Pennsylvania program prepares young adults with autism for work

From The Herald in Sharon, Pa.:

MERCER COUNTY, Pa. — On any given Tuesday night, St. Michael’s Harbour Inc. in Hermitage serves as a haven for about 10 young adults with autism spectrum disorder who are delving into the world of work.

That’s when the peer groups meet as part of the agency’s Transition to Adulthood Program. The 20-somethings get together to talk about their trials and triumphs and share a few laughs.

They’re just like any other young adults hoping to find a job that they like where they can make a living. They just need a little help to get there.

“With autism, you see things in a different light,” said John Dutcher, 25, of Sharon. “Autism is not a bad thing.”

Autism spectrum disorders cover a broad range of symptoms and affect social skills. Most members of the group have Asperger’s syndrome, a high-functioning form of autism.

The common ground with all on the spectrum is they “don’t have the code” to navigate relationships, program director Christina Long said. The goal of the program is to help them create that code and find success, she said.

Dutcher, who works at Walmart in Hermitage, credits the program with turning his life around.

“I used to be, basically, a nobody,” he said, adding that his success is a “monument to the program.”

“I don’t know where I’d be without this program. I’d probably be under a bridge or on the street,” said Dutcher.

Finding a job in these trying economic times can be tough, but Ms. Long said the program’s staff has created good relationships with area businesses that have partnered with St. Michael’s Harbour to give the young people a chance to succeed.

They share the individual’s personal story and once that connection is made, employers can identify with the young adult, Ms. Long said.

“A lot of people know someone or someone who knows someone with autism,” she said. “(The employers) understand how they need this opportunity to shine.”

Michael Mondak (pictured), 23, of Hermitage, is heading into his final year at Penn State Shenango and works at Dunham’s Sports in the Hermitage Towne Plaza.

“They’re actually paying me — real money!” Mondak said, to laughs from the rest of the group.

A bit of a cutup, Mondak is also majoring in business management at Penn State Shenango, where he came “this close” to making the Dean’s List — something he said he couldn’t have done without the program.

Aaron Durst, 26, of Greenville recently started a job at T.J. Maxx, which he said he likes.


Durst has autism and Ms. Long said he didn’t speak much before he started the program. Now he said the thing he enjoys most about his job is working with other people.

“He’s always surprising us,” Ms. Long said.

Many members of the group said the program was a great boost to their motivation. And it’s a place where they’ve made friends.

David Van Ord, 21, of Wheatland, is looking for a new job after one at a restaurant didn’t suit him. He’s filled out about 50 applications in six weeks.

“Things takes time,” said Van Ord, who said he wants to do something with his life to help people deal with their problems after he’s learned how himself.

Learning what you don’t want to do is useful, too. And it’s important to note that you might be good at things you don’t enjoy and not so good at things you do, Ms. Long said.

“This process is not always smooth sailing,” Ms. Long reminded the group. “There’ll be pitfalls. We’re here to help.”

Finding the right match and persevering is the key, she said.

During the week the clients are in contact with job coaches who help them evaluate what types of jobs might be good for them and then help them find those jobs, vocational rehabilitation specialist Shawn Blakeny said. The job coaches help them get acclimated and keep in touch with supervisors once the clients are on their own.

Blakeny said that they also help with money management, transportation and housing.

The program started last year through a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Bureau of Autism Services and has been a success. But the funding for this year was cut, like many other social service programs.

“We made a promise to our adults and to ourselves so we’re going to do our best to keep supporting them,” said Ms. Long. She said they’ve applied for additional funding and are accepting donations for the program, which is free for clients.

Mercer County ranks 3rd for prevalence of autism out of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties, according to data by the Department of Public Welfare. Only Warren County and Pike County near New York City have a higher rate of incidence. There may be more who aren’t diagnosed.

“They’re out there. We just have to find them so we can help them,” Ms. Long said.