 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Nicholas DB, Hodgetts S, Zwaigenbaum L, Smith LE, Shattuck P, Parr JR, Conlon O, Germani T, Mitchell W, Sacrey L, Stothers ME

Publication type: Note

Publication status: Published

Journal: Autism Research

Year: 2017

Volume: 10

Issue: 1

Pages: 15-24

Print publication date: 01/01/2017

Online publication date: 17/10/2016

Acceptance date: 04/07/2016

ISSN (print): 1939-3792

ISSN (electronic): 1939-3806

Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Inc.

URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.1683

DOI: 10.1002/aur.1683


Share