Abstract | Kao nužna komponenta ulaska u svijet odraslih, zapošljavanje je jedan od najpoželjnijih ishoda
u odrasloj dobi svakog pojedinca, uključujući osobe s autizmom. Iako mnoge osobe s autizmom
iskazuju želju za zaposlenjem, brojne studije pokazuju poražavajuće ishode u zapošljavanju ove
populacije. Čak i kada se uspiju zaposliti, osobe s autizmom uglavnom rade na radnim mjestima
za koja su prekvalificirani, često moraju mijenjati poslove, a nerijetko su za svoj rad i
potplaćeni. Takvi bi se ishodi djelomično mogli protumačiti specifičnostima u funkcioniranju
osoba s autizmom, no nedvojbeno je da tome značajno doprinose i brojni otežavajući čimbenici
i prepreke u okolini s kojima se osobe s autizmom susreću tijekom zapošljavanja. Ohrabrujuće
je da, usprkos svemu navedenom, postoji znatan potencijal za unapređenje ishoda zapošljavanja
ove populacije osoba, a shodno tome i njihove kvalitete života. Postojeća istraživanja pokazuju
da, uz osiguravanje odgovarajuće podrške, osobe s autizmom mogu biti uspješne u nizu
zanimanja. Naglašava se važnost holistički sagledanog ekosustava zapošljavanja, s elementima
koji uključuju individualni i mogući angažman obitelji, formalnu i neformalnu podršku pri
zapošljavanju, šire resurse zajednice, adekvatno prilagođena radna mjesta te jačanje kapaciteta
poslodavaca i svih drugih osoba izravno ili neizravno uključenih u život autističnih osoba,
zajednički usklađenim i integriranim unutar komplementarne javne politike. Stoga će se ovim
radom nastojati prikazati najsuvremenija saznanja o zapošljavanju i radu osoba s autizmom.
Ovakav pregled literature može biti od posebnog značaja za stručnjake uključene u rad s
osobama s autizmom u kontekstu Republike Hrvatske, uzme li se u obzir nedostatnost domaćih
istraživanja u ovom području, nesustavnost u vođenju evidencija o zapošljavanju osoba s
autizmom, kao i činjenica da Republika Hrvatska kasni za svjetskim trendovima u ranom
otkrivanju, dijagnostici, rehabilitaciji, a posebno u skrbi o odraslim osobama s autizmom. Kao
takav, ovaj rad može poslužiti kao osnova za daljnje izučavanje područja, a može biti od
značajne koristi i u planiranju promjena u postojećim sustavima, kao i razvoju novih modela
pružanja podrške. |
Abstract (english) | As a necessary component of entering the adult world, employment is one of the most desirable
outcomes in adulthood for every individual, including people with autism. Although many
people with autism express a desire for employment, numerous studies show concerning
employment outcomes for this population. Even when they manage to get a job, people with
autism mostly work in jobs for which they are overqualified, they often must change jobs, and
they are often underpaid for their work. Such outcomes could be partly explained by the
differences in functioning of people with autism, but there is no doubt that a number of
aggravating factors and obstacles in the environment that people with autism encounter during
employment also contribute to these poor outcomes. It is encouraging that, despite all the above,
there is considerable potential for improving the employment outcomes of autistic persons, and
consequently their quality of life. Existing research shows that, with the provision of
appropriate support, people with autism can be successful in a range of occupations. Available
studies emphasize the importance of a holistic employment ecosystem, with elements that
include individual and possible family involvement, formal and informal employment support,
wider community resources, matching jobs and capacity building of employers and all others
directly or indirectly involved, jointly harmonized and integrated within a complementary
public policy. Therefore, this paper will seek to present the latest knowledge on employment
and work of people with autism. Such a review may be of particular importance for
professionals involved in working with people with autism in the context of the Republic of
Croatia, given the lack of domestic research in this area, inconsistency in keeping records of
employment of people with autism, and the fact that the Republic of Croatia lags behind global
trends in early detection, diagnosis, rehabilitation, and especially in the care of adults with
autism. As such, this work can serve as a basis for further study and can be of significant use in
planning changes in existing systems, as well as in developing new models of support |