Affiliations: University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA,
USA | Department of Special Education, San Francisco State
University, San Francisco, CA, USA | ASD Peer Liaison, AUTASTICS, San Francisco, CA,
USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Eve Müller, 4710 College Avenue,
College Park, MD 20740, USA. Tel.: +1 301 779 5171; E-mail:
emuller@uclink.berkeley.edu
Abstract: The purpose of this pilot study was to seek consumer perspectives on
strategies for improving vocational placement and job retention services for
individuals with Asperger Syndrome and other autism spectrum disabilities
(ASDs). For this purpose, 18 adults with ASDs were individually interviewed
about their experiences within the workplace. Participants were asked to (a)
describe positive and negative aspects of their vocational experiences, (b)
identify major obstacles to successful employment, and (c) recommend
appropriate vocational supports to be provided by vocational rehabilitation
counselors, employers and co-workers. Qualitative analyses of the interview
transcripts revealed a number of common experiences and concerns which suggest
the needs of individuals with ASDs should be recognized as different from
others with more generalized developmental disabilities and/or mental
retardation.
Keywords: Asperger Syndrome, vocational supports, social supports, autism
