Today’s Health section of US News & World Report online features VR Counselors and the State-Federal Rehabilitation system as key players in post-secondary employment for people with Autism. “Teenagers with Autism: Want a Job?” reports on the "supportive and customized employment" approach, which involves collaboration between school systems and VR facilitates to assist young people with Autism transition into the workforce through high school. The author notes, “Counselors work with employers to figure out how to make aspects of a disability an asset”. In addition, the article notes, “The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Workplace Supports and Job Retention at Virginia Commonwealth University has pioneered research on creative ways to employ people with disabilities...” For the full article, please visit: http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/brain-and-behavior/2009/04/02/teenagers-with-autism-want-a-job.html?PageNr=1
39 comments:
People who have autism are very fast learners. They can really contribute with their need to have everything perfect and spot on. I read on the article that their obsessive compulsive behaviors can actually benefit them on the job that they pursue, since they leave no room for error, which is something most of us lack.
This is very good news because more jobs do need to be available for the growing population who have been diagnosed. It is very important to view the disability as something to work with, not around. I think this will definitely benefit and improve their quality of life.
-Mariel G.
When employers first find out that a potential employee has Autism, they immediately deny their application. Since most employers do not know about it, they deny them. They automatically think that it would hinder their business, when in fact teenagers or anyone with autism can be beneficial.
Lizette G.
After reading the article from the US news website I thought that the purpose of this article is desperately needed. I totally agree that the US is not ready at all for what happens when children who have autism grow up. Where will they work, etc? I do feel that more attention must be paid to devoting an organization or fund of some type that may be able to help those with Autism who would want to have a job. From the same article I loved and I am going to quote a statement made by Peter Bell, “They generally have some great employable skills that haven't been held to the highest and best use." I believe this statement is beautiful and hopeful. I do feel that people with Autism can and should be able to express the qualities of life that they are good or even excellent at. There are rumors or statements made of people with Autism that they are artfully skilled, or musically inclined, etc. I think this is great and people with Autism should be able to express this beauty. On another note, I think that there should be more awareness and education about Autism on its own. I know that in these recent years, Jenny McCarthy had been trying to raise the awareness of Autism because she is a mother of an autistic child. I feel that she has really helped the cause.
Aissa S.
I think its great that the US is trying to do something that will help people with Autism. I have met a child with Autism, and there is so much learning they want to learn. They are eager to learn and they have a passion for it. People with Austim should be given a chance to work in a place that fits their abilities. Just because someone has Austim doesn't mean they aren't capabale of holding a steady job. Just like we have our own skills and talents, they have their own as well. I think it will be beneficial that they are going to start them as early as high school, the earlier we start the sooner they will be able to pick certain skills that will make them attractive to employers who once turned down a person with Autism. Another thing, we need to spread awareness about Autism and give information on what it really is and how it affects the person.
Victoria G.
I know someone with autism he does everything so perfect, i do agree with mariel about making more jobs available for the growing population.
Anthonia.F
I agree with the author of the article because teens with autism should have the opportunity to transition from high school into a real world job. Just because someone has autism does not mean they will not be productive in a job. Most people with autism have the ability to perfome a job better than someone who does not have autism.
-Berta J.
This is a good program going on. I believe people with autism should be given an equal opportuniuty for empolyment in this nation. With this program hopefully employers will see that just because an individual has a disability it doesn't prevent them from working a real job. Hopefully someday all employers can realize this and give everybody an equal opportunity for employment.
-Francisco N.-
A lot of people have the assumption that if someone has Autism they are not smart. The truth is they are very smart. Some smarter than ordinary people. I think organizations and programs that help students find jobs is a great thing. It gives the students opportunites when they might not have gotten to begin with. More companies should make more efforts to help these kind of students who want the chance to prove that they are someone just like everyone else.
^Cristopher A.^
This is wonderful news to people with autism because their way of getting a job is now feasible. For VR counselors to be viewed as contributors to the success for people with autism is great. It displays that others who are interested in taking VR as a career will be great contributors to the community. I am so happy to see this news because a friend of mine is a VR counselor. Also, people with autism can perform a job function very well because of the training provided for them by the VR trainers and others that help.
JudithW
I think that what the VR conselers and the state and federal rehabilitation system are doing for people with Autism is a good thing. It is true that at this moment in time many of the people with autism are children then what would happen when they grow up it the community ready? Having the approach of start the transition to the work force in high school is a good place to start once they have reached the end of their education there in no need to worry what will happen next because the next step was already established and prepared.
Joana J.
It is a very great thing, what they are doing for people with disabilities. Being able to work and be engaged in societies demands in order to fit in is a great thing to consider for people with autism. It gives them an oppertunity to shine in things that they are obsessively cumpulsive towards. That can help them in a specified job placed for them and be engaged in society as well! Its awesome!
Janet S.
It needs to be understood that there is a wide spectrum of autism: Those who function at a very high intellectual level and those at the low end of the spectrum. It is encouraging that people are becoming aware of this. Every individual has potential. We, as professionals need to be willing to explore those possibilities and build upon them.
I believe that it’s great that the government is finally doing this. It’s about time that their giving people with autism a chance to show others that they are able to learn and do any job just like anyone else. I do think that if an employer were to see that a person had autism they would reject their application even though that is discrimination it does happen. So, I’m glad that people with autism are being seen more equal and getting better opportunities.
~ Violet M ~
I personally think that most employers usually do reject a job-seeker upon finding that they have autism because of the stigma behind it. I think that if people were more aware of autism they’d find that a person with autism can be helpful in their own unique ways. Now that the government is investing in these kinds of programs for people with autism hopefully people will become more knowledgeable and the stigma will soon disappear.
-Jennifer O -REHS 3303.01
I personally have never really heard of or seen someone with autism being denied a job, then again neither have I seen or know of someone with autism who's applied for a job. I don't know if it's just me or if there are others out there just like me who haven't known of anyone with autism being denied a job. What I do know is that autism individuals-whether children,teens, or adults are quite intelligent and capable of anything. I also know that most of them are above average and/or geniuses in a particular area, but that doesn't mean that they're dumb and everything else. They're brilliant individuals, which should be given the opportunity (just like everyone else) to have a job, go to school, make a living for themselves. A neighbor of mine her son actually was diagnose with autism recently, and well of course at first she couldn't believe - "it just wasn't possible," she said but she's learned to accepted it (if that's the correct word to use)and just be their for her son and help him to be somebody with the least difficulties as possible.
I personally have never really heard of or seen someone with autism being denied a job, then again neither have I seen or know of someone with autism who's applied for a job. I don't know if it's just me or if there are others out there just like me who haven't known of anyone with autism being denied a job. What I do know is that autism individuals-whether children,teens, or adults are quite intelligent and capable of anything. I also know that most of them are above average and/or geniuses in a particular area, but that doesn't mean that they're dumb and everything else. They're brilliant individuals, which should be given the opportunity (just like everyone else) to have a job, go to school, make a living for themselves. A neighbor of mine her son actually was diagnose with autism recently, and well of course at first she couldn't believe - "it just wasn't possible," she said but she's learned to accepted it (if that's the correct word to use)and just be their for her son and help him to be somebody with the least difficulties as possible.
sorry forgot to put my name on it...
Rosario G.-REHS 3311.01- B.Rivas
Reality is that today's economy and social security can't afford to have people not working. it is a really good idea to have people with autism use their strenghts to learn a job and become part of and help the society. The only issue here I would say is discrimation. I don't think society is ready for this, but definitely we should support this programs which can help end discrimination towards PWD.
Grace R.
i think it's great that the VR is starting to make a collaboration between school systems and VR facilitates to assist young people with Autism transition into the workforce through high school. Now that they are helping them sooner they'll have a better chance at holding a steady job.
It is of great importance to learn about autism before denying a person the right to participate in jobs that our community offers. Every one has good and bad things that they can offer to our community.
Elizabeth M.
I agree with one of the articles that states as hiring people with autism not as charity but as people who can work for them. Some one has get the job done and and if a person with autism is willing to work then they should be glad to teach them the job and be able to benefit from their efforts.
Crystal S.
Here in the valley if go to Wal-mart or Peter Piper manly during lunch time you see a school bus pull up and kids get off some of them look normal and others you could tell they are Down syndrome etc. They are considered special ed. program. Like at peter piper they clean the tables and great customers they are very nice. At Wal-mart they do the same thing they just love to great people. They are very nice and courteous. It makes me feel good when I see this because I know that they are given a chance just like everybody else. That’s what makes the world a better place little by little.
Krystal R.
This really makes me glad, that the U.S is contributing in this case, and i certainly believe that these individuals are capable of serving in the work field..counselors can make their work wise area improve and focus on their assests. people with autism are no different than anyone else and i truly agree that they want to get involved in working and that our country is willing to help in this situation.
jacklyn g
I think that autism is a very complicated subject. Autsim can vary from one person to another. Sometimes it is more severe than others. I think that if someone is capable of doing a certain job and keeping it why shouldn't they work?
-shannon l.
Great Program, people with autism should be given the equal opportunity for employment as every other individual. Many people believe that just because a person has a disability, they are not able to work well or get the job done, but in reality they are smart as or smarter than others. This program will help them find a job, and prove that they can do it as well as everyone else.
the comment posted on April 19, 2009 at 9:55 is from Daphne J.
I really agree with the author of the article. I think that children and teenagers should have some opportunity to comfortably transfer to middle school to high school to the real world with a real job. I think as much help should be offered if possible so that these people can have a chance to have responsibilies like everyone. Having more organizations to help out these people I think would be awesome so they can have something to pursue.
Danielle C.
This may sound crazy, but people, especially children with autism are very fast learners. They have this ability to have everything perfect and spot on.
Its funny how their OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorders)behaviors can actually benefit them on the job they get or pursue, of course when they are older. This is tremendous news because more jobs need to be available for the ever growing population who have been diagnosed with autism. It is always important to view a disability in a positive light because you can see that there are really more pro's then cons.
I believe that this article is important because people need to know about what Autism is and who it affects. I also believe that it is essential that teenagers with Autism are able to have a job and go to school at the same time. Autism should not be a barrier I really hope that State Federal Rehabilitation system helps teenager find a job. If I had a child with Autism I would like for my son or daughter to have a job that way he or she knows how it feels to have a job. Another thing that I hope that the State Federal Rehabilitation system is raise awareness about Autism, on Saturday I actually attended the walk event for Autism in McAllen and it was great I am glad that there is these types of event that raise awareness of a certain type of disabilities.
Brenda Hernandez
VR is an awesome field that covers such a vast amount of people. Everyone needs the opportunity to find a job and it is because of the hard work from this counselors that gives people with disabilities either a second chance at a new life, or a first chance that no one would have given them.
VR is an awesome field that covers such a vast amount of people. Everyone needs the opportunity to find a job and it is because of the hard work from this counselors that gives people with disabilities either a second chance at a new life, or a first chance that no one would have given them.
John-Robert I.
I thought this was a great article to higlight the fact that autism is on the rise and on how individuals with autism can overcome work and education barriers with the help of those assisting them.I think its great that theres org out there that are trying to help people with autism become more intergrated with society. More and more organizations should become involved in trying to help people with disabilites in giving them more opportunities to get an education or a job.
Diana O.
I don’t think I would categorize autism under disability but more so under talent. Some of the most brilliant people had autism, such as Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton. I think it’s great that VR counselors and the rehabilitation system are doing a wonderful thing. People with autism will have the opportunity to show their special talent(s) and perhaps someday there will be other Albert Einstein or Isaac Newton and they will found a cure for cancer or AIDS.
the goverment should provide more help for children with a disability because they are very smart kids. I support people with autism and joined saturday the Autism Awareness walk......
Jeannette O
This is very nice. It’s good that people with autism are getting the opportunity to work at the local store. There are many good opportunities out there and this is good for autistic people because they can make money for their extra needs.
Evelyn A.
When it comes to individuals with Autism their abilities vary in all different directions and I think it is very important to integrate these individuals in the world of work. Everybody deserves to have a shot at life and independence and I find it important for school districts to make an effort and care for the children they tend to leave behind. I agree with Mariel G. that this population is growing and it is important for us to recognize this and make room for them.
Aaron G.
once again the sterotype against disabilitites..anyone can be beneficial in the work place they just need a chance to prove it..how can someone prove themselves without a chance?people need to stop being so arrrogant and look at the potential in pwd...
justin r.
Everyone needs a job and everyone should be given the opportunity to obtain one. I believe the community is not well informed about autism, therefore employers deny most applications from people with this disability.
Y.Torres
I met a little boy who had autism and he was a good kid. It was hard for him to stay focussed but he would give himself a little break then come back and join in on what we were doing. I think this shows that it is possible for teenagers with autism to work. Just like we need to make minor adjustments here and there to accomadate people with other disabilities, we also need to include teenagers with disabilities into the work environment.
Vanessa M
People with autism have obsessive compulsive behaviors that will work well with thier jobs. Thier need for everything to be perfect will also contribute well in the job force. Job are growing out thier and i am sure they will be able to learn many of these jobs quickly.
Gerardo G.
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