Statistics suggest that people with autism are less likely to be in employment. This is not because they are incapable of working, but because of poor understanding and lack of support. Appropriate job training for adults with autism can help prepare them for employment by both building relevant skills and improving their confidence.
Why can employment for adults with autism be challenging?
There are a wide range of reasons that adults with autism may find it difficult to find and maintain employment. This begins with the application process, such as writing a personal statement or participating in an interview, and it continues in the workplace itself. Many people with autism struggle with communication and social skills. They may not understand the usual responses expected when interacting with interviewers, employers, colleagues, or customers or what constitutes appropriate behavior.
For those with sensory processing issues, the physical environment where they work may be under- or overstimulating and cause them distress. There may also be adjacent issues, such as when trying to use public transport to travel to work. These challenges may be exacerbated if employers and colleagues have a poor understanding of autism, and do not know how to provide appropriate accommodations and support.
How can job training for adults with autism help?
Many of the difficulties faced by adults with autism who are seeking employment are part of more general issues with communication, social interaction, and other skills of independent living. These are often taught in programs for adults with autism, and those that have general applicability can be adapted specifically for workplace situations. Other skills, such as professionalism, workplace health, and safety, or technology unique to the workplace, are more specific.
Staff in a program for adults with autism should have the knowledge and experience to help adults with autism identify careers that may suit their interests and strengths. They should then help them prepare their resumes and practice interview techniques as well as start to develop the skills they will need. While learning these skills may begin in the controlled environment of the classroom, with the help of professional and experienced staff, one of the best ways to practice employment skills is through work experience placements.
Internal placement within the boundaries of the program means that students are still in a familiar and comfortable environment whilst involving themselves in different aspects of career building. External placements can then be set up with partner organizations and employers who have experience with workers with autism and understand how to accommodate their needs.
How can success in employment translate to wider success in life?
Employment is often a key element of being able to live independently as an adult, most obviously because it provides a source of income. It is also one of the main ways that people make new friends and challenge themselves to develop new skills. It can provide a sense of purpose and meaning. This allows the employed adult to feel more confident in themselves and their place in the world, as well as allowing them to carry their income, relationships, and new skills into other areas of their lives.
It may be challenging for adults with autism and similar conditions to find and maintain employment, but the benefits of being able to work are clear, not just in terms of income but also because of potential improvements to mental and emotional wellbeing. That is why adults with autism must receive appropriate job training and support.