Transitioning Youth With Intellectual and Other Developmental Disabilities

Abstract

Community employment outcomes were examined for 338 transitioning youth with intellectual and other developmental disabilities in one state 18 months after exiting public school. All transitioning youth received ongoing Developmental Disability agency funding. The majority of transitioning youth (57.1%) were engaged in sheltered or nonwork activities. Only 14.2% were in integrated employment while 28.7% participated in other models of community work (e.g., enclaves, crews). Race/ethnicity, family expressed preference for paid work in the community, paid work experience, and self-management and community mobility skills were identified as predictors of community employment using multinomial logistic regression. Findings suggest the field should reexamine aspects of transition planning, including family engagement and work experience programs. Research and policy implications are also discussed.