Understanding job and education challenges for young adults with autism

A Longitudinal Study of Employment and Educational Instability for Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

NIH-funded research Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-10817089

This study is looking at the difficulties young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder face when trying to keep jobs and continue their education after high school, and it aims to find ways to better support them in these areas.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Nashville, United States)
Project IDNIH-10817089 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the ongoing challenges that young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) face in maintaining employment and educational opportunities after high school. By collecting data over three years from 200 participants and their families, the study aims to identify factors that contribute to job and educational instability. The findings will help develop new interventions focused on supporting these individuals in sustaining their roles in the workforce and educational settings.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder who have recently exited high school.

Not a fit: Patients who are not young adults or those who have not exited high school may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective strategies that help young adults with autism maintain stable employment and educational participation.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has highlighted the importance of job stability for mental health, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights and interventions.

Where this research is happening

Nashville, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.