Improving Neurodivergent Experiences in the Workplace: Identifying Barriers and Facilitators to Employment for Autistic Adults

Autistic adults have higher rates of unemployment and underemployment than both non-autistic disabled and non-disabled adults. Given the positive relationship between employment and quality of life, it is essential to gain a better understanding of the obstacles to and facilitators of employment for autistic adults. A mixed methods approach is used to study the landscape of accommodations for autistic adults (N = 85) who are currently or were previously employed. Additionally, the positive and negative factors related to employment are considered within an ecological systems framework. Approximately half of the participants reported that they did not receive any workplace accommodations, while 73.2% of these individuals believed they would benefit from accommodations. Of the factors impacting employment, task training received the most positive, and mental health challenges received the most negative average rating. Qualitative analyses of free responses revealed positive and negative contributors to employment experiences impacting five levels of interaction across four themes (acceptance of neurodivergence, communication, autonomy, and formal/informal accommodations). The themes act differentially across the levels. Recommendations for novel accommodations are described relating to each theme and level. Importantly, increased top-down support for employees and cultural changes are essential for the long-term employment success of autistic adults.