Employment Support Needs of People with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Social Network Analysis

Objectives: Our objective was to analyze employment support needs by disability types and grades among employees with developmental disabilities. Methods: Our study participants were 288 employees with intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorders who participated in the 2024 survey on Employment and Life for People with Developmental Disabilities. We used social network analysis as a main strategy to identify the priorities of employment needs and structural characteristics. Results: The analysis by disability types revealed that people with intellectual disabilities had higher needs for commute, communication, and performing duties. Persons with autism spectrum disorders presented higher needs for toileting, performing duties, and communication. In the case of disability, people with intellectual disabilities grade 2 required support for commute, whereas those in grade 3 required communication support. Support for performing duties and communication were greater in grade 3 than in grade 2. For autism spectrum disorder, those with grade 1 presented higher needs for eating food and toileting; those with grade 2 had needs for performing duties and commute, and grade 3 for communication and performing duties. Conclusions: Employment support policies should adopt a segmented approach that reflects the specific characteristics of disability types and grades, highlighting the importance of tailored support policies and individualized service provision.