Empowering Autistic Adults: Behavioral Skills Training to Teach Workplace Skills

Jacob, a 19-year-old student enrolled in a public school district’s 18+ special education transition program, has a strong desire to work in the community. Diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Jacob demonstrates relative strengths in visual processing and social engagement, but he experiences challenges in initiating tasks, completing routines, and generalizing learned skills. For Jacob, employment readiness is not just a long-term goal; it is a pathway toward independence, personal agency, and social connection. Like many young autistic adults, Jacob is best supported by explicit instruction and structured support to learn and maintain job-related skills that are often taken for granted in traditional workplace preparation.