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

根据最近的估计，在美国出生的每60个孩子中就有1个被诊断患有自闭症谱系障碍。孤独症之声（autismspeaks.org）最近报道，多达90%的孤独症患者处于失业或半失业状态。为了解决自闭症社区的就业需求和未来20年航空工业技术人员的预测短缺问题，nfpNEXUS公司将与沃恩航空技术学院合作开发和实施频谱创新途径项目。该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改进和新的认知模型。频谱创新途径将支持对航空学有共同热情的自闭症学生。该课程的主要目标是帮助自闭症学生在高等教育中取得成功，并进入劳动力市场担任高级技术人员的角色。该项目将为自闭症学生提供全面的STEM学习环境，旨在帮助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学业的自闭症学生制定并实施一个过渡年。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。一个强有力的学生招聘过程将提高人们对自闭症患者高级技术人员选择的认识。在项目期间，学生将被纳入一个队列，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，作为新兴劳动力技能的顾问，以及在就业市场上为自闭症患者识别和促进机会。沃恩航空技术学院的创新中心包括创客空间、复合原型中心、机器人实验室、飞行模拟器和空中交通管制模拟器。该中心将通知并推动项目及其方法。传播策略将包括在项目网站和“自闭症之声”网站上发布项目活动和结果，以及通过当地讲习班和在会议上发表演讲。该项目由先进技术教育计划资助，该计划侧重于为推动国家经济的先进技术领域培养技术人员。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值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.