PACTT Adult Vocational Programming

meaningful post-school opportunities

PACTT's adult vocational program helps young adults with autism find meaningful volunteer and employment positions in the community. Committed to our participants' right to choose in regard to where they work, the PACTT Adult Vocational Program helps to ensure that PACTT's core value of community integration is met.

Vocational program opportunities includes:

  • Community involvement
  • Vocational training and job placement
  • Social and communication skill enrichment
  • Leisure skill development

a typical day

Each PACTT participant has an individualized schedule that addresses his or her personal interests and needs. During a typical day, participants volunteer or work in the community, practice community- and independent-living skills, and engage in vocational training tasks.  Additional curriculum components include: personal rights, fitness, art, music, and current events.

individualized skill development

PACTT's vocational team provides assessment, vocational case management, job development, vocational skill training, and ongoing job coaching in a community setting. Socialization and communication are at the forefront of all interventions and behavior intervention techniques for individuals with autism are employed at all times.

Individualized skill development includes exploring and learning vocational tasks based on participant preference and skill level. Our focus includes concrete tasks that one may do in the workplace, or may need to learn to be ready for employment.  We also focus on improving the soft skills that are necessary to find success at the workplace including learning how to work well with colleagues in a job setting.  

community engagement

Community integration is critical to happiness and independence for people with autism. Success in community, whether that is participating in a local sports club, going to the library, going out to see a movie or joining friends for dinner will improve self-esteem, build self-confidence and make it more likely that an adult with autism is able to live as independently as possible. Services in PACTT's vocational programs provide daily access to community outings because it is beneficial to our participants.  What we also know is that our presence in Rogers Park and Oak Park, benefits our neighbors by helping these two communities be more understanding and welcoming to adults with autism.   

PACTT vocational participants go out every day -- working, volunteering, shopping, eating and taking advantage of recreational opportunities available in both Chicago and beyond.  We work to build the skills that are needed both in the classroom and in the community to make sure that our adults are able to experience successfully the joy of full community membership.  

 

PACTT Adult Vocational programs are located in Oak Park and Chicago (Rogers Park), IL.

Currently, we have space available in our Rogers Park Program. Request more information or submit a referral request HERE.