Eighteenth International Conference on Diversity in Organizations, Communities & Nations

Abstract

In the early 1990s there was an increase of individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). One response was to facilitate early intervention and support with the hopes of increasing positive post-high school outcomes and vocational opportunities (VanBergeik, Klin, and Volkmar, 2008). However, very little research has focused on vocational outcomes, especially regarding the environmental influences on these. The individual characteristics related to negative outcomes have been extensively researched (e.g., neurology, processing speed, executive functioning, language and communication, learning disabilities, and psychiatric comorbidities) though the environmental and societal contributors have been largely ignored. This proposed research will contribute to the field by addressing the notions of self-determination and vocational maturity, by furthering the concept initiated by Super in 1957 that a person’s diversified opportunities support career development. This mixed method study will focus on the career trajectory of individuals with ASD without intellectual disability by looking at their vocational maturity during late adolescence and young adulthood. We will use a Self-Determination framework to explore these concepts. By using the AIR self-determination questionnaire and case studies of vocational trajectories, we plan to evaluate the amount of opportunities available to individuals with ASD and to explore the availability of supports and resources that promote their vocational readiness and career development. The potential implications are to highlight the supports and resources available to other individuals with ASD and to encourage professionals in the field to further their knowledge regarding career development.