There’s a growing need for services that help young people with autism to find and keep jobs, new research indicates.
Some 50,000 people with autism spectrum disorder turn 18 years old every year in the United States, and these “transition youth”—shifting from high school to adulthood—represent the largest group seeking vocational employment services in the growing autism population.
Yet transition youth are the least likely to get jobs, says Connie Sung, an assistant professor at Michigan State University who coauthored two studies, published May 16 and June 10 on the subject in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.
“More focus should be put on the transition population with autism spectrum disorder, in addition to children and the adult population,” says Sung. “There’s a huge need for both vocational services and better coordination between the high schools and the vocational rehabilitation system to bridge the gaps.”
