Association for Behavior Analysis International

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” is a difficult question for most people, let alone those who received a diagnosis between the 1990s and 2000s. They are adults now, and we need to look at how to support them in the next chapters of their life. This calls for investigation of multiple factors, like family and vocational systems and how behavioral principles intertwine, to help individuals with autism answer that age-old question. Next we need to determine the steps and resources necessary to help these individuals turn that answer into a reality. How can motivating operations and environmental manipulations set the stage for meaningful employment connected to preferences, skills, talents, and interests? What do pre-vocational and vocational goals look like? This paper will focus on what conversations need to be had between families, teachers, and employers, while relying on research and data to guide teams with the most useful and usable recommendations.