Improving Autistic Experiences in the Workplace: Key Factors and Actionable Steps

Autistic adults have higher rates of unemployment and underemployment than non-autistic adults with and without disabilities. While previous work has highlighted factors specific to individuals and/or job sectors that serve as barriers or facilitators to autistic employment, the question of how to modify the workplace itself to best support autistic needs remains under-researched. The present study utilized an ecological framework to investigate the factors and overarching principles in the workplace that are most relevant to improving autistic employment experiences and provide actionable steps for various stakeholders to modify these variables. Autistic participants (N = 85) from a range of employment sectors provided quantitative ratings and written descriptions of positive and negative factors related to employment experiences. Quantitative analyses revealed which factors, on average, have the most positive (task training) and negative (mental health) impact on employment experiences. An inductive thematic analysis of free responses revealed four themes (acceptance, communication, autonomy, accommodations) that can be embedded within a workplace to improve experiences. Participant responses were then used to derive actionable solutions for modifying these factors across levels of the workplace. Proposed solutions were validated by autistic and neuroinclusion experts and actionable steps are provided for improving autistic experiences in the workplace.