Employment centre for adults with autism opens

[Geordie]

http://autism.org.sg/press/2012/pr120320-today-e2c.pdf

SINGAPORE - Adults with autism can now have more support in their search for employment, as the Autism Resource Centre (ARC) officially launched its Employability and Employment Centre yesterday.

The centre is the first of its kind to provide an employment service to adults with autism here. It aims to help them with the assessment of learning strengths, training of vocational skills, job placements and support at the workplace.

Over the next three years, it hopes to help some 100 adults with autism, said ARC president and Member of Parliament Denise Phua.

A pilot programme began in the middle of last year and currently has 16 clients at various stages of the programme.

Eligible persons must be above 16 years of age and be a Singapore citizen with Autism Spectrum Disorder as the primary disability.

Employability training lasts for six months on average, while the duration of job support varies for each individual depending on their readiness at the time of assessment.

Programme fees have not been finalised by the ARC, but they will be subsidised during the first year. First-year fees for the pilot ranged from S$100 to S$250 each month.

The centre has 10 members, including one senior manager, three assessors and six job coaches to help adults with autism.

While it seeks to increase their employability and help them succeed in their placements, Ms Phua felt the centre cannot do it alone.

"Other critical success factors include the quality of education during their school years and thereafter; and good family support in helping their children develop more independent daily living skills so they can be more employable," she said.