Research needs and priorities for transition and employment in autism: Considerations reflected in a “Special Interest Group” at the International Meeting for Autism Research

This publication is included in the Autistic Autism Scholarship Project. one author of this publication is identified as autistic in the project.

About the autistic author marker

Metadata sources used for this reference

OpenAlex Crossref BibTeX OpenCitations
Learn more about the sources used

Nicholas, D. B., Hodgetts, S., Zwaigenbaum, L., Smith, L. E., Shattuck, P., Parr, J. R., Conlon, O., Germani, T., Mitchell, W., Sacrey, L., & Stothers, M. E. (2016). Research needs and priorities for transition and employment in autism: Considerations reflected in a “Special Interest Group” at the International Meeting for Autism Research. Autism Research, 10(1), 15-24. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.1683

Publication date: 17 Oct 2016 Added to AutiHub: 16 Oct 2026 Type: Article Article language: English
Publisher source (DOI) OpenAlex source

This publication is integrated into AutiHub through:

Authors

Publication authors
11
Publication authors identified as autistic
1 / 11 (9.1%)
  1. David B. Nicholas
  2. Sandra Hodgetts
  3. Lonnie Zwaigenbaum
  4. Leann E. Smith
  1. Paul Shattuck
  2. Jeremy R. Parr
  3. Olivia Conlon
  4. Tamara Germani
  1. Wendy Mitchell
  2. Lori Sacrey
  3. M. E. Stothers *

Abstract

Research related to supports for adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is under‐developed. As an example, system and service development to support successful transition to adulthood and meaningful vocation for adults has received relatively little research scrutiny until recently, with practitioners and program developers lacking evidenceinformed approaches guiding service delivery. A Special Interest Group (SIG) was convened at the International Meeting for Autism Research in May 2014 and May 2015, with a focus on transitional and vocational issues in ASD. The SIG consisted of 120 international delegates, including self‐advocates, family members, researchers, program and policy developers, practitioners, and interdisciplinary ASD trainees. Following a summary of the literature, subgroups of attendees were convened in smaller groups to identify research needs and priorities. International researchers facilitated these discussions with notes taken in each subgroup. Using a qualitative analytic approach, key themes across groups were identified. These key themes, outlined in this paper, address the identified need to (a) advance research capacity; (b) build employer capacity relative to employing persons with ASD; and (c) enhance support resources for adults with ASD and their families. Heightened research activity guiding practice and policy, community/employer engagement, and person and family‐centered services were recommended. Implications for advancement and implementation are offered. Autism Res 2017, 10: 15–24. © 2016 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Bibliography cited by this reference

Cited references are imported from external metadata sources when they are available. The list may be partial.

Cited bibliography overview

These indicators describe the bibliography cited by this publication. An author name is counted each time it appears in one cited reference, so the same person can be counted more than once. Names not yet linked to an author already present in AutiHub are treated as unknown, not as non-autistic. Last computed: 17 Oct 2026 01:28.

Cited references
59
With a DOI
43
Without a DOI, from raw bibliography text
15
1 / 59 (1.7%) cited references include at least one author identified as autistic.
References with data to complete
7 / 59 (11.9%)
References with detected author names
52 / 59 (88.1%)
Without detected author names
7
Without a structured title
7
Without a stable identifier
15
References with raw author names still to review
7
References with external metadata lookup issues
1
These indicators apply to cited references displayed on this page, after technical duplicates have been merged. A reference without a DOI can still support author statistics when a title and author names are available.
Author names detected in the cited bibliography
152
From DOI or external metadata
152
From validated raw bibliography text
0
Raw names already validated
0
Raw names still to review
10
35 / 152 (23.0%) names are linked to an author already present in AutiHub. 117 / 152 (77.0%) names are not yet linked.
Names linked to a person identified as autistic
1 / 152 (0.7%)
Calculated across all author names detected in the cited bibliography. Among names linked to an author already present in AutiHub: 1 / 35 (2.9%). Distinct people identified as autistic: 1 / 143 (0.7%).
  1. Patricia Howlin , Philippa Moss (2012). Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders . The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 57(5), 275-283. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/070674371205700502 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W14179519
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  2. (n.d.). Academic Autistic Spectrum Partnership in Research and Education (AASPIRE). Study Updates. http://aaspire.org/(accessed January 15 2016).
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  3. Mette Asbjoern Neergaard , Frede Olesen , Rikke Sand Andersen , Jens Sondergaard (2009). Qualitative description – the poor cousin of health research? BMC Medical Research Methodology, 9(1), 52-52. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1186/1471-2288-9-52 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2098752671
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  4. Great Britain. Comptroller (2009). Supporting people with autism through adulthood . Medical Entomology and Zoology.
    Type: Article OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W595516635
    OpenAlex
  5. Alfonso Alba-Ramirez (1993). Mismatch in the Spanish Labor Market: Overeducation? The Journal of Human Resources, 28(2), 259. JSTOR.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.2307/146203 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1505123495
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  6. Marsha Mailick Seltzer , Paul Shattuck , Leonard Abbeduto , Jan S. Greenberg (2004). Trajectory of development in adolescents and adults with autism . Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Research Reviews, 10(4), 234-247. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1002/mrdd.20038 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2168261450
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  7. Melanie Whetzel (2014). Interviewing tips for applicants with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) . Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 40(2), 155-159. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.3233/jvr-140668 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1132333635
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  8. Allard A. (2009). Transition to adulthood: Inquiry into transition to adulthood for young people with autism. London UK: The National Autistic Society.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  9. Alissa Levy , Adrienne Perry (2011). Outcomes in adolescents and adults with autism: A review of the literature . Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 5(4), 1271-1282. Elsevier BV.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1016/j.rasd.2011.01.023 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2071242118
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  10. Eve Müller , Adriana Schuler , Barbara A. Burton , Gregory B. Yates (2003). Meeting the vocational support needs of individuals with Asperger Syndrome and other autism spectrum disabilities . Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 18(3), 163-175. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.3233/jvr-2003-00193 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1168441442
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  11. Mason Ameri , Lisa Schur , Meera Adya , Scott Bentley , Patrick McKay , Douglas Kruse (2015). The Disability Employment Puzzle: A Field Experiment on Employer Hiring Behavior . National Bureau of Economic Research. National Bureau of Economic Research.
    Type: Report DOI: 10.3386/w21560 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3123802908
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  12. Susanna Baldwin , Debra Costley , Anthony Warren (2014). Employment Activities and Experiences of Adults with High-Functioning Autism and Asperger’s Disorder . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44(10), 2440-2449. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-014-2112-z OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1980367882
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  13. Autism Speaks. (2009). Advancing futures for adults with autism: 2009 think tank report. http://www.afaa-us.org/atf/cf%7B3A65C524-1EB0-4098-97F5-88AB429252C6%7D/Think_Tank_Summary_Report.pdf
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  14. Swaran P. Singh , Moli Paul , Tamsin Ford , Tami Kramer , Tim Weaver , Susan McLaren et al. (2010). Process, outcome and experience of transition from child to adult mental healthcare: multiperspective study . British Journal of Psychiatry, 197(4), 305-312. Royal College of Psychiatrists.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.109.075135 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2157936277
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  15. Nachum Sicherman (1991). "Overeducation" in the Labor Market . Journal of Labor Economics, 9(2), 101-122. University of Chicago Press.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1086/298261 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1509034680
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  16. John Howard (2012). Workplace Violence and Aggression . WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation, 42(1), 1-2. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.3233/wor-2012-1319 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1578442035
    OpenAlex
  17. Beardon L.&Edmonds G. (2007). ASPECTconsultancy report: A national report on the needs of adults with Asperger syndrome. Sheffield: The Autism Centre Sheffield Hallam University.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  18. Mats Cederlund , Bibbi Hagberg , Eva Billstedt , I. Carina Gillberg , Christopher Gillberg (2008). Asperger Syndrome and Autism: A Comparative Longitudinal Follow-Up Study More than 5 Years after Original Diagnosis . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38(1), 72-85. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-007-0364-6 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2074156112
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  19. Beate Krieger , Astrid Kinébanian , Birgit Prodinger , Franziska Heigl (2012). Becoming a member of the work force: Perceptions of adults with Asperger Syndrome . Work, 43(2), 141-157. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.3233/wor-2012-1392 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1682525135
    OpenAlex
  20. Elspeth Bradley , Jane A. Summers , Hayley L. Wood , Susan E. Bryson (2004). Comparing Rates of Psychiatric and Behavior Disorders in Adolescents and Young Adults with Severe Intellectual Disability with and without Autism . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 34(2), 151-161. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1023/b:jadd.0000022606.97580.19 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1990326309
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  21. Julie Lounds Taylor , Melissa L. McPheeters , Nila A. Sathe , Dwayne Dove , Jeremy Veenstra‐VanderWeele , Zachary Warren (2012). A Systematic Review of Vocational Interventions for Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorders . Pediatrics, 130(3), 531-538. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1542/peds.2012-0682 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2137032366
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  22. Éric Racine , D. Larivière‐Bastien , E. Bell , A. Majnemer , M. Shevell (2013). Respect for autonomy in the healthcare context: observations from a qualitative study of young adults with cerebral palsy . Child: Care, Health and Development, 39(6), 873-879. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1111/cch.12018 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1883341114
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  23. Paul Shattuck , Sarah Carter Narendorf , Benjamin Cooper , Paul R. Sterzing , Mary Wagner , Julie Lounds Taylor (2012). Postsecondary Education and Employment Among Youth With an Autism Spectrum Disorder . Pediatrics, 129(6), 1042-1049. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1542/peds.2011-2864 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2128138260
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  24. H. McConachie , S. Hoole , Ann Le Couteur (2011). Improving mental health transitions for young people with autism spectrum disorder . Child: Care, Health and Development, 37(6), 764-766. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2214.2011.01238.x OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1911039629
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  25. Davies H. (2011). Transition from pediatric to adult health care for young adults with neurological disorder: parental perspectives . Canadian Journal of Neuroscience Nursing, 33, 32.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  26. Margarete Sandelowski (2000). Whatever happened to qualitative description? Research in Nursing & Health, 23(4), 334-340. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1002/1098-240x(200008)23:4<334::aid-nur9>3.0.co;2-g OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2159165123
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  27. Katherine Gotham , Alison R Marvin , Julie Lounds Taylor , Zachary Warren , Connie M Anderson , Paul A Law et al. (2015). Characterizing the daily life, needs, and priorities of adults with autism spectrum disorder from Interactive Autism Network data . Autism, 19(7), 794-804. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/1362361315583818 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1927816754
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  28. Ecotec (2010). Research study on age appropriate services for young people with neurodevelopmental disorders . Research study on age appropriate services for young people with neurodevelopmental disorders.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  29. Julia B. Stoner , Maureen E. Angell , Jennifer J. House , Stacey Jones Bock (2007). Transitions: Perspectives from Parents of Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) . Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 19(1), 23-39. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10882-007-9034-z OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2056744682
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  30. G. La Malfa , S. Lassi , M. Bertelli , R. Salvini , G. F. Placidi (2004). Autism and intellectual disability: a study of prevalence on a sample of the Italian population . Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 48(3), 262-267. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2788.2003.00567.x OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1978444163
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  31. Mayada Elsabbagh , Afiqah Yusuf , Shreya Prasanna , Keiko Shikako-Thomas , Crystal A Ruff , Michael G Fehlings (2014). Community engagement and knowledge translation: Progress and challenge in autism research . Autism, 18(7), 771-781. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/1362361314546561 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2114716272
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  32. Leann E. Smith , Kristy A. Anderson (2014). The Roles and Needs of Families of Adolescents With ASD . Remedial and Special Education, 35(2), 114-122. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/0741932513514616 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2160948464
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  33. Janet E. Graetz (2010). Autism grows up: opportunities for adults with autism . Disability & Society, 25(1), 33-47. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1080/09687590903363324 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2090497597
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  34. Hannah Kaufman, , Laurie Horricks, , Miriam Kaufman, (2010). Ethical considerations in transition . International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health, 22(4), 453-460. Walter de Gruyter GmbH.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1515/ijamh.2010.22.4.453 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1993462816
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  35. Dawn Hendricks (2010). Employment and adults with autism spectrum disorders: Challenges and strategies for success . Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 32(2), 125-134. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.3233/jvr-2010-0502 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2139103218
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  36. Johnny L. Matson , Mary Shoemaker (2009). Intellectual disability and its relationship to autism spectrum disorders . Research in Developmental Disabilities, 30(6), 1107-1114. Elsevier BV.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2009.06.003 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2015463602
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  37. Ashleigh Hillier , Heather Campbell , Karen Mastriani , Margo Vreeburg Izzo , Andrea K. Kool-Tucker , Laura Cherry et al. (2007). Two-Year Evaluation of a Vocational Support Program for Adults on the Autism Spectrum . Career Development for Exceptional Individuals, 30(1), 35-47. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/08857288070300010501 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2139377067
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  38. Karen Hurlbutt , Lynne Chalmers (2004). Employment and Adults With Asperger Syndrome . Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 19(4), 215-222. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/10883576040190040301 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2098807446
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  39. James Richards (2012). Examining the exclusion of employees with Asperger syndrome from the workplace . Personnel Review, 41(5), 630-646. Emerald.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1108/00483481211249148 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2030195263
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  40. Patricia Howlin (2000). Outcome in Adult Life for more Able Individuals with Autism or Asperger Syndrome . Autism, 4(1), 63-83. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/1362361300004001005 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2116132409
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  41. Anne M. Roux , Paul Shattuck , Benjamin P. Cooper , Kristy A. Anderson , Mary Wagner , Sarah C. Narendorf (2013). Postsecondary Employment Experiences Among Young Adults With an Autism Spectrum Disorder . Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 52(9), 931-939. Elsevier BV.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2013.05.019 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2048729054
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  42. Kreiger B. (2012). Becoming a member of the work force: perceptions of adults with Asperger syndrome . Work, 42, 1.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  43. Danaë Larivière-Bastien , Éric Racine (2011). Ethics in Health Care Services for Young Persons With Neurodevelopmental Disabilities . Journal of Child Neurology, 26(10), 1221-1229. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/0883073811402074 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2082174349
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  46. Lynne Moxon , Darren Gates (2001). Children with autism: Supporting the transition to adulthood . Educational and Child Psychology, 18(2), 28-40. British Psychological Society.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.53841/bpsecp.2001.18.2.28 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4315822318
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  47. Karrie A. Shogren , Anthony J. Plotner (2012). Transition Planning for Students With Intellectual Disability, Autism, or Other Disabilities: Data from the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 . Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 50(1), 16-30. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1352/1934-9556-50.1.16 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2120766444
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  48. National Audit Office (2009). Supporting people with autism through adulthood . Supporting people with autism through adulthood.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  49. David B. Nicholas , Mark Attridge , Lonnie Zwaigenbaum , Margaret Clarke (2015). Vocational support approaches in autism spectrum disorder: A synthesis review of the literature . Autism, 19(2), 1. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/1362361313516548 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2125310198
    Crossref OpenAlex
  50. Newcastle University. (2013). Proceedings of the 2013 Newcastle meeting on ASD Life Course and Ageing. http://research.ncl.ac.uk/adultautismspectrum/newsevents/Proceedings%20of%20the%202013%20Newcastle% 20meeting%20on%20ASD%20Lifecourse%20and%20Ageing.pdf
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  51. Nicholas D. B. &Roberts W. (2012). Autism Care Ontario findings. In On the Job: Advancing Vocational Opportunities for persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder Conference Toronto Canada.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  52. Parr J. (2016). Autism spectrum disorder in mid and later life . Autism spectrum disorder in mid and later life, 288.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  53. J Pinzon , J Harvey , Canadian Paediatric Society (2006). Care of adolescents with chronic conditions . Journal of Canadian Paediatric Society, 11(1), 43. Oxford University Press (OUP).
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1093/pch/11.1.43 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2184019312
    Crossref OpenAlex
  54. STANKOVA Tanja , TRAJKOVSKI Vladimir (2015). Attitudes And Opinions Of Employers, Employees And Parents About The Employment Of People With Autism In The Republic Of Macedonia . DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals), 11, 16-30. Zenodo.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.28302 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2243693845
    OpenAlex
  55. S.D. Wright , C. Wright (2017). AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER IN MID AND LATER LIFE . Innovation in Aging, 1(suppl_1), 1139-1139. Oxford University Press (OUP).
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igx004.4160 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2412976368
    OpenAlex
  56. Stankova T. (2010). Attitudes and opinions of employers, employees and parents about the employment of people with autism in the Republic of Macedonia . Journal of Special Education and Rehabilitation, 11, 16.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  57. Stuart‐Hamilton I. (2009). The circumstances and support needs of older people with autism: Final report . The circumstances and support needs of older people with autism: Final report.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  58. Wallace S. Parr J. &Hardy A. (2013). One in a hundred: Putting families at the heart of autism research. https://www.autistica.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/One-in-a-Hundred-Autisticas-Report.pdf .
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  59. P. John Williams (2010). One year on. National advisory council for children's mental health and psychological wellbeing . One year on. National advisory council for children's mental health and psychological wellbeing.
    Type: Other
    Crossref