Autistic young adults' vocational rehabilitation service use, characteristics, and employment outcomes from 2017 to 2020

Background: Autistic young adults have lower participation rates in vocational or technical education and lower employment compared to young adults with other disabilities. Objective: This study examines the characteristics, service use, and employment outcomes of autistic young adults ages 16 to 28 engaged with state Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies. Method: Regression-based models using 2017-2020 RSA-911 data for young adults ages 16 to 28 who applied for VR services. Results: A higher share of autistic young adult VR applicants were male or non-Hispanic White compared to young adult VR applicants with an intellectual disability or any other kind of disability. Almost half (49 percent) of all young adults on the autism spectrum who exited VR services were employed, compared to 44 percent of young adults with another kind of disability. Educational institutions were the most common source of referral among autistic young adult VR applicants, followed by self-referrals. There were notable differences in service use and outcomes by age, with fewer differences by sex and race/ethnicity. Conclusion: The characteristics of autistic young adult VR applicants underscore their need for supportive services and call for research to understand the causes of disparities to develop policy and practice to promote equitable VR access and outcomes.