Health

HEALTH • Fall 2017 15 P H O T O S / M A T T W R I G H T Adults with ASD want to work... Source: National Autism Indicators Report: Developmental Disability Services and Outcomes in Adulthood, 2017, Drexel University Life Course Outcomes Research Program, http://drexel.edu/autismoutcomes/publications-and-reports/publications/National-Autism-Indicators-Report- Developmental-Disability-Services-and-Outcomes-in-Adulthood/#sthash.NFepAl6I.dpbs company that has been working to hire more people with autism and disabilities, human resources manager Celina Rosa said it's crucial that employees get that kind of respect from coworkers. "It's really important when a company is focusing on working with people who are differently able that you spend the time with your current team members to educate them," she said. Imperial has been working with the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) to accommodate workers needs and learn to manage behaviors. "I think what's most helpful, is just taking the time to understand what each individual needs." HMEA is now expanding its own work to address the specific needs of people on the autism spectrum who have strong intellectual skills but have trouble with social interactions. "If you have autism, you may not look the person in the eye," said HMEA CEO Michael Moloney. Dell EMC, HMEA adopt Danish model Partnering with Dell EMC in Hopkinton, it's using a model developed in Denmark based on the idea that many people with ASD have strong attention to detail and ability to focus. Moloney said the organizations are working together to recruit a cohort of prospective employees. The group will spend time on the corporate campus getting to know the company culture and letting hiring managers observe their work, rather than going through a traditional interview process. Those who are hired will get mentors to help them navigate the workplace. EMC's Kristine Biagiotti-Bridges, a senior adviser at Dell EMC and a member of HMEA's board, said the company is starting out by seeking job candidates for engineering and accounting jobs— two fields where the focus and attention to detail that many people with ASD have can be a huge help. From college to career Dell EMC and HMEA are working with local colleges to connect with potential employees who might struggle with traditional hiring processes. "These are folks that may have gone and gotten a four-year degree and have gone home and haven't had a good experience with trying to find a job," Biagiotti-Bridges said. For some people, a good work experience can bring out abilities they didn't know they had. At 17, Christian Tsetsos began working at Behavioral Concepts Inc., a Worcester-based educational services organization that had provided him with support during his high school years. He said he lacked confidence at the time. At first Tsetsos worked part-time, doing administrative work, but after finishing college and going full-time, he took on the work of dealing with complicated insurance paperwork. Then he decided to take on a new challenge. "I slowly became more involved. It took small steps, but I was able to make myself more comfortable over time," Tsetsos said. Eleven years after starting the job, Tsetsos now works with parents whose children just received autism diagnoses, walking them through the process of getting services through BCI, and he helps with orientation for new employees. "He's truly the face of BCI," said BCI's CEO Jeffrey Robinson. "He's an amazing young man." H ...and these are some of the most common jobs they hold 41 percent of autistic adults without a serious intellectual disability want a job, but only 23 percent had one Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance 28% 18% 17% 7% 6% 3% Other 20% Food prep and services Retail Assembly, manufacturing and packaging General office and administrative support Materials handling and mail distribution 0 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% No intellectual disablity Mild Moderate Severe/ Profound Percent holding a paid job in the community Percent with community employment as a goal in their service plan 23% 21% 41% 41% 21% 9% 10% 4%

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