How to Engage Youth to Discover their Dream Career and Emotionally Adapt

I am Dr. Jackie Marquette, an Autism Career Strategist, researcher, private practice and parent of an adult son with autism. In 2007 I received a Ph.D. from University of Louisville. I created S.A.F.E.T.Y. Works© based upon 3 decades of professional experience as a teacher in special education, district transition consultant, private practice, autism evaluation service to Vocational Rehabilitation counselors and 4 decades of personal experience guiding and supporting my son who has autism. The tools I created are powerful and can: 1) assure the student/young adult of their career possibilities, uniqueness, and one-of-a-kind self-expression and, 2) guide and support a student/young adult to take steps to emotionally adapt, progress, and safely manage a job/career.

Because of my 15 years of research, I believe I know what can enable a young adult to safely transition into a career or job. I conducted interviews with 220 young adults with autism, and combined with their families and providers, I have over 800 interviews. From the data, theory emerged: The Theory of Interdependence and Emotional Adaptation. From my own practice and research, I created S.A.F.E.T.Y Works© an Interdependent Employment and Emotional Adaptation Model. This educational model with tools can enable students and adults to best prepare for a career, practice career exploration and self-advocacy, and then become effective by using these adaptation tools in their job/career. The model is so personalized because the tools meet each individual at any level where they are in development.

I published numerous articles in industry periodicals and published three books: Power Practices: Explore Careers and Create Your Own Pathway (2017); Becoming Remarkably Able: Walking the Path to Talents, Interests, and Personal Growth, For Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Related Disabilities (2007); and Independence Bound: A Mother and Her Autistic Son’s Journey to Adulthood (2002) Harmony House, Publishers. Prospect, KY.

I lived out what I teach. Trent, my autistic son taught me how to assist him to live the career of his dreams. He is an award winning professional abstract artist now for 16 years. One of the most distinguished awards he received was from the United Nations, 2012. His art was chosen for a UN stamp to raise awareness for autism worldwide.