Toward the development of a supported employment program for individuals with high-functioning autism in Germany

Traduction partielle: G.M.

Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2013 Sep 28.

Vers l'élaboration d' un programme d'emploi aidé pour les personnes avec autisme à haut fonctionnement cognitif en Allemagne

Vogeley K, Kirchner JC, Gawronski A, van Elst LT, Dziobek I.

Source

Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Cologne, Kerpener Strasse 62, 50924, Cologne, Germany, kai.vogeley@uk-koeln.de

Abstract

Human-human interactions are of central relevance for the success in professional and occupational environments, which also substantially influence quality of life. This is especially true in the case of individuals with high-functioning autism (HFA), who experience deficits in social cognition that often lead to social exclusion and unemployment. Despite good education and high motivation, individuals with HFA do not reach employment rates that are substantially higher than 50 %. This is an alarmingly high rate of unemployment considering that the United Nations have recently emphasized the inclusion of handicapped persons as a mandatory human right. To date, the specific needs of autistic persons with respect to their working environment are largely unexplored. It remains moreover an open question how support systems and activities, including newly developed communication devices for professional environments of individuals with HFA, should look like. The German health and social care systems are not adequately prepared for the proper support of this population. This leads us to suggest that supported employment programs should be developed for adults with HFA that specifically address their needs and requirements. 

Ces programmes devraient comprendre 

1.  l'évaluation adéquate du haut niveau de fonctionnement (HFA), y compris un profil neuropsychologique et une adaptation individuelle des préférences des personnes avec les exigences du lieu de travail, 
2. des activités d'accompagnement sur le travail qui incluent la communication systématique et la formation de l'interaction, et 
3.  la formation des pairs non-autistes, y compris des collègues et des superviseurs, sur les faiblesses et les forces de HFA.

PMID: 24077909