Adult Services and Employment for Adults with Autism: Options, Challenges, and Hope

Employment status is, in many ways, central to the definition of adulthood in North America. Some variation of “So, what is it you do?” is often one of the first questions asked when we meet someone new. Many autistic adults, however, have no real answer to that question. Despite ongoing efforts to promote employment, the unemployment rate for autistic adults continues to be significantly greater than the national average. In this chapter, some of the reasons why this continues to be an issue in the 50 years since the passage of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act (1973) are reviewed. In addition, an overview of the existing services model is provided. Recommendations for system-wide changes designed to improve adult employment outcomes are offered.