Career Planning
Every JoyDew member has a set of strengths that can be harnessed to build practical skills. JoyDew has developed a proprietary methodology to identify the strengths and support needs of each person, create a personalized plan, explore relevant interests and prepare for work with basic job training, and then train for specific jobs. Once they are deemed ready, they are employed by the organization as part of a team to work on various projects for clients. As they complete projects, the process is repeated and refined as the member becomes more proficient at the work.
The two underlying assumptions guiding this practice are: 1) most autistic individuals will need to learn how to communicate, as communication is critical for helping strengths flourish, and 2) JoyDew will need to overcome their lack of education, since most autistic adults did not receive adequate proper education in a school system ill-equipped to meet their unique needs. Thus, JoyDew is filling the gaps continuously.
Strengths Assessment
The first step in the process is to determine each person’s special gifts using JoyDew’s proprietary assessment tool. By completing the Strengths Identification Inventory Questionnaire, the candidate and their parents, teachers, and others who know them help produce a sample of that individual’s own unique qualities and learning style. This is later supplemented by the JoyDew staff based on their initial interactions with the member to build a personalized abilities database.
Once the questionnaires have been received, interviews take place with the learners/members and teachers, or other involved professionals to gain valuable, first-person input. A multi-disciplinary team reviews the material and analyzes the data identifying the unique abilities and potential strengths of each learner. Finally, a Strengths Identification Inventory Report is created. The Strengths Assessment Process is done twice annually in the first two years, and once every year thereafter.
Learn More
Personalized Plan
Information from the Strengths Identification Inventory and Support Map is used in the initial evaluation to create a comprehensive, personalized plan. This protocol was developed based on recent research from multiple resources and is optimized for adults with autism. The completed plan will evolve to continue to support, develop, and ultimately grow along with the member as strategies are updated and the member progresses in different areas.
Once the Strengths Assessment and Support Map are complete, a JoyDew team is established for the member that includes staff and a peer mentor. The team leader reviews both documents and develops a draft Personalized Plan for the member that defines the academic enrichment, continuing education, business orientation and the proposed skill trees and jobs to explore first, as well as how to accommodate any specific support required. A draft schedule is created, and a meeting is scheduled with the member and their family/support team to discuss the findings and the proposed plan.
After the member and their family/support team agree on the plan, initial goals and milestones are identified for training/jobs, and a personalized weekly program schedule is created. The group then agrees on frequency and format of reporting/update meetings for the whole group during the trial period. Typically, new learners have a minimum of monthly status meetings until the member has “softly landed” and is fully integrated into the program, at which time meetings become quarterly. Internally, staff meet daily to share any new learnings about the members, and the training schedule for each member is set weekly. Parents and support team members are encouraged to observe the streaming classes and provide feedback on how the member is feeling about the program.
Once the member is settled into their routine, they are asked to create a “My Story” presentation, which they present to the rest of the organization. It provides background on their personal life, their interests, experiences and career aspirations. This presentation becomes the foundation for their online resume, which is typically done on LinkedIn.
Learn More
Throughout their time at JoyDew, members are encouraged to advocate for themselves and for the autism population as a whole. Assignments are created to prompt exercising this skill.
Learn MoreJoyDew also recognizes that it is difficult for people to imagine a career for themselves that they have never witnessed. An important part of identifying what is interesting requires career exploration. For this reason, JoyDew takes field trips to a variety of different organizations or has visitors in different fields come to visit and present what they do. Members prepare questions for the presenters and are also usually allowed to connect afterward for follow up.
Learn More