ERIC Number: EJ1477951
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2168-6653
EISSN: EISSN-2168-6661
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Individual Placement and Support for Adults with Autism: A Qualitative Study of Experienced Professionals' Opinions
Ana Carolina Florence; Reilly Mulcahy; Jennifer L. McLaren; Glyn Elwyn; Aaron Rock; Phillip D. Rumrill; Timothy Michael Mulcahy; Franco Mascayano; Othal Smith III; Sarah Swanson; Robert E. Drake
Rehabilitation Research, Policy, and Education, v39 n1 p17-24 2025
Background: Autism typically begins in childhood and affects over five million adults across the United States. Although most adults with autism would like to work, only about one-fourth are employed, and only 1% of working-age adults with autism receive employment services paid for by Vocational Rehabilitation or Medicaid. Individual Placement and Support (IPS) is an evidence-based supported employment program developed for people with mental health disabilities that has been extended to new populations, including adults with autism. This project explored the perspectives of IPS employment specialists and other professionals who have worked with adults with autism. Objective: This project explored the perspectives of IPS employment specialists and other professionals who have worked with adults with autism. Methods: This project used semistructured qualitative interviews with experienced professionals to explore their experiences delivering IPS to adults with autism. Findings: Interviews with 35 professionals from seven U.S. states and two European countries yielded two themes: strategies to work with adults with autism and programmatic considerations. Participants recommended no major changes to the core principles of IPS but suggested minor adjustments, such as providing increased support for social interactions on the job and working closely with families and employers. Conclusions: Although no major adaptations to IPS were reported, improving training, addressing structural barriers, and centering the voices of adults with autism are key to enhancing employment outcomes and guiding future research.
Descriptors: Adults, Placement, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Vocational Rehabilitation, Health Insurance, Employment Programs, Supported Employment, Foreign Countries, Job Training, Job Placement
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United States; Europe
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A