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Vocational rehabilitation experiences of transition-age youth with autism spectrum disorder across states: Prioritizing modifiable factors for research
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Vocational rehabilitation experiences of transition-age youth with autism spectrum disorder across states: Prioritizing modifiable factors for research

Anne M. Roux, Kristy A. Anderson, Jessica E. Rast, Derek Nord and Paul T. Shattuck
Journal of vocational rehabilitation, v 49(3), pp 309-325
01 Jan 2018

Abstract

Life Sciences & Biomedicine Rehabilitation Science & Technology
BACKGROUND: Tremendous state-level variation exists in the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) service experiences of transition-age youth with autism spectrum disorder (TAY-ASD). Individual-level factors alone have not adequately explained differences in VR service utilization and employment outcomes for these youth, and the socio-demographic and economic state-level factors examined to date are largely non-modifiable. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify and prioritize modifiable state-level policies and practices that may affect VR service utilization and outcomes of TAY-ASD. METHODS: We used a modified, two-round Delphi approach with 12 subject matter experts within this mixed methods study. RESULTS: Twenty-three factors of VR service use and outcomes were rated in the top half of importance scores - most of which were also in the top half of modifiability scores. These factors were organized into five themes regarding capacity, efficient and effective VR processes, innovation, inter-agency efforts, and staff training and competency. All participants agreed that these themes captured the main types of factors that might be driving state-level variability in VR outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified key themes and modifiable factors for investigation within next-step research. Studying these themes and factors may enable researchers to learn from what is working in some states to enhance employment outcomes for TAY-ASD.

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Rehabilitation
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