The Autism Society Event and Education Recordings Archive

Planning for Your Future:  Self-determination and Motivation as Indicators of Workplace Success, by GRASP President/CEO Kate Palmer, MA, CCP, CAS, is an important and necessary presentation designed to promote the independence of adults and young adults with ASD.  Individuals with ASD can be productive contributors to the workforce, but are many times not equipped with the self-determination and motivation it takes to get and keep a job.  For individuals with ASD, it is vital for each person to have an active role in making decisions based on his/her own preferences and interests.  Each person should also be able to set goals and plan for his/her future, including employment, thereby increasing quality of life.  In order to be successful in the workplace, and in other aspects of life, each person needs to feel he/she has the ability and opportunity to make choices and decisions, to exercise control over services, supports, and other assistance, to participate in and contribute to their communities, and to obtain needed services for success.  The understanding of these concepts will be in a visual, engaging format and achieved by the proper explanation of terms, literature and real-world references, and concrete examples including video clips of workplace interactions for discussion and analysis.  The importance of this presentation rests in the need for ASD Individuals to be active in their own independence, both personally and in the work environment, at whatever level is appropriate to their own needs.  With each ASD Individual being a catalyst for his/her own life, the personal, social, and occupational lives of each person becomes as important and valid as any other person.  As a result, ASD Individuals, Families, and Society will benefit greatly from the inclusion of self-determination and motivation in the area of employment for Individuals with ASD.