While many children on the autism spectrum receive individualized education planning and interventions to support their successful achievement throughout their kindergarten, elementary and high school years, it is equally important to plan for success throughout adulthood. Some adults with autism may possess the skills necessary to enter the workforce, however knowing how to keep their job and continue to do well requires a set of skills that may not come naturally. Research has revealed high rates of unemployment for adults with autism (Klaiman et al., 2015; Levy & Perry, 2011; Magiati et al., 2014). For some adults with autism, challenges such as managing time, remaining focused on a task, and maintaining acceptable rates of productivity have been regularly identified as impediments to ongoing workplace success. For others’ deficits in social skills, engagement in ritualistic activities and rigid behaviors have also been identified as barriers to their continued workforce participation (Howlin, 2005; Chen et al., 2015).
Students practice serving guests with water refills and table tidying during daily service training. Through repeated practice, they gradually master the social etiquette and operational details in the service process, honing their ability and confidence in independent service in real scenarios.
While China begins to expand supportive frameworks for school children with autism, transition planning and workplace training for young adults with autism is less commonplace than what is offered within the school systems. Where do autistic school leavers go? One positive solution is the StarUnite Café, located in Wenzhou city, Zhejiang province, in mainland China. StarUnite Cafe is a supportive employment training base for autistic youth, initiated by Li YanYan, the founder of Wenzhou’s first autism rehabilitation center, “Xingzhijia.” As a parent of an autistic child, her love gave birth to a conviction, leading her to establish StarUnite Cafe. It aims to provide training and employment opportunities for autistic youth, enabling them to integrate into the social living environment. Their philosophy is rooted in their belief that everyone is a unique star in the universe and even in solitude they can illuminate each other’s worlds through unity and love.
Li wanted to address the problem of unemployment among Wenzhou’s autistic youth after they age out of educational services. In July 2024, Li and her team began searching for a venue. Renovation and paperwork started in August. During this period, they received support and assistance from the Wenzhou Disabled Persons’ Federation, and several other district level federations within the city. On October 1, 2024, StarUnite Cafe began trial operations, and after six weeks of trial operations, StarUnite Cafe officially opened to the public on November 11, 2024.
Currently, four young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities have successfully started working as baristas at StarUnite Café. Earlier this year, Chang-Hee Lee, who heads the International Labour Organization’s China and Mongolia Bureau, visited the café. These young workers have received work incentive bonuses from the cafe, acknowledging their labor value and personal progress.
Students are learning the basics of espresso making under the guidance of instructors. From getting to know coffee beans, grinding to extraction, every step is introduced for the first time with patient and meticulous guidance – this is the first step in turning interest into professional skills.
Typical methods of workplace training may result in information overload or overwhelm for autistic workers. Workplace environments rarely offer the instructional supports found in schools. However, research has shown that video modelling, video prompting, and video feedback have been used to support skill acquisition and task performance in the context of vocational gardening (English et al., 2017). English and colleagues reported that these strategies were effective and socially valid (English et al., 2017). Guided by this research evidence, Li’s team has developed a systematic vocational training mechanism with “Assessment-Training-Practice-Employment” at its core. This mechanism operates under the framework of the “Rongzhi Artisan Workshop” project funded by the 2024 Ouhai District Civil Affairs Bureau Charity Venture Philanthropy project. It is oriented towards promoting social integration and covers four main stages:
- Individualized Ability Assessment: Utilizing the Supports Intensity Scale (SIS), Quality of Life Scale, and Flower of Life tool to develop individualized growth plans.
- Dual-Track Skill Training: Implementing “Basic Abilities + Specialized Skills” courses (including self-care, emotional management, practical coffee making, etc.), combined with ABA behavioral intervention and occupational therapy to reinforce adaptability.
- Step-by-Step Position Practice: Transitioning from supportive roles to core service positions within the cafe environment, with full guidance from an employment coach.
- Employment Support System: Collaborating with enterprises to develop supportive employment positions and providing psychological counseling, family collaboration, and career transition services.
The entire process ensures effectiveness through “Standardized Operational Decomposition Training,” “Scenario Simulation Teaching,” and “Three-Dimensional Dynamic Assessment,” providing a practice model for pilot projects on integrated employment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities that may be replicable nationwide.
Li and her team have already made many significant achievements across the sprawling city of Wenzhou, with its population of 10 million residents. They have connected with four market resources: E-meter Sunshine Market; Ourong Bazaar; Xishan Community Lantern Festival Market; and the Wenzhou Rural “Local Specialties” Carnival. Additionally, the team has organized 20 public welfare markets and employment practice activities. These events not only enhanced societal awareness and acceptance of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities but also provided more real-world training opportunities for trainees to practice their social and vocational skills.
Their partnership with six 爱心 (love) enterprises, including Wenzhou Niangqin Handicraft, Wenzhou Youbei Import & Export Trade Co., Ltd., and Wenzhou Senhuo Benwei Agricultural Co., Ltd., provide products and employment opportunities for the youth. They have successfully collaborated with Wenzhou Diandian Technology Co., Ltd., coordinated with Lucheng District Market Supervision Administration to secure venue resources, implemented support at seven locations within Wenzhou Tianlei Washi Farmers’ Market, and provided six employment positions and one family-unit entrepreneurial spot for trainees. Wenzhou registered its first business license run by an autistic youth on February 27, 2025.
Many parents have provided feedback that their children have become more responsible after participating in the project, taking the initiative to wake up daily, no longer being idle, showing significant improvement in self-care abilities, and learning to cooperate with peers. Parents stated that seeing their children’s progress and future hope within the project is the greatest affirmation of our work.
The programs statistical records revealed that project trainees’ employment willingness increased significantly from an initial 35% to 78%, indicating that the project boosted trainees’ employment confidence. Training data also attests to notable skill improvements. Trainees progressed from zero base to mastering coffee-making skills, with significant enhancements in self-care and social abilities.
To date, the center has provided systematic training for 40 youths, completed 686 training sessions and 1,372 practical training hours. Video modeling, video prompting, and video feedback form the foundation of the ABA-based training methodology. The team have successfully facilitated internships for six trainees in enterprises, partnered with over ten companies to build an employment platform, and received multiple visits, research, and recognition from government agencies, disabled persons’ federations, media, and international organizations.
“We believe every life deserves to be seen, respected, and empowered. Through the warmth of a cup of coffee and the dignity of a job, we are helping these ‘children of the stars’ find their own orbit to shine brightly,” said Li Yanyan. The team at Wenzhou Kean University agree and are eagerly supporting StarUnite’s efforts in bringing evidence-based techniques to life through intervention supports, training and transition planning for autistic children and adults in Wenzhou and beyond. Ensuring ongoing workplace success, continual development of social skills, and supporting independent living remain central goals.
References
Chen J. L., Leader G., Sung C., & Leahy M. (2015). Trends in employment for individuals with autism spectrum disorder: A review of the research literature. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 2(2).
English, D. L., Gounden, S., Dagher, R. E., Chan, S. F., Furlonger, B. E., Anderson, A., & D. W. (2017): Effects of video modeling with video feedback on vocational skills of adults with autism spectrum disorder. Developmental Neurorehabilitation. doi:10.1080/17518423.2017.1282051
Howlin P., Alcock J., & Burkin C. (2005). An 8-year follow-up of a specialist supported employment service for high-ability adults with autism or Asperger syndrome. Autism 9(5). doi:10.1177/13623613050578717.
Klaiman C, Fernandez-Carriba S, Hall,C, Saulnier C. (2015). Assessment of Autism across the lifespan: A way forward. Current Developmental Disorder Reports, 2. doi:10.1007/s40474-014-0031-54
Levy A, & Perry A. (2011). Outcomes in adolescents and adults with autism: A review of the literature. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 5. doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2011.01.0235
Magiati I, Wei Tay X, Howlin P. (2014). Cognitive, language, social and behavioral outcomes in adults with autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review of longitudinal follow-up studies in adulthood. Journal of Clinical Psychology Review, 34. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2013.11.002
