Research Database: Article Details

Citation:  Schall, C., Sima, A. P., Avellone, L. Wehman, P., McDonough, J., & Brown, A. (2020). The effect of business internships model and employment on enhancing the independence of young adults with significant impact from autism. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 58 (4), 301-313.
Title:  The effect of business internships model and employment on enhancing the independence of young adults with significant impact from autism
Authors:  Schall, C., Sima, A. P., Avellone, L. Wehman, P., McDonough, J., & Brown, A.
Year:  2020
Journal/Publication:  Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Publisher:  American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1352/1934-9556-58.4.301
Full text:  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32750714/   
Peer-reviewed?  Yes
NIDILRR-funded?  Yes

Structured abstract:

Background:  This article presents findings from a multisite randomized clinical trial measuring the impact of employment on independence in 18 to 22 year old youth with significant impact from autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The treatment condition was Project SEARCH plus ASD Supports (PS+ASD) where 73.4% of participants gained competitive integrated employment (CIE) within 1 year of graduation compared to control participants who acquired CIE at 17%. Within group analysis revealed that PS+ASD participants demonstrated improvement in all domains whereas control group participants demonstrated improvement in one domain only. Between groups analysis indicated that participants in PS+ASD demonstrated nominally better rates of improvement than control group participants at graduation and 1-year follow-up. Results provide evidence that employment provides therapeutic benefits to individuals with ASD.

Disabilities served:  Autism / ASD
Populations served:  Transition-age youth (14 - 24)
Adults
Transition-age students (14 - 22)
Interventions:  On-the-job training and support
Internships
Outcomes:  Employment acquisition
Full-time employment