Pam Targett

Return to work for persons with traumatic brain injury.

Individuals with traumatic brain injuries experience an array of physical, cognitive, and emotional changes that often make return to preinjury employment unlikely and locating new employment difficult. The authors review the literature related to the return to work for persons with traumatic brain injuries. This includes return to work outcomes, factors influencing return to work, and vocational programs that enhance employment, including a supported employment approach. Guidelines for professionals engaged in supported employment practices are also provided.

Productive work and employment for persons with traumatic brain injury: what have we learned after 20 years?

This article describes return to work outcomes for individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) through a selective review of the published literature and an examination of TBI labor force participation from the Rehabilitation Services Administration 91l and the Social Security Administration Benefits Planning, Assistance and Outreach databases. Implications and recommendations to further our understanding about the different parts of the work outcome profile of individuals with TBI are offered.

Transition From School to Adulthood for Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorder: What We Know and What We Need to Know

Youth with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) experience poor outcomes in the areas of independence, employment, and postsecondary education. This article provides a critical review of the key aspects of the transition process and identifies recommendations for policy and practice. The review highlights the literature and explores recommendations across the manifold elements of this transition, including social and psychological development, high school curriculum, work, and college. Five policy recommendations are outlined in the areas of school curriculum, employment development, postsecondary education, inclusion with nondisabled peers, and systematic instruction. Finally, the authors offer recommendations for further research in the areas of social interaction, increased academic and vocational rigor, employment, technology, independence, and postsecondary education.

Helping persons with traumatic brain injury of minority origin: improve career and employment outcomes.

Racial and ethnic minorities have a disproportionately high rate of disability compared to white Americans, with African and Hispanic Americans overrepresented in all disability categories. Subsequently, the demand for quality employment and rehabilitation services for individuals with disabilities from minority racial or ethnic groups is increasing. In order to meet the increasing demands of minorities who are severely impaired, vocational rehabilitation professionals and other team members assisting those with traumatic brain injury (TBI) with employment need to become familiar with effective models of service delivery. This article reviews the literature related to return to work following TBI for minorities. A brief review of the supported employment for TBI and supported education literature is also provided. Afterwards, 2 case studies, illustrating the effectiveness of supported employment and educational services, are offered to show how minority individuals with severe TBI can return to work or college postinjury, when services are individualized to meet personal needs.

Return to work of individuals with arthritis: A review of job performance and retention

With so many people affected by arthritis and the significant impact it has on themselves and on their families, employers as well as on society, employment of individuals with arthritis is an important topic to consider. A review of literature was conducted to examine the issues that arise from arthritis, factors that influence work disability and employment retention, and interventions and services that are available to promote and retain employment for individuals with arthritis. In recent years, employers have begun to proactively intervene in terms of both prevention activities as well as provision of accommodation. Work disability is a common occurrence for individuals with arthritis and factors that influence work disability for those with arthritis include employment factors, employee factors, disease factors, and other factors such as access to health care and vocational rehabilitation. It is critical to consider the complex interaction of these factors in order for individuals with arthritis to remain productive and future research must consider all of these aspects when developing and implementing interventions.

Community needs assessment survey of people with spinal cord injury: an early follow-up study

This article presents preliminary data on community reintegration of a small sample of individuals who sustained spinal cord injury. Thirty-one individuals were surveyed on employment status, transportation, participation in community events, need for assistance with activities of daily living and utilization of community services and resources. Results revealed that there are relatively few ongoing issues that are disproportionately problematic with regards to returning to work and the community post-injury. Future follow-up studies need to be conducted to further our understanding of community reentry post-SCI.

Promoting transition to adulthood for youth with physical disabilities and health impairments

Post school outcomes for individuals with disabilities have been consistently poor, when compared to individuals without disabilities, in the areas of employment and education. This article takes a look at issues involved in the transition of youth with orthopedic or physical disabilities (OPD) and other health impairments (OHI). It begins with an overview of OPD and OHI students. This is followed by information on how to improve transition from school to work and postsecondary education outcomes through assessment; effective instruction; and individualized supports.