Do adults with autism benefit monetarily from working in their communities?

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Cimera, Robert Evert | Burgess, Sloane

Affiliations: Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA

Note: [] Address for correspondence: Robert Evert Cimera, Ph.D., Kent State University, 405 White Hall, Kent, OH 44242-0001, USA. Tel.: +1 330 672 5796; E-mail: rcimera@kent.edu

Abstract: This study explored the employment outcomes and cost-efficiency of 19,436 adults with autism spectrum disorder who had their cases closed by government-operated vocational rehabilitation agencies throughout the United States from 2002 to 2007. Analyses presented here indicated that individuals working in the community generated more monetary benefits than monetary costs (i.e. average benefit-cost ratio of 5.28 and monthly net benefit of $643.20). Further, this result was found regardless of the state in which services were provided or whether the individual had multiple conditions. However, rates of employment (M = 40. 6%), hours worked per week (M = 23.7), and wages earned per month (M = $793.34) were low throughout the United States.

Keywords: Cost efficacy, autism, employment of adults with autism

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-2011-0545

Journal: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 173-180, 2011