An Expert Discussion on Employment in Autism

Predicting the financial wellbeing of autistic adults: Part I

LAY ABSTRACT

Researchers have found the way people feel about their financial situation is related to their quality of life. We know that many autistic people find it hard to find a job. And for those autistic people who have a job, they are often underpaid. Not having a job or being underpaid often means having low income. Having low income is likely to influence how autistic people feel about their financial situation. However, no research has looked at these issues for autistic people. This is the first study that helps us learn more about what autistic adults think about their financial situation. We looked at autistic people's thoughts on this issue compared to people from the general Australian population. We also looked at what things might impact how autistic people feel about their financial situation-which might be how much money they earn, what they do with that money, and their mental health. Many autistic adults felt they were struggling with financial wellbeing and this was connected both to the level of their income and how they said they managed their money. Those who were able to save and not borrow for everyday expenses reported feeling a greater sense of financial wellbeing. Concrete changes might help to improve autistic people's financial wellbeing. We need to investigate how we can help autistic people find and keep well-paying jobs. And we need to work out the best ways of equipping autistic people with the skills they need in financial matters.

The relationship between autistic traits, expressiveness, readability and social perceptions

This study investigated the relationship between autistic traits, expressiveness, readability (both actual and perceived), social favourability, and likability. Sixty participants designated as 'targets' were video recorded in a range of social scenarios and their autistic traits were measured using the Autism Spectrum Quotient. The videos were then shown to 106 new participants designated 'perceivers', who were split into three groups to make judgments related to readability, expressiveness, and social favourability respectively. Mediation analyses revealed that autistic traits negatively impacted both perceived likeability and social favourability, mediated by lowered expressiveness. Autistic traits also directly impacted readability, which was not mediated by expressiveness. The findings show how the level of autistic traits of a target can influence how they are socially perceived by others.

Autistic Adults' Priorities for Future Autism Employment Research: Perspectives from the United Kingdom

Background

A growing body of research has sought to understand autistic people's research priorities. Several of these studies have identified employment as a key research priority. Yet, there have been a few attempts to identify specific, actionable priorities within this area.

Methods

Using an online survey, we asked 197 autistic people in the United Kingdom about their priorities for future autism-employment research.

Results

Participants spoke of their challenges in gaining and sustaining meaningful employment and called for researchers to conduct research that results in direct improvements to employment experiences. Regarding their research priorities, participants indicated a need for research covering all aspects of the employment lifecycle from accessing employment to transitioning out of employment. Importantly, participants also discussed how such research should be conducted: with autistic people as co-researchers and ensuring a diverse range of autistic people are listened to.

Conclusion

While much existing autism-employment research appears to align with the priorities outlined in this study, seemingly minimal attention has been paid to later stages of the work lifecycle (e.g., progressing into more senior job roles or transitioning out of work). By identifying disparities between autistic people's priorities and the research being conducted, we can support autistic people to drive the research agenda and ensure autism-employment research positively impacts the community it aims to serve.

Potential Mechanisms Underlying Suicidality in Autistic People with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Testing Hypotheses from the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide

Background

Autistic people with co-occurring attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) appear to be at heightened risk of suicide. To understand why, we explored two explanatory mechanisms from the interpersonal theory of suicide: first, that co-occurring ADHD might be associated with greater risk through greater thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness and, secondly, that hyperactive/impulsive features might incur additional risk through their association with painful and provocative events, which are suggested to create "capability" for suicide.

Methods

Autistic adults (n = 314) completed an online survey including measures of thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, painful and provocative events, acquired capability for suicide, and ADHD features. Creating an overall index of likely ADHD, we examined associations between likely ADHD, suicide ideation, and lifetime suicide attempts through the parallel mediators of thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, anxiety, and depression. In several models, we then examined hyperactive, impulsive, and inattentive features as predictors of exposure to painful and provocative events and subsequent capability for suicide, and examined whether these two variables, sequentially or individually, mediated an association with lifetime suicide attempts.

Results

Likely ADHD was associated with past-year suicide ideation through greater depression and perceived burdensomeness, which also mediated its association with more suicide attempts. Hyperactive and impulsive features were associated with exposure to painful and provocative events and through this acquired suicide capability. Both features were associated with more numerous suicide attempts through these two mediators sequentially, and through exposure to painful and provocative events alone.

Conclusions

These data suggest that suicidality in autistic people with ADHD may be partially related to perceived burdensomeness and to acquired suicide capability after exposure to painful and provocative events. However, as we observed a pathway to suicidality associated with painful and provocative events alone, it is likely that there are also other explanatory mechanisms for the influence of traumatic events on suicide risk.

"Maybe No One Knows We Need Help": Understanding the Experiences of Autistic Working Mothers in Australia

Background

Although there are no known studies investigating autistic working mothers, research has demonstrated that managing employment and motherhood in non-autistic populations has specific challenges, as does employment in autistic populations. This autistic-led study aimed at investigating the experience of autistic working mothers to identify benefits, challenges, and support needs.

Methods

We utilized a subjectivist epistemological perspective to learn about the experiences of autistic working mothers. We recruited 10 autistic working mothers (aged 34-50 years) via social media advertisements, who participated in a 45- to 60-minute semi-structured interview where we asked questions developed in consultation with a community reference group. We transcribed interviews and then analyzed them using inductive reflexive thematic analysis.

Results

We identified three key themes. The first theme, "Wellbeing: Work gives me purpose," discusses how employment supports mental well-being. The second theme, "Challenges: It's hard being an autistic working mother," includes the challenges of balancing work and caregiving, guilt related to being a working mother, and issues with part-time work. The third theme, "The invisible disability: Everyone thinks I look okay," discusses the lack of understanding of participants' challenges, with assumptions they are coping, and the lack of supports that led to some participants no longer seeking assistance.

Conclusions

The responses of the autistic women who took part support a view that autistic working mothers may experience some similar challenges to non-autistic working mothers, including stress in juggling caring and work roles. They identified additional challenges related to their gender and their autistic identity, including a lack of understanding of the female (or "internalized") presentation of autism. These findings will help autistic working mothers by promoting a better understanding of their experiences and challenges when they speak with health professionals, government, and employers seeking support and accommodations.

Autistic Perspectives on Employment: A Scoping Review

PURPOSE

Inclusive recruitment and employment of autistic adults has garnered recent attention in research and policy. To address a need to better understand the experiences of autistic adults in relation to paid employment, we asked the literature, what are the experiences of autistic individuals (from their perspectives) in competitive employment?

METHODS

A scoping review was conducted to summarize and consolidate the findings across research to date. A systematic search and screen of the literature resulted in 32 relevant studies.

FINDINGS

Key study characteristics, participant demographics, and thematic findings are shared, along with considerations and recommendations for future research and practice. Six key themes were described by autistic participants across the 32 studies: (1) accessibility of employment, (2) workplace relationships and communication, (3) role alignment, (4) sensory needs and/or mental health, (5) colleagues' knowledge and beliefs about autism, and (6) family and community context.

CONCLUSION

It is anticipated that the results of this review will be beneficial for stakeholders engaging in discussions and decision-making across research and employment contexts.

Community Participation Challenges for Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders During COVID-19 A Photovoice Study

Autistic Individuals with or without co-occurring Mental Health Conditions Experience Challenges with Community Participation that can Affect Quality of life. These Challenges Involve, but are not Limited to, Transportation, Finances, Accessibility, Attitude towards Participation, and Infrastructure Issues. COVID-19 Added a new Layer of Community Participation Barriers for all Individuals, Especially Autistic Individuals. The purpose of this study is to understand the perceived community participation barriers and facilitators encountered by autistic individuals during a public health crisis using the Photovoice methodology. The study will compare these perceptions of autistic individuals with and without co-occurring mental health conditions during a public health crisis to determine if any distinctions can be determined. Photovoice, an established qualitative outreach methodology, was the foundation for the methods. Participants completed a narrative answering the question "what is a barrier or facilitator to your community participation?" Data were analyzed using grounded theory. Seventeen autistic participants with a mean age of 23 completed the Photovoice study. Eleven (65%) reported at least one co- occurring mental health condition. Data analysis resulted in two major themes COVID-19 and Transportation; and six subthemes access, safety, technology, leisure, shared experiences, and sensory. Autistic individuals with and without co-occurring mental health conditions chose to identify barriers more than facilitators. Participants without co-occurring mental health conditions viewed COVID-19 as a facilitator almost twice as often as those without. Participants with co-occurring mental health conditions reported transportation more as a barrier than those without. In this study conducted during COVID-19 regulations, autistic individuals identified COVID-19 and transportation as the primary barriers to community participation. COVID-19 was identified as both a barrier and a facilitator. Autistic individuals identified that COVID-19 enabled more on-line participation. Autistic individuals with co-occurring mental health conditions can experience a greater increase in symptoms when daily routines and participation are affected. Disruption and changes in participation for the autistic community during the COVID-19 pandemic can have future implications on this population's ability to reintroduce themselves into community participation. Identified facilitators; technology, shared experiences, and leisure are useful tools to combat the participation barriers.

Using the COM-B Model and Theoretical Domains Framework to Understand Workplace Disclosure Experiences, Influencers, and Needs Among Autistic Young Adults

For autistic young adults, deciding whether to disclose their autism at work is complex. Minimal research explores what they need to support disclosure and what influences decisions. To understand disclosure needs and influencers, we explored (i) disclosure decision-making experiences and (ii) perceptions of the disclosure process among autistic young adults. We conducted focus groups using the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, Behaviour Model and Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). We analyzed data from 23 participants and mapped onto the TDF to develop five themes: (1) workplace environment, (2) perceptions of disclosure outcomes, (3) personal factors and identity, (4) disclosure-related ambitions and determination, and (5) know-hows of disclosure. Future work should prioritize developing disclosure decision-making supports and investigate employer roles in fostering inclusive workplaces.

Diabetes mellitus in privately insured autistic adults in the United States

LAY ABSTRACT

Diabetes is a chronic health condition that is challenging to manage. Estimates of how common diabetes is among non-autistic adults are available, but improved estimates for autistic adults are needed. The purpose of this study was to obtain improved diabetes estimates for autistic adults. We analyzed a large private health insurance claims database to estimate how common diabetes was among autistic adults, and how likely autistic adults were to have diabetes compared to non-autistic adults at 5-year age intervals throughout adulthood (e.g. 18-22, 23-27). We found that diabetes was more common among autistic adults than non-autistic adults and that autistic adults were significantly more likely than non-autistic adults to have diabetes throughout most of adulthood. Our findings suggest that autistic adults may be more likely than non-autistic adults to experience diabetes in adulthood. The development of diabetes support services and programs that accommodate autistic adults' individual needs are important for future study to promote positive diabetes outcomes for autistic adults.

"[I] don't wanna just be like a cog in the machine": Narratives of autism and skilled employment

LAY ABSTRACT

Autistic people are less likely to be employed than the general population. Autistic people with skilled training (e.g. training for jobs in acting, plumbing, science, or social work) might be even less likely to get a good job in their field. Little is known about the experiences of autistic people in skilled employment or what employment success means to them. We interviewed 45 autistic people with skilled training in a wide range of fields, 11 job supervisors, and 8 topic experts. We asked them about their experiences, what they felt helped them to be successful at work, and what employment success means to them. Participants talked about the high stakes of disclosure, taking unconventional pathways to careers, disconnects with service and support systems, mental health challenges from trauma and burnout, the autistic advantages in the workplace, and complex dimensions of discrimination. Participants said success meant opportunities for growth, good work/life balance, financial independence, sense of community, and feeling valued, accepted, and like their work had meaning. Things that helped them be successful included flexible, accepting workplaces, supportive and respectful supervisors, and direct communication. What we learned suggests that an individualized, wholistic approach to autism employment intervention that considers both employers and employees and employee mental health could be useful. We also recommend more research into disclosure and destigmatizing disability at work.

Cost-benefit analysis of a non-government organization and Australian government collaborative supported employment program for autistic people

We present a cost-benefit analysis of an Australian Government sponsored 3-year supported employment program for autistic adults—the DXC Dandelion Program—in the information and communications technology sector. We explored the range of direct costs associated with running the program, benefits to participants, and avoided costs to the government. Estimates were based on data from 56 (86% men; Mage = 25.28, standard deviation [SD]  = 8.36 years) autistic participants in the program. The program generated a high benefit ratio for government, mainly driven by increases in wage rates and hours worked and avoiding welfare and unemployment benefit payments. Participants received the largest benefit through wages and access to the labor market, with most participants transitioning into productive, open employment following program completion. The results from the model are robust; the benefit ratio remained above 1.0 even when higher discount rates were applied. In sum, our analysis identifies potential economic savings associated with supported employment programs that provide pathways for otherwise unemployed or under-employed autistic adults to enter the workforce.

Lay abstract

Relative to the size of the population, there are fewer autistic people than non-autistic people in the workforce. Employment programs that provide extra support to autistic people may help them to gain and keep jobs that are suited to their skills and expertise. In this study, we reviewed the DXC Dandelion Program. This is a supported autism employment program run in partnership with the Australian Government. The program provided jobs to autistic people who worked in information and communications technology roles, such as software testing and cyber security. In this study, we examined some of the benefits of the program for the autistic people who participated in it. We also examined the benefits of the program to the government. We found that there are many savings to government when autistic people are employed in jobs that are matched to their skills and abilities, compared to being unemployed or working in jobs that are below their level of education, training, or skills.

Exploring the income, savings and debt levels of autistic adults living in Australia

Purpose

Many autistic adults experience unemployment, which may impact their financial circumstances. However, no research has examined their personal financial circumstances. Therefore, this study aims to examine the self-reported income, savings and debt of autistic adults living in Australia, as well as the demographic associates and predictors of income and savings.

Design/methodology/approach

Sixty-four autistic adults aged 18–67 years (Mage = 32.78, SDage = 11.36) completed an online survey containing questions relating to their financial circumstances and the autism spectrum quotient-short.

Findings

Overall, the authors found that many autistic adults are financially disadvantaged. The mode of income levels was below AU$25,000, which is substantially lower than the mean annual Australian full-time income of AU$89,123. Higher savings was associated with not having any debt or having a greater ability to repay debt. Autism traits were positively associated with income levels. As predicted, being employed was associated with and predicted higher income. People who were employed were four times more likely to have a higher income than unemployed individuals. The authors did not find a relationship between having a co-occurring mental condition with income or savings. The authors also did not find a significant association between employment status and savings.

Practical implications

These research findings have implications on how we can improve the financial circumstances of autistic adults and provide additional evidence for the importance of increasing employment opportunities for autistic individuals.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to examine the personal financial circumstances of autistic adults.

Current Status of Evidence-Based Practices to Enhance Employment Outcomes for Transition Age Youth and Adults on the Autism Spectrum

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review provides a highlight of existing evidence-based practices and community support systems that exist to enhance employment outcomes for autistic transition-age youth (TAY) and adults. An update is provided on the current status of these programs and the impact they are having on employment outcomes for this population.

RECENT FINDINGS

Many programs exist that prove to be efficacious in improving employment outcomes. These programs can be categorized as vocational rehabilitation service system level interventions, provider and consumer level interventions targeting skills related to employment, and consumer level interventions delivered within community vocational rehabilitation or education settings. A more recent increase in programs is consistent with multiple research and policy calls for amplified programming in this area. Despite these recent increases, there is still a need to further develop effective programming to support employment outcomes as the growing autistic population age into adulthood. Community-based research and practice should continue to be developed and tested.

Implications of Employment Changes Caused by COVID-19 on Mental Health and Work-Related Psychological Need Satisfaction of Autistic Employees: A Mixed-Methods Longitudinal Study

This mixed-methods study examined longitudinal data, assessing Israeli autistic adults' employment-related changes, resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. In the quantitative phase, 23 participants answered a survey before and during COVID-19, assessing work-status, mental health, and work-related psychological need satisfaction. The qualitative phase included interviews with ten employed participants. Results indicate a significant decrease in mental health of participants who lost their jobs during COVID-19, while participants who continued to physically attend work, maintained pre-COVID-19 levels on all assessed variables. Participants who transitioned to remote-work from home, showed a marginally significant deterioration in mental health and a significant decrease in satisfaction of work-related psychological needs for competence and autonomy. Qualitative accounts supplement these findings and portray advantages and disadvantages of remote-work.

Non-autistic employees' perspectives on the implementation of an autism employment programme

LAY ABSTRACT

We asked 32 employees who work alongside autistic trainees for their thoughts about the autism employment programme that is running in their company. Specifically, we analysed their responses to understand how the employees perceived the autism employment programme's implementation and outcomes. How employees within an organisation view diversity, and the nature of specific programmes to increase the inclusion of certain groups of individuals (e.g. autistic employees) in their organisation, can impact the success of these programmes. Research in other organisations has suggested that diversity perspectives that fully support the inclusion of people with diverse backgrounds in the organisation lead to better outcomes. Thematic analysis of the responses in this study revealed that the views of the employees fit three main themes: programme benefits, programme challenges and concerns about workforce integration. The programme benefits theme suggested that the autism employment programme was viewed positively. However, negative attitudes and perceptions of special treatment contributed to programme challenges, which were similar to challenges that have been observed with other disability and diversity programmes. The design of this specific programme led to concerns about workforce integration, such as reduced opportunity for social and work integration into the broader workplace. This research extends the research on diversity management in the context of autism employment, and it provides practical understanding into ways in which organisational-based autism employment programmes are more and less successful.

Supportive employment practices: perspectives of autistic employees

Purpose

Employment can make an important contribution to individual well-being, for example, by providing people with a sense of purpose; however, autistic individuals face significant barriers to entering the workforce. This is reflected in high levels of underemployment and unemployment, with an estimated 80% of autistic people unemployed worldwide. This is higher than both other disability groups and people without disabilities. Research is needed to identify strategies that facilitate the sustained employment of autistic adults. This study aims to examine the perspectives of autistic individuals participating in a specialized employment program within the information and communication technology sector.

Design/methodology/approach

Three focus groups were conducted with nine adults on the autism spectrum. Data were analyzed using an inductive approach according to established guidelines, which included coding and categorizing data into themes.

Findings

Focus group analysis revealed four themes: trainees’ previous work experiences; expectations of the employment program; recruitment and selection processes; and training and transition. Several factors associated with the changes to the recruitment and selection process were found to benefit the autistic employees.

Originality/value

Few studies have characterized the work experiences of adults on the autism spectrum. Tailored employment processes that challenge traditional human resource management practices can increase the participation of autistic individuals in the workforce. Strategies for promoting the success of these programs are discussed.

Critical Reflections on Employment Among Autistic Adults

Encouraging efforts have emerged in recent years to study and build employment opportunities for adults on the autism spectrum. In this Perspectives piece, we acknowledge this important work while offering critical reflections for consideration as the field of employment in autism advances. We call for five areas of increased focus: (1) nurturing long-term versus short-term employment success; (2) broadening employment readiness efforts beyond only the individual to the entire community employment ecosystem; (3) providing professional development that starts with an individual's strengths, and not with their disability; (4) building community employment support that can be independent of family support; and (5) striving for a good life versus just the next job. Overall, we aim to help galvanize the field toward greater consideration of individuals' quality of life and development, the broader community ecosystem around individuals and their families, and vocational stability over the life course, all on individuals' own terms.

Lay summary

Why is this topic important?: Despite encouraging international efforts for the past 15 years to advance employment for autistic adults, a low percentage of autistic adults are employed at any given point in time. Moreover, research shows that some who are employed struggle in their work situations.What is the purpose of this article?: Our goal is to begin a conversation about what we believe to be promising areas of future focus in advancing employment for autistic adults. We hope that autistic adults and their families, practitioners, researchers, and policy makers find these reflections useful as we work together toward better employment options for adults on the autism spectrum.What is the perspective of the authors?: As advocates, practitioners, researchers, and as a family member for one of us, we believe it is time to look beyond employment statistics and a historically short-term focus on employment. We would like to see a reorientation of our collective energies toward a longer-term view of employment that contributes to a good life for individuals, on their terms.What is already known about this topic?: Over the last 15 years, many employment advancement programs for autistic adults have shown promising results. We have seen positive impacts from evaluations of these programs that include improved skills, more hiring of autistic individuals, shifting employer attitudes, more inclusive work environments, and high levels of productivity among hired autistic adults. We also have increased our understanding about the characteristics of supportive work environments for autistic people. That said, we also know that there are continuing low levels of employment for autistic adults. Furthermore, whereas there are some successful stories of autistic adults gaining employment, there are also, as noted earlier, stories of adults who are struggling in the workplace, with some in low-paying jobs and not able to use their skills.What do the authors recommend?: We recommend five shifts in focus for the future: (1) nurture long-term rather than short-term employment success; (2) seek community-wide programming to support people on an ongoing basis, as opposed to a more narrow focus on individual-level job readiness; (3) provide professional development that starts with an individual's strengths, and not with their disability; (4) develop more comprehensive and accessible community resources instead of relying on families to offset community service gaps; and (5) uphold the goal of having a good life on one's own terms instead of only getting a job.How will these recommendations help autistic adults now or in the future?: We hope that these recommendations help spark new conversations and collective approaches toward improving the employment landscape for autistic individuals. These approaches would move beyond a short-term job focus and individual-level readiness programming to also build supportive community ecosystems around individuals over time. In this way, we hope that individuals can more easily achieve employment over the long term that both works for them and contributes to the important and overarching aim of quality of life.

Psychometric Evaluation of an Australian Version of the Vocational Index for Adults with Autism

Background

Autistic individuals are underrepresented in employment and postsecondary education. Research is hampered by a lack of psychometrically valid instruments that can be used to assess the vocational activities of autistic people. This study examined the psychometric properties of an Australian modified version of the Vocational Index for Adults with Autism (M-VIAA), an assessment of vocational independence.

Methods

Participants were 105 autistic and 106 nonautistic young adults aged 17-26 years recruited from the longitudinal Study of Australian School Leavers with Autism. We examined psychometric properties of the M-VIAA by (1) comparing scores between autistic and nonautistic participants, (2) examining convergent validity with daily living skills, and (3) divergent validity with autistic traits. We explored change over time by comparing baseline and 24-month follow-up scores in autistic participants.

Results

We found vocational independence to be significantly higher in nonautistic participants compared with autistic participants. We did not find a significant relationship between daily living skills and the M-VIAA. There was a small but significant relationship between the M-VIAA and autistic traits. Scores on the M-VIAA remained stable over time for a subsample of autistic participants.

Conclusions

The present study provides preliminary support for the M-VIAA with some limitations. Support for construct validity was mixed with support for concurrent and discriminant, but not convergent validity. We suggest that the M-VIAA may not capture the full complexity of vocational challenges faced by autistic people. Future research should build on the structure of the VIAA while ensuring applicability across cultures and contexts, as well as ensuring the richness of vocational activities of autistic people is captured.

Lay summary

Why was this study done?: Despite the urgent need to improve employment and other vocational outcomes of autistic people, there are few instruments that measure the range of vocational independence demonstrated by these individuals. The Vocational Index for Adults with Autism (VIAA) is an instrument that identifies the common vocational activities that autistic people engage in following high school. There is a need, however, for researchers to examine the usefulness of the instrument and its applicability in countries outside the United States.What was the purpose of this study?: The goal of this study was to evaluate a modified version of the VIAA (M-VIAA) in a group of autistic people from Australia.What did the researchers do?: We examined responses to the M-VIAA in 211 autistic and nonautistic young adults. We compared the M-VIAA with participant's daily living skills and level of autistic traits, as well as any change in scores over time.What were the results of the study?: Vocational independence was higher in nonautistic participants than in autistic participants. Vocational independence was not related to daily living skills; however, it was related to autistic traits. Over 2 years, scores on the M-VIAA did not change a lot for the autistic participants.What do these findings add to what was already known?: Our study provides some initial support for the M-VIAA in a non-US-based population. However, we also identified that the instrument may not represent the full range of challenges nor the richness of vocational activities experienced by autistic individuals in postsecondary vocational settings.What are potential weaknesses in the study?: The M-VIAA provides limited information about the richness of postsecondary vocational and education activities that autistic individuals may be engaged in. Because few individuals reported having an intellectual disability, we are unable to say how our results might apply to these individuals. Because we modified the instrument for use in Australia, our results may not apply to different countries or to the original version of the instrument.How will these findings help autistic adults now or in the future?: Our study provides preliminary support for the Australian version of the VIAA but suggests that it could be improved to better reflect the richness and range of vocational challenges experienced by autistic people. Our findings therefore identify areas for improvement for assessing the vocational activities and independence of autistic people.

Workplace Social Challenges Experienced by Employees on the Autism Spectrum: An International Exploratory Study Examining Employee and Supervisor Perspectives

Social challenges represent a significantly under-researched area when it comes to the poor employment outcomes in autism. In this exploratory study employees on the autism spectrum (N = 29) and supervisors (N = 15), representing seven continents, provided 128 written examples of workplace-based social challenges, their interpretation, consequences and resolution. Content analysis revealed that types of social challenges were individually oriented or associated with the work-environment. Social challenges were frequently attributed to internal or personal factors with direct consequences for the employee. Resolutions were more frequently targeted toward the individual than the workplace, and hindered employees' experience of work. This international study represents a first look at the types of social challenges that impact equitable work participation of autistic people.