It is, indeed, not easy for many people to make sense of the job market, but often, additional obstacles make autistic people’s lives much more challenging. With both finding a job and sustaining it, and at every level of the employment process, we face challenges which, unfortunately, may affect our professional success (Davies et al., 2024). Expert advice and my personal stories, along with practical tips for employers, will help many get a big picture as to why certain parts of the working world are more difficult for us.
Challenges in Job Searching
One of the biggest barriers autistic people face is the job search itself. Traditional hiring, for instance, via interviews seldom takes the neurodiverse into consideration (Davies et al., 2023). Interviews tend to go toward social skills and quick thinking, which are areas where autistic individuals usually struggle the most (de Vries, 2024). With this, employers often pass over autistic people who are highly skilled candidates since an interview process would not allow them to reach their full potential.
Personal Experience: For me, the interview process always seemed to be a test of how well I could mask my autistic traits rather than an opportunity to show my skills. Pressure for making eye contact, catching social cues, and quick responses tended to drown out the actual qualifications.
One time, I applied for a job which I wasn’t only qualified for, but I also had tons of writing samples to prove that I was qualified. I was passionate about it. I’m sure the employers knew this deep down. However, after two interviews and nearly a month after the first interview, I got the email saying I wasn’t picked. I feel as if my social interaction skills were the main reason I didn’t get the job. For some positions I didn’t get picked for, I admittedly was behind numerous candidates regarding qualifications, so they weren’t huge letdowns. This one, however, was a tough pill for me to swallow.
Expert Insight: As Dr. Ludmila N. Praslova, an autistic professor of organizational psychology, says, “This discrimination is a systemic problem. For instance, consider a major workplace barrier: the job application process. Both the process and the content surrounding “how to nail a job interview” heavily favor neurotypicality. As a consequence, many autistic people feel pressured to follow popular advice and appear as non-autistic as possible to land and keep a job” (Praslova, 2021).
Specific Career Pathways: Opportunities and Challenges
Fortunately, some professions will fit better into the strong abilities most autistics have (Cope, 2022). Even so, as I implied in my above personal example, this does not always mean that autistic people won’t have great struggles finding their desired employment.
1) Technology and IT
Opportunities: Because of the structured nature and requirement for skills rather than social interaction, jobs within the technology or IT sectors, such as software development, data analysis, and cybersecurity, could be well-suited to autistic individuals (Palumbo, 2022). Many autistic people do super well at performing tasks that require attention to detail, pattern recognition, and problem-solving, all of which are key components of these jobs (Crespi, 2021).
Challenges: The challenges autistics might face in the sector, depending on what they struggle with the most, include tight deadlines, a high-pressure environment, and sometimes having to work with teams that lack structure (Demetriou E A et al., 2018, and Hendricks, 2010). Also, some might find the rapid speed of the technology world overwhelming (Geurts HM et al., 2009).
Suggestions for Employers:
- Create clear, concrete written directions and set expectations in advance (Vo, 2023).
- Try to provide options such as working from home or adjusted hours (Vo, 2023).
- Or to really go above and beyond, offer mentorship or peer support programs that can help autistics cope with the workplace’s social dynamics (Vo, 2023).
2) Creative Arts and Design
Opportunities: The creative field of graphic design, animation, writing, or music would suit a person on the spectrum who is creative and detail-oriented (Angelsense, 2021). Many of these employment opportunities sometimes allow for expression through other means than verbal communication and often are extremely fulfilling to those with particular talents in the arts.
Challenges: What may be particularly challenging for autistic individuals is how unpredictable creative fields may be (Demetriou E A et al., 2018). Fluctuating workloads or self-promotion demands can, indeed, be prime examples. There are also sensory sensitivities to consider in studios or workshops, such as bright lights or loud noises (Vo, 2023).
Personal Experience: In my freelance writing journey, one thing I have found tough for my autism is the unpredictability of being a freelance writer. When I apply for gigs, I may get responses when I pitch one week, only to get none another. This lack of routine can make it hard to stay motivated at times.
Fortunately, to make up for the little predictability there is with things beyond my control, I have created a routine for what days of the week I’ll most frequently work on certain types of material. This especially helps because, as a young autistic child, over 20 years ago, one of my unusual fascinations was calendars. It adds a touch of nostalgia to that interest, as well.
Suggestions for Employers:
- Make sure you have a well-structured schedule with clear deadlines (McPherson, 2024).
- Be as accommodating as possible with changes in the workspace, such as adjusting the lighting or noise level (Vo, 2023).
- Accept that everyone works and creates differently.
3) Research and Academia
Opportunities: Research roles in academia, science, or market research usually draw on strengths that typically play to the strengths of autistic individuals (Jones, 2023). Such roles can also generally be solitary in nature, which can be quite comfortable.
Challenges: Academia challenges may involve fitting into social hierarchies (Ylijoki, 2022), needing to present orally when one may not always have confidence (Soomro et al., 2019), and the competitive field itself (Joubert, 2024). The pressure to publish and meet high standards can also be tough (Demetriou E A et al., 2018).
Suggestions for Employers:
- You can offer alternative ways an autistic employee can present findings other than public speaking, such as submitting written reports instead.
- Think about encouraging networking opportunities in more remote environments, such as LinkedIn (Worsley, 2020).
- Provide the clearest feedback and guidance toward employment that you can (Vo, 2023).
Workplace Accommodations
Once employers hire autistic individuals, unless the workplace environment itself adapts to their needs, problems may persist (Davies et al., 2023). Many autistic people have difficulties related to sensory sensitivity, social interaction (Kojovic, 2019), or routine (McPherson, 2024). The reality is that numerous workplaces offer neither the flexibility nor the understanding necessary for the support such needs call for (Davies et al., 2023).
Practical Suggestions for Employers:
- Communicate Clearly: It’s best to write instructions and expectations. This way, autistic employees are able to complete their tasks without verbal instructions, which causes confusion (CCDI Consulting, n.d.).
- Design Sensory-Friendly Workspaces: Handy adjustments that you can make with the environment can include increasing natural light, reducing loud sounds, or using headphones to assist the autistic employee (de Vries, 2021).
- Offer Flexible Work Arrangements: This could come in terms of hours or remote working, which allows some autistic people who find the office setting too overwhelming a chance to work (Tomczak et al., 2022).
Supportive Working Environment
Supportive work for the autistic, besides work accommodation, also means a workplace culture that values neurodiversity (Praslova, 2021). Autistic employees are often stigmatized or misunderstood, and other colleagues may exclude them from important projects or, sometimes, even bully them (Turnock et al., 2022).
Expert Insight: Melinda Gates says, “If we want to include everyone, we have to help everyone develop their talents and use their gifts for the good of the community. That’s what inclusion means – everyone contributes” (Garnett Akinsanya, 2021).
Recommendations for Autistic Individuals: For autistic people in employment, self-advocacy and seeking out environments that meet one’s needs are important. Some tips I recommend based on some of my past experiences are:
- Fully Understanding Your Rights: Take note of your rights at the workplace and related accommodations under laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
- Finding Support Groups That Are a Great Fit: You can learn about autism advocacy groups and/or vocational services that can help mentor and guide you throughout your job search and career development.
- Communicating Your Needs Straightforwardly: Ask for the accommodations that would suit you best, such as written instructions, a quiet workspace, and/or flexible hours.
Creating Inclusive Employment for Autistic Individuals
The issues people on the spectrum may face in their employment can be quite unique, but with the proper help and accommodations, all involved can easily manage them. When employers accommodate individual needs through inclusive hiring practices and supportive work environments, they draw from the many talents autistic individuals provide to ensure a diverse workplace.
When an autistic person is thoroughly aware of their strengths, can actively self-advocate for necessary accommodations, or find supportive workplaces, they can have full and rewarding employment. It’s all about not having an average support system but a great one.
Cory Morrison is a Freelance Writer. He can be reached by email at corymorrison93@gmail.com or phone at (647) 338-9095.
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