Top

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders

Gepubliceerd in:

12-01-2022 | Original Paper

Workplace Adjustments for Autistic Employees: What is ‘Reasonable’?

Auteurs: Stephanie Petty, Lydia Tunstall, Hannah Richardson, Niamh Eccles

Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders | Uitgave 1/2023

Abstract

Autistic adults are inadequately supported in the workplace. This study sought a definition of ‘reasonable’ and explored facilitators and barriers to employers making reasonable adjustments. 98 employers and employees across a UK city completed a survey; 15% identified as being autistic. Qualitative data were analysed using framework analysis. Reasonable adjustments were defined as having a positive impact on autistic employees’ wellbeing and work outputs without being detrimental to non-autistic employees or the organisation; they were low cost and easily implemented. Recommendations were for autism awareness training, low-stimulus work spaces, clear instructions and flexible working hours. A definition of reasonable is added to the literature, with suggestions of where to invest support efforts. Recommendations mostly apply to the education sector.

vorige artikel Exploration of Treatment Response in Parent Training for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Moderate Food Selectivity

volgende artikel Characterizing Daily-Life Social Interactions in Adolescents and Young Adults with Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Comparison Between Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders and 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). American Psychiatric Publishing.CrossRef

Anderson, A. H., Stephenson, J., & Carter, M. (2017). A systematic literature review of the experiences and supports of students with autism spectrum disorder in post-secondary education. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 39, 33–53.CrossRef

Baldwin, S., Costley, D., & Warren, A. (2014). Employment activities and experiences of adults with high-functioning autism and Asperger’s disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44(10), 2440–2449. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2112-zCrossRef

Black, M. H., Mahdi, S., Milbourn, B., Thompson, C., D’Angelo, A., Ström, E., & Bölte, S. (2019). Perspectives of key stakeholders on employment of autistic adults across the United States, Australia, and Sweden. Autism Research, 12(11), 1648–1662. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.2167CrossRef

Bölte, S. (2021). “We believe in good jobs, fair jobs, dignifying jobs that give you a good sense of identity”: Career and job guidance counseling in autism. Autism, 25(4), 857–861. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361321990325CrossRef

Bowman, A. D. (2020). What we know about employers’ perspectives on successfully integrating adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders in the workplace. International Journal of Psychiatry Research, 3(1), 1–4.

Buckley, E., Pellicano, E., & Remington, A. (2020). “The real thing I struggle with is other people’s perceptions”: The experiences of autistic performing arts professionals and attitudes of performing arts employers in the UK. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 51(1), 45–59. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04517-0CrossRef

Burgstahler, S., & Russo-Gleicher, R. J. (2015). Applying universal design to address the needs of postsecondary students on the autism spectrum. Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability, 28(2), 199–212.

Bury, S. M., Flower, R. L., Zulla, R., Nicholas, D. B., & Hedley, D. (2020). Workplace social challenges experienced by employees on the autism spectrum: An international exploratory study examining employee and supervisor perspectives. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04662-6CrossRef

Cassidy, S. A., Nicolaidis, C., Davies, B., Rosa, S. D. R., Eisenman, D., Onaiwu, M. G., & Waisman, T. C. (2020). An expert discussion on autism in the COVID-19 pandemic. Autism in Adulthood, 2(2), 106–117. https://doi.org/10.1089/aut.2020.29013.sjcCrossRef

Dreaver, J., Thompson, C., Girdler, S., Adolfsson, M., Black, M. H., & Falkmer, M. (2020). Success factors enabling employment for adults on the autism spectrum from employers’ perspective. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50(5), 1657–1667. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-03923-3CrossRef

Equality and Human Rights Commission. (2010). Equality Act 2010 Employment Statutory Code of Practice. HMSO.

Fletcher-Watson, S., & Happé, F. (2019). Autism: A new introduction to psychological theory and current debate. Routledge.CrossRef

Flower, R. L., Hedley, D., Spoor, J. R., & Dissanayake, C. (2019). An alternative pathway to employment for autistic jobseekers: A case study of a training and assessment program targeted to autistic job candidates. Journal of Vocational Education & Training, 71(3), 407–428. https://doi.org/10.1080/13636820.2019.1636846CrossRef

Frank, F., Jablotschkin, M., Arthen, T., Riedel, A., Fangmeier, T., & Hölzel, L. P. (2018). Education and employment status of adults with autism spectrum disorders in Germany – a cross-sectional-survey. BMC Psychiatry, 18(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-018-1645-7CrossRef

Gal, E., Landes, E., & Katz, N. (2015). Work performance skills in adults with and without high functioning autism spectrum disorders (HFASD). Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 10, 71–77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2014.10.011CrossRef

Gale, N. K., Heath, G., Cameron, E., Rashid, S., & Redwood, S. (2013). Using the framework method for the analysis of qualitative data in multi-disciplinary health research. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 13(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2288-13-117CrossRef

Hagner, D., & Cooney, B. F. (2005). “I do that for everybody”: Supervising employees with autism. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 20(2), 91–97. https://doi.org/10.1177/10883576050200020501CrossRef

Hayward, S. M., McVilly, K. R., & Stokes, M. A. (2019). Autism and employment: What works. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 60, 48–58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2019.01.006CrossRef

Hedley, D., Cai, R., Uljarevic, M., Wilmot, M., Spoor, J. R., Richdale, A., & Dissanayake, C. (2018). Transition to work: Perspectives from the autism spectrum. Autism, 22(5), 528–541. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361316687697CrossRef

Hedley, D., Uljarević, M., Bury, S. M., & Dissanayake, C. (2019). Predictors of mental health and well-being in employed adults with autism spectrum disorder at 12-month follow-up. Autism Research, 12(3), 482–494.CrossRef

Hendricks, D. (2010). Employment and adults with autism spectrum disorders: Challenges and strategies for success. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 32(2), 125–134. https://doi.org/10.3233/JVR-2010-0502CrossRef

Jacob, A., Scott, M., Falkmer, M., & Falkmer, T. (2015). The costs and benefits of employing an adult with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review. PLoS ONE, 10(10), e0139896. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0139896CrossRef

Lee, G. K., & Carter, E. W. (2012). Preparing transition-age students with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders for meaningful work. Psychology in the Schools, 49(10), 988–1000.CrossRef

Lindsay, S., Cagliostro, E., Leck, J., Shen, W., & Stinson, J. (2019). Employers’ perspectives of including young people with disabilities in the workforce, disability disclosure and providing accommodations. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 50(2), 141–156. https://doi.org/10.3233/JVR-180996CrossRef

López, B., & Keenan, L. (2014). Barriers to employment in autism: Future challenges to implementing the Adult Autism Strategy. Autism Research Network. Retrieved June 11, 2021, from http://www.autismrpphub.org/sites/default/files/articles/employment_report.pdf.

National Autistic Society (2011). Untapped Talent. Retrieved June 11, 2021, from https://www.3dnovations.co.uk/pdf/Untapped_Talent_-_English.pdf.

National Autistic Society (2016b). Employing autistic people – a guide for employers. Retrieved June 11, 2021, from https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/employment/employing-autistic-people/employers.

National Autistic Society (2016a). The autism employment gap. Retrieved June 11, 2021, from https://www.basw.co.uk/system/files/resources/basw_53224-4_0.pdf.

National Autistic Society (2019). The Autism Act, 10 years on: a report from the all parliamentary group on autism on understanding, services and support for autistic people and their families in England. Retrieved June 11, 2021, from https://pearsfoundation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/APPGA-Autism-Act-Inquiry-Report.pdf.

Office for National Statistics (2012). 2011 Census: Population Estimates for the United Kingdom, March 2011. Retrieved June 11, 2021, from https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/bulletins/2011censuspopulationestimatesfortheunitedkingdom/2012-12-17.

Office for National Statistics (2021). Outcomes for disabled people in the UK: 2020. Retrieved June 11, 2021, from https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/disability/articles/outcomesfordisabledpeopleintheuk/2020.

Oomen, D., Nijhof, A. D., & Wiersema, J. R. (2021). The psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adults with autism: A survey study across three countries. Molecular Autism, 12(1), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13229-021-00424-yCrossRef

Patton, E. (2019). Autism, attributions and accommodations: Overcoming barriers and integrating a neurodiverse workforce. Personnel Review, 48(4), 915–934. https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-04-2018-0116CrossRef

Pellicano, E., Dinsmore, A., & Charman, T. (2014). What should autism research focus upon? Community views and priorities from the United Kingdom. Autism, 18(7), 756–770. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361314529627CrossRef

Remington, A. M., & Pellicano, E. (2018). Sometimes you just need someone to take a chance on you’: An internship programme for autistic graduates at Deutsche Bank, UK. Journal of Management and Organization. https://doi.org/10.1017/jmo.2018.66CrossRef

Ritchie, J., & Spencer, L. (1994). Qualitative data analysis for applied policy research. In A. Bryman & R. G. Burgess (Eds.), Analyzing qualitative data (pp. 173–194). Routledge.CrossRef

Roberts, R., Beadle-Brown, J., & Youell, D. (2011). Promoting social inclusion for children and adults on the autism spectrum – reflections on policy and practice. Tizard Learning Disability Review, 6(4), 45–52. https://doi.org/10.1108/13595471111172840CrossRef

Sarrett, J. (2017). Interviews, disclosures, and misperceptions: autistic adults’ perspectives on employment related challenges. Disability Studies Quarterly. https://doi.org/10.18061/dsq.v37i2.5524CrossRef

Scott, M., Falkmer, M., Girdler, S., & Falkmer, T. (2015). Viewpoints on factors for successful employment for adults with autism spectrum disorder. PLoS ONE, 10(10), e0139281. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0139281CrossRef

Scott, M., Jacob, A., Hendrie, D., Parsons, R., Girdler, S., Falkmer, T., & Falkmer, M. (2017). Employers’ perception of the costs and the benefits of hiring individuals with autism spectrum disorder in open employment in Australia. PLoS ONE, 12(5), e0177607. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0177607CrossRef

Simpson, S. (2016). Checklist for autism-friendly environments. Retrieved June 11, 2021, from https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg142/resources/endorsed-resource-checklist-forautismfriendly-environments-2016-2665557037.

Solomon, C. (2020). Autism and employment: Implications for employers and adults with ASD. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50(11), 4209–4217. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04537-wCrossRef

Taylor, J. L., McPheeters, M. L., Sathe, N. A., Dove, D., Veenstra-VanderWeele, J., & Warren, Z. (2012). A systematic review of vocational interventions for young adults with autism spectrum disorders. Paediatrics, 130(3), 531–538. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2012-0682CrossRef

Taylor, J. L., & Seltzer, M. M. (2011). Employment and post-secondary educational activities for young adults with autism spectrum disorders during the transition to adulthood. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 41(5), 566–574. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-010-1070-3CrossRef

Waisman-Nitzan, M., Gal, E., & Schreuer, N. (2019). Employers’ perspectives regarding reasonable accommodations for employees with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of Management and Organization, 25(4), 481–498. https://doi.org/10.1017/jmo.2018.59CrossRef

Wanberg, C. R. (2012). The individual experience of unemployment. Annual Review of Psychology, 63, 369–396. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-120710-100500CrossRef

Whelpley, C. E., Banks, G. C., Bochantin, J. E., & Sandoval, R. (2020). Tensions on the spectrum: An inductive investigation of employee and manager experiences of autism. Journal of Business and Psychology, 36(2), 283–297. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10869-019-09676-1CrossRef

Titel: Workplace Adjustments for Autistic Employees: What is ‘Reasonable’?
Auteurs: Stephanie Petty
Lydia Tunstall
Hannah Richardson
Niamh Eccles
Publicatiedatum: 12-01-2022
Uitgeverij: Springer US
Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders / Uitgave 1/2023
Print ISSN: 0162-3257
Elektronisch ISSN: 1573-3432
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-05413-x

Andere artikelen Uitgave 1/2023

Story Comprehension Monitoring Across Visual, Listening, and Written Modalities in Children with and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder

Original Paper

Effects of Parental Involvement in Robot-Assisted Autism Therapy

Open Access
Original Paper

Use of a Best Practice Alert (BPA) to Increase Diversity Within a US-Based Autism Research Cohort

Original Paper

Dyadic Effect of Coping on the Perceived Impact of ASD of Children on Parental Quality of Life: Report from the ELENA Cohort

Original Paper

Specific Global–Local Visual Processing Abilities Mediate the Influence of Non-social Autistic-like Traits on Mental Rotation

Original Paper

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Daily Life: Diverse Experiences for Autistic Adults

Original Paper

Bohn Stafleu van Loghum

Welkom bij THIM Hogeschool voor Fysiotherapie & Bohn Stafleu van Loghum

Registreer

Login

Workplace Adjustments for Autistic Employees: What is ‘Reasonable’?

Abstract

Andere artikelen Uitgave 1/2023

Story Comprehension Monitoring Across Visual, Listening, and Written Modalities in Children with and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder

Effects of Parental Involvement in Robot-Assisted Autism Therapy

Use of a Best Practice Alert (BPA) to Increase Diversity Within a US-Based Autism Research Cohort

Dyadic Effect of Coping on the Perceived Impact of ASD of Children on Parental Quality of Life: Report from the ELENA Cohort

Specific Global–Local Visual Processing Abilities Mediate the Influence of Non-social Autistic-like Traits on Mental Rotation

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Daily Life: Diverse Experiences for Autistic Adults

Bohn Stafleu van Loghum

Welkom bij THIM Hogeschool voor Fysiotherapie & Bohn Stafleu van Loghum

Registreer

Login

Deel dit onderdeel of sectie (kopieer de link)

Abstract

Log in om toegang te krijgen

Story Comprehension Monitoring Across Visual, Listening, and Written Modalities in Children with and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder

Effects of Parental Involvement in Robot-Assisted Autism Therapy

Use of a Best Practice Alert (BPA) to Increase Diversity Within a US-Based Autism Research Cohort

Dyadic Effect of Coping on the Perceived Impact of ASD of Children on Parental Quality of Life: Report from the ELENA Cohort

Specific Global–Local Visual Processing Abilities Mediate the Influence of Non-social Autistic-like Traits on Mental Rotation

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Daily Life: Diverse Experiences for Autistic Adults