Careers that Involve Working with Adults with Autism
Individuals who are interested in working with adults who have autism have a number of career possibilities to choose from. Below, we will explore five of these options by discussing which types of responsibilities are associated with each career as well as which type of educational requirements are necessary to be qualified.
| Job Title | Median Salary (2020)* | Job Growth (2019-2029)* |
|---|---|---|
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $37,530 | 10% |
| Social and Community Service Manager | $69,600 | 17% |
| Home Health Aide/Personal Care Aide | $27,080 | 34% |
| Adult Literacy/High School Equivalency Diploma Teacher | $55,350 | -10% |
| Social Worker | $51,760 | 13% |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Careers that Involve Working with Adults with Autism
Rehabilitation Counselor
As a rehabilitation counselor, you will be responsible for working with individuals who have various types of physical, mental, and developmental disabilities, which could include autism. Some of your duties could include working closely with clients to determine their strengths and weaknesses, help develop treatment plans so patients can deal with their autism effectively, and make sure that they are capable of living on their own. To become a rehabilitation counselor, you will generally need to have a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling.
Social and Community Service Manager
If you are interested in working in a managerial role that will also allow you to work with adults with autism, you could consider becoming a social and community service manager. In this role, you may be in charge of creating different types of community programs that are designed to specifically help adults who have autism. For example, you could create a program that helps autistic adults find employment or deal with various social challenges. To become a social and community service manager, you will need a bachelor's degree in a field like public health or social work.
Home Health Aide/Personal Care Aide
Home health and personal care aides generally work closely with individuals who are dealing with various types of disabilities. For an individual who is severely autistic, they may require the help of a home health or personal care aide to assist them in daily tasks, like scheduling appointments, cleaning, grocery shopping, and going to the doctor. To become a home health or personal care aide, you will typically need to have at least a high school diploma and some on-the-job training.
Adult Literacy/High School Equivalency Diploma Teacher
Some adults who have autism may not have followed a traditional educational path and may require the help of an adult literacy teacher or high school diploma equivalency teacher in order to learn how to read and write properly or earn their GED. These teachers specialize in working with adults and help them learn the skills necessary to be eligible for entry-level jobs. Some of these teachers may focus particularly on working with populations who have disabilities. To become an adult literacy or high school equivalency diploma teacher, you will typically need a bachelor's degree along with certification.
Social Worker
Social workers work with people who are going through a variety of different problems, from unemployment to addiction to mental illness. Some social workers may work with adults who have autism and connect them to different types of resources that are available to them in the community. Social workers often work with clients over a span of time, keeping a record of them and following up with clients later to check in and make sure they are doing well. To become a social worker, you will typically need a bachelor's degree in the field.
