Vocational training and inclusion for people with autism

A sustainable placement of people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in inclusive, adequately paid and suitable, regular jobs requires qualified vocational training. For quite a long time it was generally assumed that only a small number of people with autism are able to successfully undergo a systematic vocational preparation and then find a job. This is why presently only about 5% of them have a regular job. During the last 10 years, however, hundreds of adolescents with ASD, predominantly with Asperger's Syndrome and high functioning autism, have proved that they can be successfully trained and find a job on the regular labour market. Thus, their capability to be trained as well as their efficiency are no longer questioned. But qualification measures can only be successful if the training conditions are adapted to the people concerned, and the trainers and instructors adjust themselves to their kind of cognitive perception. Furthermore, a considerable number of the young people need support when it comes to finding work, and also a job coach during the period of vocational adjustment. This publication deals with the necessary elements of a successful training and placement on the labour market. To convince companies of the efficiency of people with autism assessment measures, adequate general work conditions, social skills training as well as suitable vocational areas, disadvantage compensation in examinations, on-the-job support- and training, accompaniment when it comes to everyday life matters, living conditions and to finding a job are absolutely mandatory. I hope the following support measures contribute to an increase of people with ASD on the regular labour market up to 15-20% and the creation of inclusive and individually satisfactory jobs. The publication deals with results of three research projects that were conducted between 2003 and 2011 in vocational training centres on behalf of the German Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. The projects focused on possibilities of vocational training and qualification for people with ASD as well as on vocational participation and inclusion on the regular labour market. The aim of the projects was to identify people with autism who are qualified for vocational training and apprenticeship, and to find out what barriers impede job qualification.