Can Autistic People Work?
If you’re an employer looking to build up your workforce, you might be wondering: can autistic people work?
The answer: yes!
While autism exists on a spectrum and there is no singular type of individual with autism, employers have been hiring autistic people for many, many years, and along the way we’ve seen that there are actually quite a few benefits to doing so.
About 2.2% of the adult population in the U.S. is on the autism spectrum,1 meaning that it is likely an employer will come across an individual with autism during a hiring process. So, what can be expected? Below, we’re exploring what to know about autism at work, including some quick advice on how to accommodate autistic employees and help them do their best.
What Can an Autistic Employee Offer?
An autistic employee, just like any other employee, brings with them a set of skills, strengths, and talents that can be a major asset to any company.
While autism is often correlated with a lack of social skills, that doesn’t mean an autistic employee can’t be a team player. It also doesn’t take away from many of the skills that they do tend to possess, including reliability, higher levels of concentration, and strong research skills.
Autistic or not, every potential hire is different. By not letting autism play into consideration when hiring, businesses can open up the playing field to a wider pool of prospective talent—and do their part to help reduce the stigma that individuals with autism so often face.
Autism in the Workplace
Autism in the workplace has become more common as we gain a better understanding of what autism looks like, and what it means for a person’s wider capacities.
About 60% of people with autism have average or above-average intelligence,2 making them excellent assets for any company to have. In order to benefit both employee and employer however, it’s important to consider how the process of hiring and working with an autistic individual may vary from that of a non-autistic individual. That includes focusing on an autistic person’s strengths, even in light of what can be perceived as “weaknesses” in the workplace, and keeping in mind all of the essential functions they can perform.
With all this in mind, why then are 85% of college-educated adults with autism unemployed?3 It likely comes down to misconceptions, as well as a failure to provide reasonable accommodations that allow autistic individuals to thrive at work. But, doing better is possible, and we’ve already come a long way.
How to Accommodate Autism in the Workplace
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC), individuals with autism should be afforded the same chance at snagging an open opportunity as anybody else.
So, what are some ways you can accommodate an employee with autism and help them perform their best? Some of the best recommendations include appointing a mentor who can help personally guide the employee and serve as a source of support, holding regular one-on-one meetings to discuss any feedback on both sides, and seeking out resources from national organizations like Living Autism, which provide autism coaching and training.
Want to Learn More?
As one of Miami’s leading behavioral health organizations for the treatment of children with autism, our team at the Autism Specialty Group is proud to advocate for the needs of all of those on the spectrum. Learn more about us, and if you would like more information about what autism looks like (including what it might look like in a workplace environment), please contact us for firsthand guidance.
References
1. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/features/adults-living-with-autism-spectrum-disorder.html
4. https://fitforwork.org/blog/autism-in-the-workplace/