Spectrum Innovates Pathway: Preparing Autistic Students to Enter Higher Education and Careers in Advanced Technological Fields

根据最近的估计，在美国出生的儿童中，大约每60人中就有1人被诊断出患有自闭症谱系障碍。自闭症之声(autismSpeaks.org)目前报告称，多达90%的自闭症患者处于失业或未充分就业状态。为了解决自闭症患者群体的就业需求和航空业在未来20年预计会出现的技术人员短缺问题，nfpNEXUS公司将与沃恩航空技术学院公司合作，开发和实施Spectrum Innovates Path项目。这条路径的设计参考了美国国家科学院、工程院和医学院(2018年)关于学习最佳实践的研究结果，以及最近的研究，这些研究导致了自闭症的修改和新的认知模型。Spectrum Innovates Path将支持对航空有共同热情的自闭症学生。该途径的主要目标是为自闭症学生在高等教育中取得成功并以高级技术人员的角色进入劳动力市场做好准备。该项目将使自闭症学生完全沉浸在STEM学习环境中，旨在支持他们获得进入高级技术职业所需的知识和证书。该项目将为完成高中要求的自闭症学生制定和实施过渡年。该项目将利用体验式学习来支持学生适应大学和工作环境，并发展关键的生活和实践技能。强有力的学生招聘流程将提高人们对自闭症患者可选择的高级技师的认识。在项目期间，学生将被纳入一个队列，预计这将有助于创造一个支持性的学习环境。学生项目将模拟现实世界的挑战，以加强现有的知识和技能。行业合作伙伴将扮演双重角色，一方面是新兴劳动力技能的顾问，另一方面是确定和促进自闭症患者在就业市场上的机会。沃恩航空技术学院的创新中心包括Maker Space、复合材料原型中心、机器人实验室、飞行模拟器和空中交通管制模拟器。该中心将为项目及其方法提供信息并推动项目。传播战略将包括在项目网站和自闭症演讲网站上张贴关于项目活动和成果的公告，以及通过当地讲习班和在会议上发言。该项目由高级技术教育计划资助，该计划专注于为推动国家经济的先进技术领域培养技术人员。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Based on recent estimates, about 1 in 60 children born in the United States are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Autism Speaks (autismspeaks.org) currently reports that as many as 90% of autistic individuals are unemployed or underemployed. To address the autistic community's employment needs and the forecasted shortage of technicians in the aeronautics industry over the next twenty years, nfpNEXUS, Inc. will partner with Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology, Inc. to develop and implement the Spectrum Innovates Pathway project. Design of this Pathway is informed by the findings of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (2018) on best practices for learning, as well as recent research that has led to modified and new cognitive models for autism. The Spectrum Innovates Pathway will support autistic students who share a common passion for aeronautics. The primary goal of the Pathway is to prepare autistic students to succeed in higher education and to enter the workforce in advanced technician roles. This project will provide full immersion of autistic students in a STEM learning environment designed to support them as they acquire the knowledge and certifications needed for their entry into advanced technical careers. The project will develop and implement a bridge year for autistic students who have completed their high school requirements. The project will leverage experiential learning to support students’ acclimation to the collegiate and work environments and development of critical life and practical skills. A robust recruitment process for students will increase awareness of the availability of the advanced technician options for autistic individuals. Students will be included in a cohort for the duration of the program, which is expected to contribute to creating a supportive learning environment. Student projects will model real world challenges to reinforce existing knowledge and skills. Industry partners will serve a dual role as advisors on emergent work force skills as well as identifying and promoting opportunities for autistic individuals in the job market. The Innovation Hub at Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology includes the Maker Space, Composite Prototyping Center, Robotics Lab, Flight Simulators, and Air Traffic Control Simulators. This Hub will inform and drive the project and its methodology. Dissemination strategies will include postings about project activities and results on the project website and the Autism Speaks website, as well as through local workshops and presentations at conferences. This project is funded by the Advanced Technological Education program that focuses on the education of technicians for the advanced-technology fields that drive the nation's economy.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.