Employment needs of and barriers for Chinese youth and young adults with Autism Spectrum Conditions in Ontario, Canada

Hayley Hei Lam Cheng; Ashtyn Chau; Huberta Chan; Jackie Seto; Hayden Wong; Jeremiah So; Yvonne W Leung; Anna Victoria Wong; Theodore C K Cheung

doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2024.104729

Employment needs of and barriers for Chinese youth and young adults with Autism Spectrum Conditions in Ontario, Canada

Res Dev Disabil. 2024 Apr 17:149:104729. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2024.104729. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Hayley Hei Lam Cheng¹, Ashtyn Chau¹, Huberta Chan¹, Jackie Seto¹, Hayden Wong¹, Jeremiah So¹, Yvonne W Leung², Anna Victoria Wong¹, Theodore C K Cheung³

Affiliations

¹ Community Family Services of Ontario, Canada.
² Department of Applied Psychology, Bouve College of Health Sciences & College of Professional Studies, Northeastern University, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Canada.
³ Department of Psychiatry, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: teddy.cheung@sickkids.ca.

PMID: 38636251
DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2024.104729

Abstract

Background: Cultural-based literature focusing on Asian autistic immigrants living in Western countries is very limited.

Aims: The present study is a quality improvement exercise aiming to fill the gap by investigating the employment needs of and barriers for Chinese autistic youth and young adults in Ontario, Canada.

Methods & procedures: 71 individuals diagnosed with autism and 24 diagnosed with other mental illnesses, aged 12-29, participated in an online survey regarding their work readiness, work skills, interests, health and cultural concerns. Analyses were conducted to compare the autistic group and the mental health group.

Outcomes & results: Results show that the autistic sample has inferior (1) work habits related skills, (2) work style related skills, (3) level of independence, (4) skills to perform routine daily activities, (5) interpersonal skills at work, and (6) ability to tolerate visual and moving stimuli in the work environment. It is also found that the autistic group has more symptoms of depression, anxiety, and autism than that of the non-autistic group.

Conclusions & implications: The study shed light into the unique needs and barriers of Chinese autistic young adults and the service gap in supporting their transition to employment.

Keywords: Autism; Chinese; Employment; Transition; Young adults; Youth.