Research and Resources that help families today www

Research and Resources that help families today www. Researchautism. org

Main Themes Today Ø Transition to Adulthood Ø Employment Ø Quality of Life

Why are we here today? n Introduce the Organization for Autism Research (OAR) n Describe OAR’s Autism Employment Initiative n Provide overview of Hire Autism n Explain how to use n Invite people to help

What is OAR? n 501(c)(3) organization; 16 years in December n National in scope; international in program delivery n Mission: Quality of life – apply research to the challenges of autism

Mission Areas n Research. Fund applied studies n Information. Provide evidence-based resources n Education. Offer scholarships n Community Impact

Community Impact OAR’s mission quality of life issues. n For children with autism - education both socially and academically in the schoolhouse. n For adults, quality of life and selfesteem come from work. n

Major Program Initiatives n Autism in the Schoolhouse (2012) n Hire Autism (2017)

Our Transition Resource

The Employment Challenge n Adults with autism are capable of working in a wide range of jobs n Prospects are dismal n 50, 000 graduate from high school annually n 75% unemployed or underemployed

Hire Autism connects job seekers with autism to employers in need of their skills in a carefully structured, autism-friendly environment

Goals Increase the rate of employment among adults with autism n Allow adults with autism to present themselves to employers in the most favorable light; n Identify and engage autism-friendly businesses n Provide employment-related support for adults with autism and employers n

How It Works Users are individuals with autism (“applicants”) and employers. n Free n Easy to use n Accessible and responsive n Support available n

Current Status n Demonstration in No. VA n 9 registered employers; 10+ in the process, and 19 working prospects n 70 applicants n 21 jobs on the site, many more available through our other business partners

Wrap up n n n Transition to adulthood and having a job go hand in hand Hire Autism is OAR’s priority program initiative in 2017 and going forward Transition Guide and Hire Autism are for you and your loved ones with autism Take advantage of them; make Diane work! Thank you and good luck

Contacts Michael Maloney Executive Director 703. 243. 9727 mmaloney@researchautism. org Diane Lingenfelter Manager, Hire Autism Marketing and Outreach 571. 384. 1821 dlingenfelter@researchautism. org