It is a common and unfortunate misconception that individuals with autism are unable to join the workforce. They face many barriers to getting gainful employment, including societal prejudices against their symptoms, hiring processes that are not accepting of neurodiversity and a lack of support on offer in many organizations.
This final obstacle is overcome by employment programs for individuals on the spectrum. These organizations, often run as a not for profit enterprises, provide two key services: they help people with autism to identify and apply for jobs that would be a good fit for the individual, and they work to find organizations willing to make accommodations to hire individuals with autism and find out why they bring incredible value to the workplace.
As with all service providers, however, not all employment programs are created equally, and learning how to choose the right employment program for adults with autism can be tricky. However, there are four important questions to ask when you’re doing your initial research to get the ball rolling:
1. Does the program address all levels of need? – many employment programs for adults on the spectrum solely focus on those who are higher functioning and already have some skills that will help them cope with the day to day working experience. However, all individuals with autism have the right and the ability to find meaningful work, and the right employment program will meet the individual where they are at, recognizing both their specific needs and their strengths. In particular, look out for programs where the choice of work is given over to the person with autism instead of being forced upon them. Not only is this more likely to gain more traction in the long term, but it also respects their choices as an individual and recognizes their full place in society.
2. Does the program tailor the experience? – there is a common maxim surrounding people on the spectrum: “when you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism”. The disorder manifests itself in many different ways, which can make it hard for employment agencies to create one size fits all packages. The ideal employment program for adults on the spectrum will treat each person uniquely, finding out about their skills and interests and helping them to find meaningful employment and supports to help make the most of these.
3. Does the program go beyond training? – while vocational training is an essential part of the process to get someone with autism ready for the workplace, it is often an over simplified reflection of what the actual working experience will be like. A good employment program for individuals with ASD should include training in reading social situations in the workplace, modeling of appropriate behaviors for the workplace and building confidence with general life skills such as morning organization and transport to and from work. These supports should also be on offer once the job has started to help overcome any specific difficulties associated with the particular job.
4. What work does the program do with potential employers? It’s one thing for an organization to agree to be part of an employment program for individuals with autism, but it’s quite another to create a business that is truly autism friendly. The employment program provider has a big part to play in this process, providing training and resources to all members of staff who will be working alongside the person on the spectrum, not just the direct line managers. This holistic approach will make sure that all accommodations will be followed that are necessary for them to succeed as an independent individual in the workplace.
The fact that many of these Autism hiring program and employment programs for adults on the spectrum are not for profit means that you should be able to engage in discussions about these four questions without incurring any charges. In fact, it will be worth your while shopping around to make sure that the employment program that you choose is the best fit for the individual in your care. Most of the organizations will be able and willing to point you in another direction if they can’t meet the needs of your loved ones with their program as they all share the same goal: to provide meaningful employment for individuals wherever they are on the spectrum.
