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Job Path's newest initiative, Life-Coaching for Young Adults with High-Functioning Autism, is finding innovative ways to help young adults reach their potential through college attendance, work, volunteer positions, meaningful community activities and living in appropriate residential settings.
Jon is a recent high school graduate and passionate collector of miniature fantasy figures. He is also a savvy seller on eBay, where he auctions items from his collection to make room for new additions. When we met Jon, he was looking for ways to leverage his hobby into a paid position while trying to make more meaningful social and community connections. Job Path worked with Jon, contacting gaming stores in New York about possible employment opportunities. Jon landed a great job that matches his skills and interests. Currently, he handles all aspects of eBay sales for one of New York's top gaming stores -- from listing items to communicating with buyers to shipping merchandise. Jon has been working with a Job Path coach, who helps him understand the social dynamics of the workplace while assisting him with the technical side of the job. Jon has become a master with a tape gun! Jon's busy schedule is rounded out by a weekly meeting with his support worker to visit other gaming stores, explore New York's Goth community, and learn to travel on New York City buses. Jon is gaining social skills, learning how to navigate the world AND earning a paycheck.
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In the fall of 2006, Job Path launched Life-Coaching for Young Adults with High-Functioning Autism to address the needs of this drastically underserved population. The program's rationale is simple: individuals with high-functioning autism can reach their potential with the right types of support. The Life-Coaching Team offers young adults intensive life planning and assistance to define their goals and develop plans of action. Then we begin implementing these plans. One individual may need a mentor to help him transition to college life. Another person may need support connecting to volunteer jobs and social and recreational activities in her community. Others may wish to work and need support and coaching to find a job, learn the required tasks, and adjust to the workplace. Support is based on the specific needs of each individual. Our life coaches are a consistent, stable presence in the lives of individuals as they undertake this journey.
Another key feature of the program is a social understanding group. Members meet every other week to develop and strengthen social connections and discuss issues of common interest. Dating and workplace etiquette are just two topics the group has chosen to address.
Young adults (18 or older) who reside in New York City and have a diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome, High-Functioning Autism, or Pervasive Developmental Disorder can receive life coaching from Job Path. Individuals need not have OMRDD funding to participate.
The Life-Coaching Program is supported by a grant from the Daniel
Jordan Fiddle Foundation.
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