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

Overview

Journal J Autism Dev Disord

Publisher Springer

Date 2020 Aug 19

PMID 32809168

Citations 16

Authors

Simon M Bury

Rebecca L Flower

Rosslynn Zulla

David B Nicholas

Darren Hedley

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

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.

Citing Articles

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Predictors of Adaptive Behaviors in Individuals on the Autism Spectrum as Assessed by Teachers and Parents: An Analysis Based on ABAS-3.

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Autism and Employment Challenges: The Double Empathy Problem and Perceptions of an Autistic Employee in the Workplace.

Szechy K, Turk P, ODonnell L Autism Adulthood. 2024; 6(2):205-217.

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An ecological systems model of employee experience in industry-led autism employment programmes.

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Autistic Perspectives on Employment: A Scoping Review.

Southey S, Morris R, Nicholas D, Pilatzke M J Occup Rehabil. 2024; 34(4):756-769.

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