Autism in the Workplace
Autism is a spectrum condition that affects how people interact and communicate with the world.
Recent employment statistics found that only 22% of autistic people in the UK are in employment, compared to 54% of all disabled people and 81% of non-disabled people. This is a significant employment gap that needs to be addressed.
We know that autistic people have unique and valuable skills which can be an asset to any organisation. Whilst no autistic person is the same, autistic people tend to be efficient and logical thinkers, with fantastic attention to detail and retention skills.
However, when you are autistic there are barriers to break in the traditional workplace. Autistic people may be misunderstood at work which can make work unnecessarily stressful.
Recent employment statistics found that only 22% of autistic people in the UK are in employment, compared to 54% of all disabled people and 81% of non-disabled people. This is a significant employment gap that needs to be addressed.
We know that autistic people have unique and valuable skills which can be an asset to any organisation. Whilst no autistic person is the same, autistic people tend to be efficient and logical thinkers, with fantastic attention to detail and retention skills.
However, when you are autistic there are barriers to break in the traditional workplace. Autistic people may be misunderstood at work which can make work unnecessarily stressful.
Our Autism Support
At Exceptional Individuals, we provide workplace needs assessments to ensure the working environment is suitable so that employees with autism can make the most of their valuable skills. Employers can access financial support through the Access to Work scheme to cover some, or all, of the costs of implementing our recommendations.
We offer neurodiverse employee support for employees with autism. We help them identify and enhance strengths and work through challenges such as soft skills, communication, and confidence.
We also provide neurodiversity consultancy services for employers looking to support their employees and make the most of their talent pool.
Top tips for Employers
Make the workspace calming
Sensory overload is a common concern for many people with autism which can manifest differently from person to person. For example, bright lighting, noise, and room temperature. There could be a space made available where the light is dimmed and muted colours are used. It may also be helpful to have a quiet retreat when work becomes overwhelming, this could include comfortable furniture and minimal visual stimulation.
Implement structure
Sit down with your employee when they first start and discuss the work style that suits them. This may include providing an easy to follow work agenda which will make tasks clearer to understand. Another example is to break down spontaneous tasks into little chunks with agreed goals.
Communication is key
Socialising and communicating may not come easy to people with autism, so as an employer it is good to explain clearly what language and communication style is expected in your organisation. Let them know who they can trust to speak to about workplace issues and what to share with other employees. We recommend letting them introduce themselves in their own terms to their colleagues. When talking about their work, ask how they want to be relayed the information e.g. via email, skype, telephone as they may prefer a particular communication style.
Interested in our Autism Workplace Support service?
Give us a call on 0208 133 6046.
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