Developing a vocational index for adults with autism spectrum disorders.

Taylor et al. (2012) built a simple coding scale for adult vocational life. The index has 11 activity types and a 9-point independence score.

The team wrote clear rules so any researcher can label jobs, college, day programs, or unpaid work the same way.

The paper gives the index, not results. It shows how to sort any adult with autism into one standard category.

Dembo et al. (2023) scanned 113 studies and found most tools for tracking autistic adult participation are weak or un-tested. The 2012 index is one of the few that gives clear, repeatable codes.

Slater et al. (2020) later used similar codes and showed that adults in independent vocational activities report higher happiness and more social contacts. Their data prove the index can capture real-life gains.

Thomas et al. (2021) tracked quality of life before and after a vocational program. They used the same adult group and time window the index was built for, showing the scale works in pilot trials.

If you run or study adult services, use this index to label vocational status the same way every time. Consistent codes let you compare programs, show growth, and spot gaps. Next time you write a goal or a grant, state the participant’s index level so your data can join the larger picture.