Some Support • Ages 16-18 • Goal:
Get Work Experience
Action step 1.
Identify adult employment services and supports.
Because of the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act, employment services like vocational rehabilitation and Ticket to Work are available to help students get ready for employment. Each state has its own rules for these programs. If you don’t get these services, using supports can help you get ready to work. For example, you may want to:
- Visit the jobsite before you start working to see what it’s like.
- Make a script to help you ask for an accommodation, like using headphones.
Resources
- From Autism Speaks about preparing for employment
- From the Council State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation about state services
- From the U.S. Department of Labor on WIOA
- From the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy on services for autism
- From the U.S. Social Security Administration on Ticket to Work
Words to know
Action step 2.
Explore career interests through work experience.
You can explore interests and future jobs and careers through:
- Internships
- Job shadowing
- Part-time work
- Volunteer work
These activities can help you develop useful job skills, like:
- Following a schedule
- Interviewing
- Teamwork
Resources
Words to know
Action step 3.
Develop executive functioning skills.
Executive functioning skills include things like time management and problem-solving. These skills can be challenging for autistic people. Your IEP should include organizational tools, like checklists and planners, to help you develop these skills. And you may learn about them in certain high school classes.
Resources
Words to know
Action step 4.
Practice social communication and self-advocacy skills.
Transfer social communication and self-advocacy skills you learned in school to community activities. Practice what you learned about advocating for your needs. For example, you can share your social and sensory preferences with your support team.
Resources
Words to know
You’ve reached the end of the action steps for this support level and age group.
- To find services and providers in your area, visit our Resource Guide.
- For direct contact with a member of our Autism Response Team, call 1-888-AUTISM2 (1-888-288-4762) or en Español 1-888-772-9050.
- Send an email to: help@autismspeaks.org.
