Impact Factor:3.639 | Ranking:Psychology, Developmental 10 out of 68 | 5-Year Impact Factor:3.

829 | 5-Year
Ranking:Psychology, Developmental 13 out of 68
Source:2014 Journal Citation Reports® (Thomson Reuters, 2015)

The Outcome of a Supported Employment Scheme for

High-Functioning Adults with Autism or Asperger
Syndrome
1. Lynn Mawhood
1. St George's Hospital Medical School, London, UK
1. Patricia Howlin
1. St George's Hospital Medical School, London, UK

Abstract
The article describes the outcome of a 2 year supported employment project for high-functioning adults with
autism. Thirty individuals with a diagnosis of autism or Asperger syndrome living within the London area took
part in the scheme. The control group comprised 20 individuals of similar intellectual and linguistic ability,and
previous employment history, living in metropolitan areas out-side London. Over the course of the project
significantly more of the supported group than the controls found work; job levels were higher; they were in work
for a greater percentage of the time; and they received significantly higher wages. Thirteen different employers
(mostly multinational companies) were involved during the course of the project and several were willing to take
more than one employee because of their positive experience of employing someone with autism. Although
existing resources within the disability employment service hadnot previously been able to provide effective job
finding and support services for this group, the current scheme demonstrated that, with specialist input, supported
employment can be very effective. Moreover the costs, although initially high, reduced significantly over time.
One of the most expensive and time-consuming aspects of the scheme, but one that appeared to be crucial for
success, was the need for close liaison with employers in order to explore appropriate job opportunities and to
match these carefully to the skills and abilities of individual clients. However, although some elements of the
scheme can continue to be supported through government funding, no financial provision is available for this
initial and essential stage of job finding. If programmes of this kind are to continue to provide help for individuals
with autism, it is crucial that such funding is provided.
 Asperger syndrome

 autism

 employment

 supported employment

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