2015 TASH Conference

This case study research explored a parent's experience supporting her son with low functioning autism's achievement of a career goal through transition from school to work. The analysis of data focused on emerging major themes to construct effective strategies to support the youth with autism for reaching a career goal within integrated employment. OBJECTIVES: The experience of transition from high school to work is difficult for students with disabilities, especially autism. The majority of youths with autism are more likely to experience working within segregated environments or simply be unemployed. The purpose of this case study was to understand a parent's experiences preparing and supporting a youth with autism from a school setting to work in a local business. At this stage in the research, support would generally be defined as useful strategies for developing employment skills on the part of a parent's contributions to her youth with autism. IMPORTANCE: The parent's role has a significant impact on their child's development. Hence, the parents who have high stress levels and low expectations for their child's future life can negatively affect the students' abilities to succeed in job performance and independent skills (Newsome, 2000). TRANSLATING TOPIC INTO POSITIVE OUTCOMES: Recently, having a child with autism is raising the rates of parental concerns with stress, depression, and other emotions surrounding the disorder. Parents are more likely to carry lower expectations towards their child's success (Anan, Warner, McGillivary, Chong & Hines, 2008). Lecavalier, and Wiltz (2006) found that a group of parents of children with autism had higher stress levels than a group of parents of children with other disabilities. The relationship between the child's behavioral challenges and the parents' stress increases the negative outcomes of emotional reactions within families (Herring, Gray, Taffe, Tonge, Sweeney & Einfeld, 2006). FINDINGS: The results of this study revealed the potential benefits to guide various strategies and techniques for support youths with autism. The parent's experiences of supporting her son from high school to integrated employment, her story are delineated by divided into three period times as the follow: 1) always in my dream, 2) seek transition program and vocational opportunity, and 3) gain knowledge in special education. Four major themes also are found, including: setting the goal, beliefs, providing opportunities, keeping discipline, and being consistent. The value of integrated employment is revealed as providing the opportunity for making friendships, being a good citizen, and creating valuable experiences.