Achieving competitive, customized employment through specialized services (ACCESS)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of research regarding employment services for adults with autism. Interventions typically focus on adapting behaviors of the person rather than customized approaches and environmental adaptations that may improve employment matching and ongoing, competitive employment rates. OBJECTIVE: The ACCESS intervention protocolizes the customized employment (CE) process and has the potential to optimize employment outcomes in adults with autism. Lessons learned during the implementation of the Phase I open trial are presented. METHODS: The study utilizes a randomized pre-test post-test experimental control group design. Phase I-open trial (N = 10) of the study tested feasibility and acceptability of the ACCESS intervention. Phase II-randomized controlled trial (N = 30) will test preliminary efficacy of an amended intervention protocol. RESULTS: Findings from the open trial suggest the need for a revised recruitment strategy and an extended timeframe for the intervention. Thorough screening of practitioners and assessing participants' work motivation may reduce attrition. CONCLUSION: An evidence-based, user-friendly process that employs well-trained practitioners is critical to successful implementation of CE services with fidelity and consistency. A collaborative approach to training, implementation, documentation, evaluation, and pre and post-employment supports is essential to promote an effective and sustainable intervention.

Interventions for improving employment outcomes for persons with autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review update

“…Interventions designed to improve the employment outcomes for individuals with ASD are varied and multifaceted. Interventions can be broadly categorized as aiming to improve access to employment or success in their employment settings, or both within a comprehensive intervention package such as supported employment or customized employment (Baker‐Ericzén et al, 2018 ; Smith et al, 2019 ; Wehman et al, 2018 ). Across the developmental spectrum, these interventions may target individuals ranging from those transitioning from secondary or postsecondary schooling to the workforce or individuals maintaining their employment status.…”

Supported employment and customized employment: How effective are these interventions and what has been their impact on the field?

“…In a recent update to this review, Riesen and colleagues ( 2023) included an additional 8 data-based articles on CE (Inge et al, 2018;Jones et al, 2020;Riesen et al, 2019: Riesen et al, 2018aRiesen et al, 2018b;Riesen & Morgan, 2018;Shogren et al, 2017;Smith et al, 2019). The full collection of 18 data-based articles (i.e., 2001 through 2021) was then examined for level of scientific documentation pointing to CE as an evidenced-based practice.…”

Achieving competitive, customized employment through specialized services for Veterans with spinal cord injuries (ACCESS-Vets): A randomized clinical trial protocol

“…Employed Veterans with SCI have greater social integration, productivity, and participation (Ottomanelli et al, 2013), all highly valued outcomes for Veterans (Cotner, Ottomanelli, O'Connor, Njoh et al, 2018). (Smith et al, 2019;Wehman et al, 2016;Citron et al, 2008;Luecking et al, 2008;Ellison et al, 2008;Luecking et al, 2006;Staines et al, 2004) with autism spectrum disorders (Smith et al, 2019).…”