The transition from our teenage years into adulthood is challenging and can be very stressful. As parents look forward to getting out of laundry duty, making lunches, and hopefully lessening their teen’s dependence on the parents’ bank accounts, young adults prepare to take on cell phone bills and work responsibilities. Young people also look towards this time in life as an opportunity to take pride in their individual accomplishments and their newfound independence.

This transition into adulthood can prove to be increasingly complex and frustrating for someone with a disability, particularly in finding suitable employment. High school provides structure, stability and support for students to be successful. However, after completing organized education, students are expected to venture out into the ‘real world’ and find success without the benefits of structure and support found in the classroom. There are no more academic advisors or fun and silly science teachers to share life’s struggles with.

To help ease the challenges of this transition, Eckert Centre provides Cognitive Coaching services specifically suited for employment preparation and training. In addition to the highly successful Meaningful Employment Program, which supports youth with Down syndrome, Cognitive Coaching Specialists also provide support to young adults with learning disabilities, developmental disabilities, attention challenges, and behavioral issues in custom tailored Employment Coaching programs.

Within Employment Coaching, Cognitive Coaching Specialists employ a variety of teaching tools and strategies to assist the students in their learning. Some common strategies include job cards, visual schedules, motivators, social stories, presentation of choices and consequences, and comic strip conversations.

The Meaningful Employment Program (MEP) has been supporting youth with Down syndrome since 2004 by assisting them as they enter the workplace and gain valuable experience and confidence. The overarching goal of MEP is to prepare students with Down syndrome for the work force, in that each student can make a meaningful contribution to their place of employment. MEP has three components, including classroom instruction on expected workplace behaviour, practical on-site Cognitive Coaching support, and professional support for employees working alongside students enrolled in MEP.

Topics covered in class include proper hygiene, dress code, expected and unexpected conversation and non-verbal behaviour, how to demonstrate ‘professionalism,’ and social scripts to handle common work-related issues that may arise with a co-worker or boss. Students learn work related terms like boss, co-worker, employee, break, hired, and fired, and also how to access help when they need it. Eckert Centre has recently designed an advanced curriculum designed for MEP students who have mastered the skills in the level one classroom curriculum. The advanced curriculum builds on the current knowledge and experiences of the older students to teach skills like finding a job, building a resume, and what to do in an interview.

The classroom component is complemented by on-site Cognitive Coaching support from a Cognitive Coaching Specialist at the student’s workplace to apply learned skills and facilitate each student’s success. Students are supported with more specific goals at the workplace and focus on gaining mastery over job tasks so they can work with the highest level of independence. Ultimately, MEP is designed to prepare students with workplace experience prior to the age of 18 to increase their readiness to contribute as an adult at their full potential after high school.

Lastly, a unique aspect of Employment Coaching is the support Cognitive Coaches provide for employers. The Cognitive Coach’s responsibilities to each student include educating their employers and co-workers with the knowledge and skills necessary to continue to appropriately support and work alongside employees with developmental disabilities.

Employment Coaching has many success stories. Recently, a young woman in high school gained paid employment and a regular weekend shift at a coffee shop after four months of Employment Coaching in MEP! Employment Coaching provided both the student and her workplace the necessary tools for independent and meaningful work. Now she has the pride, confidence, and experience with independent work that will, no doubt, prepare her for adulthood. Not to mention some extra cash to spend at the mall!