Teaching Pre-Employment Skills to 14–17-Year-Olds

Joanne Lara, MA was a professional dancer before becoming a classroom education specialist and university professor. She was the founder of the nonprofit organization Autism Movement Therapy®, based in Los Angeles, California, which certifies, trains, and licenses dancers, educators, parents, and professional service providers in AMT. Joanne was a Core Adjunct Professor at National University in LA, California and taught weekly Autism Movement Therapy classes in Van Nuys, CA, where she had a private ABA behavioral consultation practice. She produced the documentary Generation A: Portraits of Autism and the ARTS, was the executive producer of the LA musical event Temple Grandin & Friends: Autism Works Now and was a columnist for Autism Asperger's Digest and Sensory World. Susan Osborne was the Director of Workplace Readiness at Autism Works Now where she created the curriculum and facilitated weekly classes for the original Workplace Readiness Workshop. She is the founder of Spectrum Help Coaching Services which focuses on post high school transition planning for young adults on the autism spectrum. She is the former programme director of a residential and academic support program where she facilitated career training and job placements and executive functioning support for young adults with autism. She is the mother of an adult son on the autism spectrum who graduated with a public high school diploma.

With this book, Joanne Lara and Susan Osborne present a comprehensive curriculum to prepare students with autism spectrum disorder to transition from school to employment. This interactive resource is an essential guide for teachers and caregivers working with young people to develop the necessary skills for getting and keeping a job.

• Foreword by Temple Grandin, PhD. Preface by Joanne Lara, MA. Introduction. PART ONE: Understanding Autism Works Now. 1. The Importance of Work. 2. Matching the Job to the Individual and Filling in the Blanks - How to Assess an Individual's Interests, Skills and Abilities for Job Placements and Workplace Paperwork. 3. Getting Organized with Goggle - Using Google's Free Apps to Stay Organized, On Time and In Communication. 4. Dress for Success - Knowing What to Wear to Make a Favorable Impression. 5. Interview Essentials: What to do Before, During and After a Job Interview. 6. Landing the Job - Where to Look, Networking and Creating a Professional Online Profile. 7. Connections are Key - Maintaining Positive Workplace Relations On and Off the Job. 8. Understanding the Workplace - Know Your Rights and How to Effectively Self-Advocate. PART TWO: Workshop Structure. 9. Behavior Behavior Behavior. 10. Group and Candidate Requirements. 11. Classroom Requirements. 12. Classroom Meetings. 13. Field Trips. 14. Instructional Materials. References.