School systems spend millions of dollars in an attempt to provide education and training that will help intellectually disabled students successfully transition to meaningful employment. However, most of these students are either unable to attain or maintain employment for more than brief periods. The breakdow in occupational performance invloves multiple factors, including social skills, personal organization, lack of support in the workplace, difficulties performaing tasks, issues with work pace, travel issues, and stress. Those who are unable to sustain jobs pay mental, emotional, and psychosocial costs for this occupational alienation. In addition, caregivers, families, and society bear the physical and financial responsibility for their care. This program will identify some of the performance skills needed for successful employment, and will provide evidence-based interventions that occupational therapists can utilize during the transition planning stage of secondary school.
