Storying Transition-to-Work for/and Youth on the Autism Spectrum in the United States: A Critical Construct Synthesis of Academic Literature

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2016

Keywords

Autism, work, social construction, systematic review, transition

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2016.1205474

Abstract

We explored how academic literature constructs the ‘worker with autism.’ Drawing on a systematic review of transition to work for youth with disabilities, we analyzed how 17 articles constructed ‘autism,’ ‘work,’ and the ‘worker with autism.’ We identified two argumentative approaches: the intervention story and the complex story. Intervention stories centered autism as a problem in need of treatment and work as a simple, positive endeavor. Complex stories offered various and more positive accounts of autism alongside broader notions of work. We recommend that academics experiment with writing which expands work (and career) possibilities for youth situated on the autism spectrum.

Was this content written or created while at USF?

Yes

Citation / Publisher Attribution

Disability & Society, v. 31, issue 6, p. 777-797

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