All our programs are designed to maximize each individual’s potential.
Securing and maintaining competitive employment remains a challenge for many autistic adolescents and adults. To be more specific, those with Autism tend to be under or unemployed, have fragmented work histories, experience poorer employment outcomes than other disability groups, take significantly longer to find jobs, and often remain financially dependent.
SASS conducted a comprehensive literature review and a series of interviews with autistic individuals, employers, and job coaches to determine what the most significant barriers to employment and gaps in support are. These interviews informed several areas of need including executive functioning, self-advocacy, social communication, and mental health.
It also became evident that many of the barriers autistic individuals face stem from a lack of understanding and acceptance from their employers and from workplace environments that are designed for neuro-typical functioning.
To this end, SASS has developed resources and supports for both autistic individuals and employers in order to improve employment outcomes for autistic individuals.
We offer 4 courses for employees/job seekers: Executive functioning, self-advocacy, social communication and mental health.
We provide resources to support employers in creating a neurodiverse friendly workplace and increasing their understanding and acceptance of Autism.
We provide lesson plan ideas and suggestions as to how to use the materials created for employees when working with neurodiverse individuals in one on one or group settings.
This section provides resources to support neurodiverse adults in the workplace. Four major areas of need were identified through interviews with autistic individuals including executive functioning, self-advocacy, social communication, and mental health. Each section includes information and resources to help neurodiverse individuals navigate challenges and societal barriers to employment. Also included are a variety of learning activities tailored to suit different adult learning styles.
Self-determination is your ability to take responsibility for your own life. It involves knowing who you are and who you want to be. In this section you will learn how to self-advocate and represent your own views, interests, needs, and desires in work and school settings.
Executive Functioning includes skills that help us plan out our day, tasks, prioritize, organize and manage life. This course will aid you in improving these skills.
Mental Health includes our emotional and psychological well-being. It is just as important as our physical health. This course will provide you with ways to take care of your mental health through self-care, mindfulness, coping skills, and support systems through others.
Social communication involves using language to interact with others in a variety of different situations. Success in the workplace involves having the ability to effectively share and understand ideas.
This page provides resources to support employers in creating a neurodiverse-friendly workplace and increasing their understanding and acceptance of Autism.
Currently, this section is under development. Please check back soon for details.
This page provides lesson plan ideas and suggestions as to how to use the materials created for employees when working with neurodiverse individuals in one on one or group settings.
Currently, this section is under development. Please check back soon for details.
