The Integrated and Disability Health Program of AUSL Bologna. The Alstom experience for employment access in high functioning autism spectrum disorders.

Abstract

The Integrated and Disability Health Program (IDHP) of Bologna deals with the assessment and treatment of both young and adults with high and low functioning autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The IDHP and Alstom Ferroviaria SPA started a highly innovative project for the employment of young adults diagnosed with high functioning ASD. The project consisted of a six months' internship, for a total amount of 560 hours, and a renewal for another 6 months and involved a group of 5 young adults with high-functioning ASD, aged between 18 and 42 years, coming from Bologna or the suburbs. During the internship, a job coach trained in autism spectrum disorders was provided by IDHP. The intervention was based on Behavioral Skills Training (BST). As a result, the following advantages of BST model were found: very effective in small group; learning occurred by observation and modelling, feedback was received by the trainer and other group members.