- About 50-60% of transition-age youth and adults with autism spectrum disorder obtain work opportunities following participation in vocational rehabilitation programs, mainly working part-time and for low wages
- Programs primarily focus on modifying behavior as opposed to modifying work environments and practices
- The structures of VR programs, availability of services, eligibility criteria, and funding differ greatly by state, as well as how tailored they are to individuals with ASD
- A shift to a knowledge-based economy makes VR services for individuals on the autism spectrum a necessity

Vocational Rehabilitation for Individuals on the Autism Spectrum

- State-federal VR programs
- Private sector rehabilitation
- Community-based rehabilitation

Types of Vocational Rehabilitation Programs

- Assessment
- Counseling
- Job development
- Job placement
- Case management

Services Provided by Vocational Rehabilitation Programs

- Organizational practices
- Promising service delivery practices

Two Types of VR Practices

Assists people with disabilities who require support in finding and maintaining work.

Tulane University

Replaced the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 as the main piece of legislation providing federal support for job training. Additionally, this act updated the legal framework for the federal Vocational Rehabilitation program which is meant to assist individuals with disabilities in finding and maintaining jobs.

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)

Roux, A. M., Garfield, T., Shattuck, P. T. (2019). Employment policy and autism: Analysis of state workforce innovation and opportunity act (WIOA) implementation plans. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 51(3), 285–298. https://doi.org/10.3233/jvr-191046 

Employment policy and autism: Analysis of state Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) implementation plans

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Programs

Under WIOA, each state is responsible for creating and implementing plans summarizing rehabilitation needs within the state while identifying populations which have previously been underserved by VR programs, such as individuals with disabilities.

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