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BACKGROUND:The federal government has invested billions of dollars to promote employment for adults with intellectual disabilities. Despite this investment, the employment rate within this population has remained stable during the recent decades. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to identify characteristics of adults with intellectual disabilities who are employed, and to understand the paths towards employment for these individuals. METHODS: Respondents included a nationally representative sample of 1,055 parents/guardians of adult children (21 years of age or older) with an intellectual disability surveyed by Gallup. These parents/guardians were selected from approximately 341,000 households screened by Gallup. This methodology allowed for the inclusion of a sample of adults with ID who had never been in the labor force or even sought employment. RESULTS: Several characteristics are associated with greater likelihood of employment, including younger age, early work experience, higher levels of adaptive behavior, and absence of emotional and behavioral problems. These characteristics are especially predictive of employment in a competitive setting, and relatively less predictive of sheltered employment. There is very little movement between the two types of employment settings: very few people currently in competitive employment ever worked in a sheltered setting. CONCLUSIONS: The results from this study have clear implications for policies and programs. Young adults with intellectual disabilities need early opportunities to work in community settings. These community-based experiences must provide them with the opportunity to develop necessary adaptive, behavioral, and emotional skills. Finally, policy makers must recognize that sheltered employment is not a stepping-stone to employment in a competitive setting.

The association between cumulative negative life events and executive function for children with developmental disabilities suggests the prominent role of the environment for development in this domain. These findings also suggest the importance of providing services, resources, and interventions that will help families adaptively cope with stressful circumstances.