Cost-benefit analysis of a non-government organization and Australian government collaborative supported employment program for autistic people

Abstract

We present a cost-benefit analysis of an Australian Government sponsored 3-year supported employment program for autistic adults—the DXC Dandelion Program—in the information and communications technology sector. We explored the range of direct costs associated with running the program, benefits to participants, and avoided costs to the government. Estimates were based on data from 56 (86% men; Mage = 25.28, standard deviation [SD] = 8.36 years) autistic participants in the program. The program generated a high benefit ratio for government, mainly driven by increases in wage rates and hours worked and avoiding welfare and unemployment benefit payments. Participants received the largest benefit through wages and access to the labor market, with most participants transitioning into productive, open employment following program completion. The results from the model are robust; the benefit ratio remained above 1.0 even when higher discount rates were applied. In sum, our analysis identifies potential economic savings associated with supported employment programs that provide pathways for otherwise unemployed or under-employed autistic adults to enter the workforce. Lay abstract Relative to the size of the population, there are fewer autistic people than non-autistic people in the workforce. Employment programs that provide extra support to autistic people may help them to gain and keep jobs that are suited to their skills and expertise. In this study, we reviewed the DXC Dandelion Program. This is a supported autism employment program run in partnership with the Australian Government. The program provided jobs to autistic people who worked in information and communications technology roles, such as software testing and cyber security. In this study, we examined some of the benefits of the program for the autistic people who participated in it. We also examined the benefits of the program to the government. We found that there are many savings to government when autistic people are employed in jobs that are matched to their skills and abilities, compared to being unemployed or working in jobs that are below their level of education, training, or skills.

A repeated cross‐sectional study of daily activities of autistic adults

“…While unemployment as a proportion of the labor force did fluctuate significantly across waves, it did not always differ from the general population. In previous research autistic people report higher rates of underemployment as well as unemployment in relation to the match between their level of vocational training and employment (Baldwin et al, 2014; Hedley et al, 2023) or hours worked (Roux et al, 2013). Consistent with others (Baldwin et al, 2014; Frank et al, 2018), roughly one third of participants reported that their employment was completely on parity with their level of education.…”

“…The autistic population is characterized by low employment rates (e.g., 28% Australia; Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2019; 14% US; Roux et al, 2017; 32% UK; The National Autistic Society, 2016; 14% Canada; Zwicker et al, 2017), reduced working hours, or positions poorly matched to skills or qualifications (Hedley et al, 2023; Zwicker et al, 2017). Little is known about vocational activities by gender, age, or compared to the general population (Shattuck et al, 2012).…”

An ecological systems model of employee experience in industry-led autism employment programmes

“…In Western countries where data are available, this is reflected in low rates of employment (e.g. 27.3% in Australia, Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2019; 14% in the United States & Canada, Roux et al, 2017;Zwicker et al, 2017) compared to nonautistic populations and high rates of underemployment or working in roles that do not match skills or training (Hedley et al, 2023).…”

“…This latter point may be justified, as disclosure of an autistic identity has been found to impact employer perceptions of a simulated autistic employee ( Flower et al, 2021 ). However, autistic people who are provided with a supportive work environment, including physical or sensory accommodations, supportive colleagues and job roles that are well-matched to their interests and skills, are often reliable and high-performing ( Hedley et al, 2023 ). Indeed, Hedley et al (2023) found that, when provided with appropriate supports (as part of an industry-led supported employment programme), a majority of unemployed autistic people were able to transition to stable, open employment that was matched to their skills and qualifications.…”

“…However, autistic people who are provided with a supportive work environment, including physical or sensory accommodations, supportive colleagues and job roles that are well-matched to their interests and skills, are often reliable and high-performing ( Hedley et al, 2023 ). Indeed, Hedley et al (2023) found that, when provided with appropriate supports (as part of an industry-led supported employment programme), a majority of unemployed autistic people were able to transition to stable, open employment that was matched to their skills and qualifications. It is probable that the challenges many autistic people experience obtaining and sustaining employment reflect a poor person–environment fit, lack of accommodations or lack of autism understanding, rather than a lack of skills or ability to function in mainstream work environments.…”