What is Supported Employment and How Can It Empower Your Adult Child?
When your child with IDD reaches adulthood, you naturally start thinking about their future. You’ve always wanted your loved one to live a life filled with purpose, and meaningful work is a big part of that. A job offers a sense of value, connection, and independence. Yet, navigating the journey of finding and keeping employment can sometimes feel daunting.
Many people think a job has to be a simple, repetitive task for someone with a disability.But supported employment is a way for your adult child to find meaningful work in their community. It's about matching their skills and interests with a purposeful job in a regular workplace.
This approach provides the ongoing support they need to succeed and truly thrive in their chosen profession So, how can supported employment make a difference in your family's life? Let’s explore more details together.
What Is Supported Employment?
Supported Employment helps individuals with disabilities find meaningful jobs within the community. With guidance from a job coach or employment specialist, participants receive the ongoing support they need to succeed and grow in an integrated work environment.
Instead of placing your adult child in a special needs workshop, supported employment focuses on finding a regular job. This model is all about helping adults with IDD gain experience as an active member of their community. It's a proven method for success and it's built on a few important principles.
The foundation of supported employment rests on four core principles:
- Individualized Approach: Supported employment services focus on your adult child's specific talents, interests, and goals. Guidance is customized to fit their needs, it's not a one-size-fits-all plan.
- Open Labor Market: The goal is for your adult child to get a job in a real-world and within an integrated environment. These jobs are not made up, they are meaningful positions with the opportunity to work alongside people without disabilities, earning a real wage.
- Ongoing Assistance: The support doesn't end once your adult child is hired. A job coach or employment specialist provides ongoing help for as long as they need it. This could be helpful with learning new tasks, navigating social situations at work, or even just checking in to make sure things are going well.
- Collaborative Partnership: This process t involves your adult child, a dedicated support team, and the employer all working together. The goal is to build a positive and successful relationship where everyone feels supported.
How Supported Employment Works
Supported employment works by first assessing a job seeker's skills and interests (vocational profiling). An employment specialist then helps them find a job in the open labor market. The specialist provides on-the-job training and ongoing support to both the employee and employer to ensure job success in an inclusive setting.
The approach provides a smooth transition into the workforce. The goal is to match each person with the right job and equip them with the tools and guidance they need to succeed long-term.
The journey to meaningful employment often follows four practical steps:
1. Job Matching
The first step is understanding your adult child’s interests, strengths, and aspirations. With this insight, an employment specialist can guide them toward job opportunities in the community that are both meaningful and well-matched.
2. Job Coaching
Once a job is secured, a job coach provides on-site training. Training could include anything from learning the specifics of the job to assisting with social skills and workplace communication. The coach is there to help your adult child build confidence and independence.
3. Employer Support
The process also extends to employers who partner with employment specialists to build welcoming, inclusive workplaces. This includes answering questions, offering guidance, and equipping your adult child with the tools to support their success.
4. Ongoing Assistance
The support doesn't stop once your adult child is comfortable. The team provides continued help for as long as it's needed. It could mean guiding them through obstacles as they arise and checking in to ensure the job remains a source of joy and growth.
Benefits of Supported Employment
Supported employment benefits individuals with IDD by promoting economic independence and improving their quality of life through meaningful work.
Supported employment is a great way to help your adult child build a career, all while offering new opportunities for growth and happiness. It can also be a wonderful experience for the family and the employer, as everyone learns and grows together.
Better Job Performance and Skills: A dedicated job coach supports your loved one every step of the way, helping them learn their role and build new skills with confidence.
The Right Job Match: The process focuses on making sure a job that aligns with your loved ones passions and leads to long-term success.
Inclusive Workplaces: Supported employment helps create more diverse and welcoming work environments. It breaks down barriers and shows that a diverse workforce is a strong workforce.
A Greater Sense of Purpose: Having a job fosters self-worth and empowers your loved one to become more independent, building a life on their own terms.
Is Supported Employment Right for Your Family?
Every family’s journey looks different, and choosing the right support for your adult child is a deeply personal decision. Supported employment can be a meaningful option if your child desires to work in the community, build independence, and thrive in a role that celebrates their unique strengths.
This approach provides steady guidance, encouragement, and the tools needed to succeed long-term. With the help of an employment specialist, your child can explore career interests and step into a workplace where they feel valued and included.
The best place to begin is with an open conversation: What excites them about the future? Do they have a dream job or a passion they’d love to try? Supported employment may be the bridge that helps turn those hopes into reality.
Build a Brighter Future
In summary, supported employment can open doors for your adult child to discover meaningful work and activate their strengths through a job. To learn more, we invite you to download our Supported Employment Guide today.
Download Your FREE Supported Employment Guide!
What is Supported Employment and How Can It Empower Your Adult Child?
Direct Support
Professionals
Individuals Served
Since 2010
