School-to-work transition and Asperger Syndrome.

Asperger Syndrome (AS) is a pervasive developmental disorder characterized by underdeveloped social and communication skills. Despite the fact that most individuals with AS have average to above average cognitive abilities, characteristics of the disorder can cause extreme difficulties in these two domains. While increased attention has been given to the developmental characteristics and educational support needs of children with AS, few studies have focused on the psychosocial and vocational characteristics of emerging adults with AS and the supports they need to succeed in the workplace. This article examines the school-to-work transition of individuals with AS. Psychosocial and vocational characteristics of AS are identified and potential work challenges for these individuals are discussed. The article concludes with specific recommendations for facilitating successful school-to-work transitions for consumers with AS.

An ecological approach to facilitate successful employment outcomes among people with multiple chemical sensitivity.

Many adults with multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) must prematurely exit the workforce because of the severity of their MCS symptoms, the resulting disability stigma, and their unmet needs for on-the-job accommodations. To help individuals with MCS continue working or re-enter employment, rehabilitation professionals must understand the barriers resulting in unemployment and implement interventions to reduce or remove those barriers. In this article, the Ecological Model of Career Development is presented as a scheme for identifying barriers and implementing rehabilitation interventions to improve the employment outcomes among people with MCS.

Multiple chemical sensitivity and workplace discrimination: the national EEOC ADA research project.

Information from the Integrated Mission System of the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) was used to investigate the employment discrimination experiences of Americans with multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) in comparison to Americans in a general disability group with allergies, asthma, HIV, gastrointestinal impairment, cumulative trauma disorder and tuberculosis. Specifically, the researchers examined demographic characteristics of the charging parties; the industry designation, location, and size of employers against whom allegations were filed; the nature of discrimination (i.e., type of adverse action) alleged to occur; and the legal outcomes or resolutions of these allegations. Findings indicate that persons with MCS were, on average, older than the comparison group and comparatively overrepresented by Caucasians and women. People with MCS were proportionally more likely than the comparison group to allege discrimination related to reasonable accommodations. People with MCS were proportionally more likely than the comparison group to file allegations against employers in the manufacturing and public administration industries, employers with 201-500 workers, and employers in the Western Census region. People with MCS were proportionally more likely than the comparison group to receive non-merit resolutions as a result of the EEOC's Americans with Disabilities Act Title I investigatory process. Implications for policy and advocacy are addressed.

Perceived strengths and weaknesses in employment policies and services among people with multiple sclerosis: results of a national survey.

More than 1,300 individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) responded to an employment concerns survey. The results from this survey served as the topics of discussion for seven focus groups including people with MS and service providers in four states. Recommendations to improve the employment outcomes of people with MS that emerged from these discussions clustered in three areas: employment policies and practices, Social Security benefits, and healthcare. Strategies for preserving strengths in employment supports for people with MS clustered in two areas, access to respectful service providers and personal control.