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Lived Experiences and Perceptions of Autistic Young Adults Participating in Employment Readiness Skills Training.

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Title: Lived Experiences and Perceptions of Autistic Young Adults Participating in Employment Readiness Skills Training.
Authors: Sung, Connie (AUTHOR), Okyere, Christiana (AUTHOR), Connor, Annemarie (AUTHOR), Chen, June (AUTHOR)
Source: Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders. Jan2026, Vol. 56 Issue 1, p213-228. 16p.
Subjects: Research funding, Qualitative research, Satisfaction, Autism, Rehabilitation of autistic people, Research evaluation, Evaluation of human services programs, Interviewing, Descriptive statistics, Confidence, Goal (Psychology), Learning, Thematic analysis, Pre-tests & post-tests, Employment of people with disabilities, Vocational rehabilitation, Research methodology, Social skills, Asperger's syndrome, Needs assessment, Patients' attitudes, Group process, Experiential learning, Employment, Adults
Geographic Terms: Michigan
Abstract: This study aimed to examine the experiences and perceptions of participants engaged in an employment readiness program, Employment Preparation And Skills Support (EPASS), which is a manualized group-based training program designed to improve employment readiness among autistic young adults. A qualitative descriptive design was utilized to generate thick descriptions through semi-structured interviews with 22 transition-age autistic individuals (Mage = 20; 6 females; 16 males). Thematic analysis was employed to understand the experiences and career outcomes of transition-age autistic individuals pre- and post-participation in the EPASS program. Five main themes were identified: (1) More Negative Than Positive Employment-related Experiences; (2) Insight about Training Needs despite Hesitation to Participate; (3) Improved Perception and Confidence of Employment readiness through Experiential Learning; (4) Emerging Career Goals and Plans in Future Application of Knowledge and Skills; and (5) Learning Preference for More Interactive and Practice Experience. Participants reported a better understanding of job preparation skills, work-related social skills and interview etiquette. They also reported that what they learned in EPASS helped them improve their skills and confidence in obtaining and maintaining employment. Overall, participants expressed satisfaction with participating in EPASS and anticipated potential long-term impacts on their employability. This study sheds light on the training needs for transition-age autistic individuals and informs future employment readiness program development. Future studies should focus on collaborating with stakeholders to address training gaps and support needs that foster improved employment outcomes for this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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  Data: Lived Experiences and Perceptions of Autistic Young Adults Participating in Employment Readiness Skills Training.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sung%2C+Connie%22">Sung, Connie</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Okyere%2C+Christiana%22">Okyere, Christiana</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Connor%2C+Annemarie%22">Connor, Annemarie</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Chen%2C+June%22">Chen, June</searchLink> (AUTHOR)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Journal+of+Autism+%26+Developmental+Disorders%22">Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders</searchLink>. Jan2026, Vol. 56 Issue 1, p213-228. 16p.
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– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: This study aimed to examine the experiences and perceptions of participants engaged in an employment readiness program, Employment Preparation And Skills Support (EPASS), which is a manualized group-based training program designed to improve employment readiness among autistic young adults. A qualitative descriptive design was utilized to generate thick descriptions through semi-structured interviews with 22 transition-age autistic individuals (Mage = 20; 6 females; 16 males). Thematic analysis was employed to understand the experiences and career outcomes of transition-age autistic individuals pre- and post-participation in the EPASS program. Five main themes were identified: (1) More Negative Than Positive Employment-related Experiences; (2) Insight about Training Needs despite Hesitation to Participate; (3) Improved Perception and Confidence of Employment readiness through Experiential Learning; (4) Emerging Career Goals and Plans in Future Application of Knowledge and Skills; and (5) Learning Preference for More Interactive and Practice Experience. Participants reported a better understanding of job preparation skills, work-related social skills and interview etiquette. They also reported that what they learned in EPASS helped them improve their skills and confidence in obtaining and maintaining employment. Overall, participants expressed satisfaction with participating in EPASS and anticipated potential long-term impacts on their employability. This study sheds light on the training needs for transition-age autistic individuals and informs future employment readiness program development. Future studies should focus on collaborating with stakeholders to address training gaps and support needs that foster improved employment outcomes for this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=pbh&AN=191290290
RecordInfo BibRecord:
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    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1007/s10803-024-06527-8
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
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        PageCount: 16
        StartPage: 213
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Research funding
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Qualitative research
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Satisfaction
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Autism
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Rehabilitation of autistic people
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Research evaluation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Evaluation of human services programs
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Interviewing
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Descriptive statistics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Confidence
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      – SubjectFull: Goal (Psychology)
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      – SubjectFull: Learning
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Thematic analysis
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Pre-tests & post-tests
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      – SubjectFull: Employment of people with disabilities
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Vocational rehabilitation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Research methodology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social skills
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      – SubjectFull: Asperger's syndrome
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      – SubjectFull: Needs assessment
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      – SubjectFull: Patients' attitudes
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      – SubjectFull: Group process
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      – SubjectFull: Experiential learning
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      – SubjectFull: Employment
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      – SubjectFull: Adults
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Michigan
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Lived Experiences and Perceptions of Autistic Young Adults Participating in Employment Readiness Skills Training.
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              Text: Jan2026
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