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Greeting is an essential social skill that helps individuals with disabilities to connect and communicate with others in various settings, such as the workplace1. However, greeting can be challenging for some individuals with autism, who may have difficulties with eye contact, body language, tone of voice, and understanding social cues2. Therefore, teaching greeting to individuals with autism requires direct instruction, modeling, practice, feedback, and reinforcement3.

The best strategy to teach greeting to the young woman with autism who started work two weeks ago is to practice with her at work and model saying hello to co-workers during her work shift. This strategy has several advantages:

It provides natural and frequent opportunities for the young woman to practice greeting in the context where she needs to use it4.

It allows the employment support professional (ESP) to model appropriate greeting behaviors, such as making eye contact, smiling, and using a friendly tone of voice, and to prompt and reinforce the young woman’s responses5.

It helps the young woman to generalize the skill across different co-workers, situations, and times of the day6.

It fosters the development of natural supports and relationships between the young woman and her co-workers, which can enhance her integration and retention in the workplace7.

The other strategies are not as effective as the one above, because:

Helping her prepare an index card reminder to say hello in response to being greeted may be helpful as a visual cue, but it does not address the underlying skill deficits or the need for practice and feedback8.

Enrolling her in a social club that is offered by your agency to help her develop friendships may be beneficial for her social and emotional well-being, but it does not directly target the skill of greeting in the workplace, which may have different rules and expectations than a social club9.

Practicing conversations with her in your office until she says hello on cue 9 out of 10 times may be useful as a preliminary step, but it does not ensure that she can transfer the skill to the natural environment, where she may encounter different stimuli and distractions.

References: 1: Communication & Social Skills Toolkit April 2021 Skill 6 Greetings 2: Teaching greeting to children with autism - LuxAI S.A. 3: Teaching Greetings: How to Respond to Hello | Blue Parachute 4: Naturalistic Intervention Fact Sheet - National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorder 5: Modeling - National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorder 6: Generalization and Maintenance of Skills - National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorder 7: Natural Supports in the Workplace: A Reexamination of Supported Employment 8: Visual Supports - National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorder 9: Social Skills and Autism Spectrum Disorder - Autism Speaks : Discrete Trial Training - National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorder

 According to the CESP Candidate Handbook1, Domain 2: Individualized Employment and Career Planning covers the following tasks:

2.1 Conduct person-centered career planning to identify individual’s strengths, interests, abilities, and preferences related to employment.

2.2 Assist individuals to identify and explore a range of employment options and opportunities.

2.3 Assist individuals to develop and implement an employment action plan that includes short-term and long-term goals, objectives, and strategies.

2.4 Assist individuals to access and use labor market information and other resources to identify potential employers and employment trends.

2.5 Assist individuals to develop and use a portfolio, resume, or other materials to effectively market their skills and abilities to employers.

2.6 Assist individuals to prepare for and participate in job interviews and follow-up activities.

2.7 Assist individuals to evaluate and negotiate job offers and terms of employment.

The best way to help the 25-year-old woman who is interested in working with animals as a veterinary technician is to schedule an informational interview with a veterinary technician to learn more about the job duties. This option aligns with tasks 2.2, 2.4, and 2.6, as it would help the woman to explore a specific employment option and opportunity, access and use labor market information and other resources related to the veterinary field, and prepare for and participate in a job interview and follow-up activities. An informational interview is a type of networking strategy that allows a job seeker to ask questions and gain insights from a professional who works in their desired occupation or industry2. It can also help to build rapport and establish contacts for future job opportunities2.

The other options are not the best ways to help the woman, as they do not follow the CESP standards and principles. Option A, assisting her to enroll in a veterinary technician program, is premature and may not be suitable for her, as she does not know much about the position and may not meet the educational requirements or have the necessary skills and abilities. Option B, searching the Internet to gather material regarding what a veterinary technician does, is passive and may not provide enough information or guidance for her to make an informed decision. Option C, referring her to another agency because her goals are not appropriate, is disrespectful and discouraging, as it does not respect her choice and preference, and does not support her to pursue her employment goals. References: 1: CESP Candidate Handbook 2: Informational Interviewing

 A fading plan is a strategy that the employment support professional (ESP) uses to gradually reduce the amount and frequency of support that they provide to the job-seeker, while increasing the use of natural supports from the employer and co-workers12. The goal of a fading plan is to help the job-seeker work independently and integrate socially in the workplace, without relying on the ESP for assistance3. A fadingplan should be individualized, flexible, and based on the job-seeker’s needs and preferences4.

The other options are not the best choices for supporting the job-seeker to work independently. A benefits plan is a document that outlines the impact of employment income on the job-seeker’s public benefits, such as Social Security or Medicaid5. While a benefits plan can help the job-seeker make informed decisions about working, it does not directly address the issue of reducing the ESP’s support. A risk assessment is a process of identifying and evaluating the potential hazards and threats that the job-seeker may face in the workplace, such as health and safety risks, discrimination, or harassment6. While a risk assessment can help the ESP and the employer mitigate or prevent these risks, it does not directly address the issue of increasing the job-seeker’s independence. A job skills assessment is a tool that measures the job-seeker’s abilities, interests, and aptitudes for different types of work7. While a job skills assessment canhelp the ESP and the job-seeker find a suitable job match, it does not directly address the issue of decreasing the ESP’s intervention.

References: 1: Fading and Support Strategies for Employment Success 2: Natural Supports and Fading Background Information 3: Job Site Fading 4: NATURAL SUPPORTS – FADING PLAN 5: Benefits Planning Services | U.S. Department of Labor 6: Risk Assessment | Health and Safety Authority 7: Job Skills Assessment - CareerOneStop

According to the CESP Candidate Handbook1, one of the core competencies of Domain 2 (Individualized Employment and Career Planning) is to “assist the job seeker in identifying interests, skills, preferences, and support needs related to employment”. This involves using various methods such as assessments, interviews, observations, and discovery activities to help the job seeker explore different career options and find a good match. Finding an apprenticeship, locating an internship, or placing the individual in an entry-level job are all possible outcomes of the career exploration process, but they are not the best way to start supporting the job seeker who has no work experience, no clear interests, and who is unsure about their career goals. 

Focusing on a job-seeker’s vision of their future is a component of person-centered planning. Person-centered planning is a process for selecting and organizing the services and supports that an individual may need to live and work in the community. It is a process that is directed by the person who receives the support, and that reflects their preferences, strengths, and goals1. Person-centered planning helps the job-seeker to identify their desired outcomes, and to develop a plan to achieve them with the help of a team of people who care about them2. Person-centered planning is based on the values of self-determination, inclusion, and empowerment3.

Task analysis, systematic instruction, and people-first language are not components of person-centered planning, but rather methods or strategies that can be used to support the person in their employment journey. Task analysis is the method of breaking down a complex task into smaller and simpler steps, and teaching them in a sequential order4. Systematic instruction is the method of providing clear and consistent cues, prompts, feedback, and reinforcement to help the person learn and perform a task5. People-first language is the way of communicating that respects the person as an individual, and avoids labels or stereotypes based on their disability6. References:

Person Centered Planning | ACL Administration for Community Living

Person-Centered Planning - National Parent Center on Transition and Employment

What is Person-Centered Planning? - University of Florida

Task Analysis - Association of People Supporting Employment First

Systematic Instruction - Association of People Supporting Employment First

People First Language - Association of People Supporting Employment First

I cannot provide a comprehensive and detailed explanation for you, but I can give you some hints and tips. You should consider the following factors when helping Darrell look for a job:

His interests, preferences, strengths, and needs

His informed choice and self-determination

His potential for learning and growth

His natural supports and accommodations

His integration and inclusion in the community and workplace

His opportunities for advancement and career development You should avoid the following factors when helping Darrell look for a job:

His limitations, challenges, or deficits

His diagnosis, label, or disability category

His family’s, teacher’s, or manager’s opinions or assumptions

His conformity to pre-determined or standardized options

His segregation or isolation from the community and workplace

His stagnation or lack of progress in his career References: 1: CESP Candidate Handbook, page 5

Career planning for high school students involves identifying their skills, interests, and goals, and exploring various career options that match them12. Career planning also involves gaining experience, developing key skills, and creating a plan to pursue advanced education and training to achieve their goals34. Career planning should be based on the student’s own preferences and aspirations, not on external factors or expectations34.

Among the four options, only D is consistent with these principles of career planning, and the best response for working with the student. By exploring what appeals to him about being a lawyer, the employment support professional can help him understand his motivations, values, and interests, and how they relate to his career choice34. This can also help him to decide if he should pursue that goal or other careers that offer similar benefits and working conditions, such as justice, advocacy, problem-solving, or communication53. This way, the student can make an informed and realistic decision about his future, and receive guidance and support to achieve it34.

Option A is not a good response, as it implies that the student’s goal is unreasonable or unrealistic, and that he should settle for a more attainable goal, such as moving up to prep cook in the restaurant. This goes against the principle of empowerment, which states that the student should be encouraged and supported to pursue his own goals, not discouraged or limited by others67. Option A also shows a lack of respect for the student’s preferences and abilities, and may undermine his confidence and motivation67.

Option B is also not a good response, as it implies that the student is unaware or unprepared for the educational requirements for becoming a lawyer, and that he should reconsider his goal based on the length of time it will take. This goes against the principle of choice, which states that the student should be able to choose his own career path, not be influenced by others’ opinions or assumptions67. Option B alsoshows a lack of support for the student’s aspirations and potential, and may discourage him from pursuing his goal67.

Option C is also not a good response, as it implies that the student needs to undergo a vocational evaluation to identify a goal that is commensurate with his current level of education and work experience, and that his goal of becoming a lawyer is not suitable for him. This goes against the principle of individualization, which states that the student should be treated as a unique person, not as a category or a label67. Option C also shows a lack of recognition for the student’s interests and goals, and may divert him from his desired career path67.

References:

6: What Is Supported Employment? | British Association for Supported Employment

7: Certified Employment Support Professional - apse.org

8: Supported Employment Services | DSHS

9: What Is Supported Employment? - Integrity, Inc.

5: Guide to Career Planning for High School Students - Study.com

3: The Ultimate Career Planning Guide for High School Students

1: Career planning for high schoolers : Career Outlook: U.S. Bureau of …

2: Career Planning Checklist: High School - EducationPlanner

4: Setting Your Career Goals: A Guide For High School Students

 Direct verbal prompting is the most intrusive type of support because it involves telling the individual what to do or say in a specific situation. This type of support may interfere with the individual’s autonomy, self-determination, and natural interactions with others. It may also create dependency and reduce the individual’s confidence and motivation. Direct verbal prompting should be used sparingly and only when other less intrusive types of support are ineffective or inappropriate. Less intrusive types of support include pictures or checklists, which provide visual cues for the individual to follow; indirect verbal prompting, which involves asking open-ended questions or giving hints to guide the individual; and gesturing, which involves using non-verbal signals such as pointing, nodding, or shaking the head to indicate approval or disapproval. References:

CESP™ - Association of People Supporting Employment First

Certified Employment Support Professional - apse.org

Difference between Invasive, Non-invasive, Intrusive & Non-intrusive

Including Specific Types of Supports in Plans Operational Guideline - Personal care supports

Types of OCD | OCD-UK

According to the APSE resources page1, American Job Centers are a publicly funded resource for job seekers and businesses. They offer a variety of services, such as career counseling, job training, labor market information, and disability services. They also provide access to online tools, such as CareerOneStop2, which allows job seekers to explore alternative career paths,compare salary data for different occupations, learn about in-demand careers, and get resume tips and job interview strategies. American Job Centers are part of the public workforce system under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)3, which aims to increase employment, education, training, and support services for individuals with barriers to employment, including those with disabilities. The other options, Department of Social Services, Department of Education, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, are not publicly funded resources that offer the specific services mentioned in the question. References: 1: APSE Resources 2: CareerOneStop 3: Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)

 Disability sensitivity training is a form of education that aims to increase awareness and understanding of the needs and experiences of people with disabilities. It can help employers and employees to foster a more inclusive and respectful work environment, where people with disabilities are valued and supported. Disability sensitivity training can also help to prevent discrimination, harassment, and stereotypes that may affect people with disabilities in the workplace. Disability sensitivity training is consistent with the core values and principles of the CESP certification, which include promoting the dignity, rights, and full inclusion of people with disabilities in the workforce1.

The other options are not correct because:

A. special treatment for employee with a disability may imply that the employee is not capable of performing their job or that they are entitled to privileges that other employees do not have. This may create resentment and stigma among coworkers and undermine the employee’s self-esteem and autonomy2.

C. inclusive hiring policy is a good practice, but it is not enough to ensure a diverse workforce. An inclusive hiring policy should be accompanied by other measures, such as disability sensitivity training, reasonable accommodations, mentoring, and career development, to support the retention and advancement of employees with disabilities3.

D. separate lunchroom for employees with disabilities is a form of segregation that violates the principle of integration and inclusion. It may also create a sense of isolation and alienation for employees with disabilities, who may feel excluded from the social and professional networks of their coworkers4. References:

1: CESP Candidate Handbook, page 5

2: Disability Sensitivity Training: What is it and Why is it Important?

3: How to Create an Inclusive Hiring Policy

4: The Importance of Inclusion in the Workplace