ERIC Number: EJ1434538
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024-Aug
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1362-3613
EISSN: EISSN-1461-7005
Evaluating a New Supported Employment Internship Programme for Autistic Young Adults without Intellectual Disability
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, v28 n8 p1934-1946 2024
Supported employment initiatives have been shown to increase employment rates for autistic people who want to enter the workforce. Despite the success of supported employment initiatives in increasing employment rates, little is known about the first-hand experiences and views of those involved. In the current study, we examined the experiences and views of autistic young adults without intellectual disability ('interns'), employers and parents regarding a previously unevaluated paid internship scheme that offers tailored support for interns and employers before, during and after the internship, the "Employ Autism network." In total, 51 participants (19 interns, 22 employers, 10 parents), across eight internships, engaged in semi-structured interviews. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to identify three themes, shared across participant groups: (1) the internship was 'an invaluable experience', (2) the internship helped break down autism-specific barriers to employment and (3) stakeholder groups had some unmet expectations. Drawing on this multi-informant qualitative evaluation of a novel supported employment scheme, we derive recommendations of best practice for supported employment initiatives for autistic young adults without intellectual disability.
Descriptors: Supported Employment, Young Adults, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Employer Attitudes, Parent Attitudes, Internship Programs, Program Effectiveness, Best Practices, Employee Attitudes, Work Experience
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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
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A