CAREER CONNECT: A Collaborative Employment Resource Model for University Students with ASD

Individuals on the autism spectrum need additional assistance with employment-based services/supports that capitalize on their strengths. The U.S. Department of Labor developed a toolkit for the Employment First Initiative; however, there remains minimal assistance for individuals in higher education. A model highlighting collaboration between disability services, the career center, and mental health counseling that develops a cycle of support, referral, and employment targeting disability-focused employment programs are described. As more students with Autism Spectrum Disorder [ASD] have aspirations for higher education, it is imperative that college-based support services address the career development needs of these students (Mynatt, Gibbons, & Hughes, 2013). While there have been many improvements over the past decade with respect to special education and multidisciplinary treatment interventions, post-secondary transitions to employment for individuals with ASD remain fraught with challenges.