Crisis Services
ASERT does not offer crisis services through our Resource Center. If you or someone you love is experiencing mental health distress or thoughts of suicide please call or text 988 for support.
Employment in PA
Welcome to the Pennsylvania Autism Needs Assessment Report!
This report contains data from the 2011 Pennsylvania Autism Needs Assessment and the 2018 Pennsylvania Autism Needs Assessment, which were conducted by the Autism, Services, Education, Resources, and Training Collaborative (ASERT) Eastern Region.
What is the ASERT Collaborative?
ASERT (Autism Services, Education, Resources and Training) is a partnership of medical centers, centers of autism research and services, universities, and other providers involved in the treatment and care of individuals of all ages on the autism spectrum and their families. ASERT was developed to bring together resources locally, regionally, and statewide. To learn more about ASERT visit: www.paautism.org.
What is the PA Autism Needs Assessment?
The first PA Autism Needs Assessment was completed in 2011. The 2011 survey was the largest and most comprehensive survey of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their caregivers in the nation, with over 3,500 participants. Because the population of autistic individuals continues to grow and change in our state, a new PA Autism Needs Assessment survey was completed in 2018. More than 8,000 autistic individuals and their caregivers completed the 2018 PA Autism Needs Assessment.
Why is the PA Autism Needs Assessment conducted?
The PA Autism Needs Assessment lets us learn about the needs and experiences of people on the autism spectrum and their families/caregivers. The information collected from the survey is intended for service providers, community organizations and leaders, and advocacy groups to better understand and address the needs of individuals on the spectrum in Pennsylvania.
Who completed the PA Autism Needs Assessment?
Adults (age 18 years and older) on the autism spectrum and family/caregivers of individuals of all ages completed the PA Autism Needs Assessment.
How was the PA Autism Needs Assessment conducted?
The 2011 PA Autism Needs Assessment is a statewide assessment conducted either as a paper survey completed by mail or online. The survey was distributed across Pennsylvania. The 2018 PA Autism Needs Assessment included two versions of the survey, one for individuals on the spectrum and another for family/caregivers and was translated into 14 languages.
Who should I contact if I have questions about the PA Autism Needs Assessment?
If you have questions about the PA Autism Needs Assessment, please contact the ASERT Resource Center: 877-231-4244 or info@paautism.org.
Employment in PA: What has changed?
From 2011 to 2018, the percent of individuals on the autism spectrum who were unemployed:
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- Fell from 66% to 49%
The top three challenges to finding a job in 2011 were:
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- finding employment opportunities
- obtaining interviews
- resume writing
Top three challenges to finding a job in 2018 were:
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- finding employment opportunities
- obtaining interviews
- interviewing
In 2018, the top 3 full-time jobs reported by respondents were:
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- office or administrative support
- food preparation or serving
- sales positions (including retail)
In 2018, the top 3 part-time jobs reported by respondents were:
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- food preparation or serving
- sales positions (including retail)
- office or administrative support
This information was developed by the Autism Services, Education, Resources, and Training Collaborative (ASERT). For more information, please contact ASERT at 877-231-4244 or info@PAautism.org. ASERT is funded by the Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations, PA Department of Human Services.