From the [Newark, NJ] Star-Ledger:

Advocates say employers need to start preparing now for the expected influx of adults with autism. They encourage employers to respect sensory sensitivities, utilize the strengths of the individual, and, most importantly, understand the gap in social skills.

The traditional focus on children with autism is no longer sufficient, advocates say, as people with autism increasingly are aging out of the educational system and looking for productive, purposeful lives in the workplace.

“A lot of public awareness has been around children with severe challenges,” said Leslie Long, public policy director for Autism New Jersey. “You have to now look at John who’s now 20. Putting him on a brochure for funding isn’t going to work anymore. He has a right to work and wants to work. How do you help him?”

A state-commissioned report on the subject is due out this month.

See also “A Place of Their Own,” an earlier series in the Star-Ledger about a private school for students with autism spectrum disorders:

• Part 1: Autistic students find ‘A Place of Their Own’ through Essex County school
• Part 2: Autistic students find ‘A Place of Their Own:’ Dark clouds and new beginnings
• Part 3: Autistic students find ‘A Place of Their Own:’ It often comes down to politics
• Part 4: Autistic students find ‘A Place of Their Own:’ Another move brings hope

This entry was posted on Saturday, September 19th, 2009 at 6:54 pm and is filed under autism, employment/jobs. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.