Adults on the Autism Spectrum Can Benefit the Work Force: How One New Jersey Advocacy Agency Is Paving the Path to Employment

As people nationwide recognize the merit of observing October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month, more needs to be done to help interested adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) access jobs. ASDs affect 1 in 150 children nationally, and 1 in 94 in New Jersey, which has the nation's highest rate. One premier autism advocacy organization, the New Jersey Center for Outreach and Services for the Autism Community (COSAC), believes that the key to increasing work options for adults with autism centers on awareness and education. The agency's approach is twofold: rally the business community and educate families. This article describes how this agency is paving the path to employment.