title: Are young adults with special needs ready for the physical work demands?
abstract: Youth and Adolescents with Special Needs (YASN) face many challenges during transition into employment. Although most of their physical challenges are secondary, yet they call for attention since most of them are hired for blue collar jobs. Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) should be adapted to prepare them addressing the physical job-demands, and maintain their jobs effectively and safely. The current pilot study aims to demonstrate the use of standard (FCE) in order to assess performance of basic generic physical activities conducted by YASN, as part of transition to work program. Specifically, it compared subtests of the Physical Work Performance Evaluation of YASN (N = 13) with matched control group (YA) (N = 13). Results revealed slower and reduced performance among YASNs than YA, in basic job demands, like dynamic strength, hand strength, and fine motor skills. Implications and recommendations for research and transition to work practice in the educational setting are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, Steyer School of Health Professions, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, POB 39040, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel. navah@post.tau.ac.il
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ratzon
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schejter
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alon
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Schreuer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D019957:Motor Skills Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D053581:Muscle Strength Dynamometer; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D014829:Vocational Education; D055815:Young Adult