Achieving Meaningful Employment for Youth on the Autism Spectrum: High School Transition

the Project SEARCH Way.

A Webcast Hosted by SEDL

Funded by NIDRR, US Department of Education, PR# Funded by NIDRR, US Department of Education, PR# H133A080007

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Program Philosophy

People with disabilities have the right to choose a path toward education and employment. However, while freedom of choice is given, the right to work is earned. Earning the right to work is dependent upon the student's preparation.

Stephen Simon, ADA Quarterly, Fall 1998

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Collaboration and Shared Resources

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School

DD Services

Supported Employment

Agency

Business

Vocational Rehabilitation

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Project SEARCH High School Transition

Project SEARCH is a one-year, school-to-work program for young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

• Goal of competitive employment• Total workplace immersion• Internship rotations for career exploration and job

skills acquisition • Customized job-search assistance

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Program Description

• One school year• 10-12 students with a variety of intellectual and

developmental disabilities• Certified instructor and job coaches• Immersed in host business culture• Rotations through unpaid internships with continual

feedback• Outcome of employment

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Program Description-Eligibility Criteria

• 18 – 21 years old• Last year of high school eligibility• Eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation • Appropriate hygiene, social, and communication skills• Ability to take direction• Access public transportation• Pass drug screen, background check, immunizations • Desire to Work!

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Annual Project SEARCH ScheduleAUG JUNE

1st Internship

Graduate & Begin Work at Site or in Community

2nd Internship 3rd Internship

3 week Orientation

Transition Week

Transition Week

Begin PS Program

Employment Planning Meetings 2 each internship

Job Search intensifies during 2nd Internship

Family Involvement and BAC

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A Day in the life of a Project SEARCH Student• 8:00 Employability

Curriculum

• 9:00 Internship site

• 11:30 Lunch

• 12:15 Internship site

• 2:00 Review, Plan, Journaling

• 2:30 Depart

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Total Workplace ImmersionHigh School Project SEARCH

Social Environment Many social activities to develop a well-rounded student.

Team-building activities and staff meetings that have work-specific purposes.

Performance Schools reward effort; alternative strategies are used to achieve success.

Employers reward results; look for alternative ways to give employees the skills to perform the job.

Dress Code Casual dress code and standards are tolerated.

Specific and uniform requirements are in place., including rules about footwear, jewelry, and tattoos.

Support Personnel Various individuals available to handle personal and academic problems that may occur.

Job Coach and teacher deal with work-related issues in transition to a real work environment.

Discipline Administrator addresses issues that could lead to detentions, suspensions, or change of program .

Managers handle discipline issues. Documentation, performance-improvement plans, or termination may result.

Atmosphere Loud voices and running tolerated; bells indicate change of classes

Quiet voices are the norm, and there is the expectation that workers know where they should be at all times. 9

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Outcome of Employment

The Project SEARCH Definition of a Successful Outcome:

• Competitive employment in an integrated setting • Year-round work • 20 hours/week or more • Minimum wage or higher

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Internships

• Marketable Skills

• 4 – 5 hours of day, 910 per year

• Work/ Social Skills

• Integrated

• Cascading skills

• For the benefit of the student, not the benefit of the host employer

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Nontraditional Jobs

Not the “Easiest Jobs”But

“Complex and Systematic”

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© CCHMC 1/3/06

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Clinical Sterilization

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© CCHMC 1/3/06

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Wegmans

The Importance of High Expectations

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Emergency Department Technician

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Diaper Drawer Dividers

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High Expectations Lead to Big Changes

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High Expectations Lead to Big Changes

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2010 Employment Outcomes

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2010 Employment Outcomes

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Progress to Date

• 209 current sites • 30 in process of implementation• 39 states• England, Scotland, Australia, and Canada• International, secure, online data base (participation is

condition of license)• Independent model fidelity audits• Annual Project SEARCH conference• Wide mix of rural and urban locations• Huge districts and very small (collaboration)

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High School Transition that Works: Lessons Learned from Project SEARCHBy Maryellen Daston, Erin Riehle, and Susie Rutkowski

Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., Inc.

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For more information go to:http://projectsearch.us/

www.NYC4A.org

Ilene LainerExecutive Director

New York Collaborates for Autismwww.nyc4a.org

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The Project SEARCH Model has been enhanced by New York Collaborates for Autism, in partnership with NYP’s Center for Autism and the Developing Brain, to create a framework for employment tailored to people with autism. It is called the Project SEARCH Collaborates for Autism Curriculum Framework for Employment (P.S.C.A.)

P.S.C.A. includes components included in other Project SEARCH programs but includes methodologies, programming and strategies targeted to better serve people with autism.

In 2013, New York Collaboration for Autism will be selecting 4 sites at which to disseminate this model and will provide a grant to support such dissemination.

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What is autism?

www.NYC4A.org

• Autism is a group of complex disorders of brain development. There is no biological test for autism that will confirm a diagnosis. Instead, the diagnosis is based on behavioral observations. Autism is a life long disorder.

• ASD is a highly variable disorder and looks very different in each person.

• Autism affects a person’s development. It may result in more limited or different life opportunities and this may also cause abnormal development.

• The DSM 5 is changing the name of autism, PDD-NOS and Asperger Syndrome to Autism Spectrum Disorders. (I may refer to all of these as “autism” or ASD during this talk.)

• Many people with autism also have other conditions including attention deficits, difficulties in motor coordination or sleep, gastrointestinal disturbances, intellectual disability, sensory challenges, and/or seizures.

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How does ASD manifest itself?

www.NYC4A.org

A person with autism may have abnormal development in a number of areas including:

•social interaction

•verbal and nonverbal communication

•repetitive behaviors or severely restricted interests

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Children with autism become adults with autism.

www.NYC4A.org

Cute?

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Children with autism become adults with autism.

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Indecent exposure?

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How do we help ourHow do we help our children with autism become happy competent adults with autism?

www.NYC4A.org

 •Promote independence

•Maintain high expectations

•Highlight strengths while working to provide support to minimize deficits

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Why do we need an enhanced Project SEARCH model for people

with ASD?

People with ASD may have hidden deficits and/or hidden strengths. Understanding the person’s profile is key to success. (This does not mean that everyone with ASD has a superior area of skill.)

Before Now

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Why do we need an enhanced Project SEARCH model for people

with ASD?

Sensory sensitivities may require a modification or matching of the learning and working environment.

Overstimulating Quieter, Systematic,

Teamwork

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Why do we need an enhanced Project SEARCH model for people with ASD?

Generalizing skills learned requires multiple opportunities across various environments and contexts.

Morning E-mail Classroom Work

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Why do we need an enhanced Project SEARCH model for people with ASD?

P.S.C.A. Model emphasizes a teaching and work style that minimizes talking and increases visual supports in the training process and on the job to increase independence.

Technology has proven to be very useful.

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P.S.C.A.-Enhanced Program Components

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Project SEARCH Collaborates for Autism

Dissemination

The Project SEARCH Model has been enhanced by New York Collaborates for Autism, in partnership with NYP’s Center for Autism and the Developing Brain, to create a framework for employment tailored to people with autism. It is called the Project SEARCH Collaborates for Autism Curriculum Framework for Employment (P.S.C.A.)

P.S.C.A. includes components included in other Project SEARCH programs but includes methodologies, programming and strategies targeted to better serve people with autism.

In 2013, New York Collaboration for Autism will be selecting 4 sites at which to disseminate this model and will provide a grant to support such dissemination.

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www.NYC4A.org

Ilene LainerExecutive Director

New York Collaborates for Autismwww.nyc4a.orgtismwww.nyc4a.org

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High School Transition that Works: Lessons Learned from Project SEARCHBy Maryellen Daston, Erin Riehle, and Susie Rutkowski

Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., Inc.

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For more information go to:http://projectsearch.us/