Our Program not only prepares participants with valuable technical skills, but employment skills, experience and possible job opportunities.
Our Technology Training Program offers training modules that range from basic computer programs (Microsoft Office series) to the most popular programming languages allowing participants to gain and/or reinforce software skills from entry level up to advanced programming Certification levels.
By providing an environment with the right supports to meet each participant's individual needs, we are helping those with autism comfortably build their technical skills, as well as learn basic employment skills such as how to interact in an office environment, with management and co-workers, take ownership of their work, as well as feel pride in their accomplishments.
THE NEED
Autism is now the fastest growing and most common childhood disorder in the United States. In California, state statistics indicate that 84% of those with autism are currently under 22 years of age and have yet to reach the workforce or adult public assistance programs. More people with autism will be entering college and the job market in the coming years, and more programs, like NFAR's Technical Training Program, will be critical to helping support these transitions.
Individuals with high functioning autism tend to have the skills and abilities well suited for technical careers. They are highly intelligent, have a high attention to detail, and thrive in predictable and independent work environments.
Yet, even with all their strengths and skills, those with autism have been found to fare the poorest out of all disabilities post-high school. Recent research studies funded by the National Institutes for Mental Health (NIMH) and the Department of Education (DOE) have found that as many as 1 in 3 young adults with autism have no job experience, college, or technical education within seven years of leaving high school.
Social skills were found to be the biggest obstacle for young adults with autism to find employment or to succeed in college. By increasing autism awareness and understanding throughout the business community and creating supportive work environments for employees with autism, we will be able to better leverage the skills that emerge from their autism and enable them to thrive in today's workforce.
Adult Transition has been a major focus of NFAR's efforts over the past few years. We are committed to working toward finding avenues to help teens and young adults with autism flourish and creating new opportunities for them that will help them succeed throughout their lives. The Technical Training Program is just one of these initiatives.