Supported Employment and Autism Ranking:

Key Features

Definitions

There are a number of definitions of supported employment. For example, according to O’Bryan et al (2000),

"Supported employment agencies inevitably vary in their approach (and in the extent to which they are able to put the ideals of supported employment into practice) but typically offer a combination of:

• Helping people identify their skills and preferences through the development of a vocational profile
• Job development to find the person's preferred job through contact with employers
• Job analysis to find out more about the workplace, co-workers, and the support the individual might need in that environment;
• Job support to ensure that both the employee and employer receive 'just enough' creative assistance, information and back-up to achieve success, with this support continuing as long as it is needed
• Career support to help people think in the longer term about career progression."

Key Elements

Whichever definition is used, comprehensive supported employment packages normally contain a range of elements. For example

According to Wehman and Kregel (1998)

“Supported competitive employment, also known as the supported work model of competitive employment, has five key features: (a) job development, or locating appropriate jobs; (b) job placement, or the appropriate matching of the person to the job; (c) job-site training, which involves on-site skill training by the staff person assigned to the new worker; (d) assessment, which is an ongoing process to determine how the new worker is performing; and (e) job retention, which involves advocacy and procedures to ensure long-term job maintenance.”

According to García-Villamisar and Hughes (2007),

'Within each supported employment programme, there is an emphasis on using individual strengths and interests, identifying appropriate jobs and settings, applying structured teaching techniques, collaborating with families, caregivers and employers, providing necessary long-term support services, and ensuring the appropriate 'fit' so that the employee, employer and family/caregiver are all satisfied.'

Models

There are various models of autism-specific supported employment programmes. For example, according to the TEACCH Autism Program website, accessed on 17 February 2017, the TEACCH Autism Program provides four different models of supported employment.

“In an effort to provide each individual with ASD the greatest chance of obtaining and maintaining successful, competitive employment, the TEACCH Supported Employment Program has developed four models of support: One-to-One Placement, Mobile Crew, Group Shared Support Site, and Standard Placement. 

“Each of these models incorporates the use of a "job coach," a trained professional, employed by TEACCH, who provides on-going support for the individual or individuals with ASD. The job coach follows the TEACCH philosophy to implement intervention strategies to teach the individual with ASD the necessary vocational and social skills required in the employment setting. Job Coaches also educate coworkers and supervisors about ASD, and act as liaisons between the individuals with ASD and their employers. These four distinct, yet similar models of support are seen in a wide array of vocational settings. Supported Employment has placed people with ASD in areas such as Manufacturing, Food Service, Office or Clerical, Landscaping, Grocery or Warehouse, Libraries, and Janitorial Services.”

Updated

17 Jun 2022

Last Review

01 Aug 2017

Next Review

01 Oct 2023