Positive Autism: Investigation of Workplace Characteristics Leading to a Strengths-Based Approach to Employment of People with Autism

Wong, Peter Sun San; Donelly, Michelle; Neck, Phil; Boyd, William E

doi:10.24818/rmci.2018.1.15

Cited by 20 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…Under these types of conditions, the visual and spatial thinking capabilities stemming from neurodiversity may be particularly advantageous. Consistent with research findings that show that neurodiversity can lead to creativity and the generation of novel solutions to problems (Wong et al, 2018), novel problem situations may reinforce the link between the information processing competencies associated with neurodiversity and leadership behavior, as they may provide an opportunity for those cognitive strengths to manifest.…”

Section: A Model Of Neurodiverse Leadershipsupporting

confidence: 78%

“…Accordingly, neurodiverse individuals are more likely to engage in spatial thinking than neurotypical, language-based thinkers (Grandin, 2009). Given the uniqueness of such visual processing, research has shown that neurodiversity can lead to creativity and the generation of novel solutions to problems (Wong, Donelly, Neck, & Boyd, 2018). Interestingly, the findings of studies examining the cost and benefits of hiring employees with ASD suggest that the addition of such diverse processing skills and approaches also helps to create more adaptive work environments (see Scott et al, 2017).…”

Section: Neurodiversity As a Leadership Capabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The term neurodiversity itself captures divergent cognitive processes in both idea generation and evaluation (e.g., see Grandin, 2009). With propensities for sensory-based information processing that involves visual and spatial thinking, neurodiverse individuals may engage in creative thinking and novel idea generation (Wong et al, 2018). At the same time, an intensified proclivity for discriminability may fuel information processing in a way that leverages their case-based knowledge or mental models to hone such ideas into workable solutions to problems (Morris et al, 2015).…”

Section: A Model Of Neurodiverse Leadershipmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As the need for structure and predictability stemming from neurodiversity also manifests for some individuals as attention to rules and principles (see Baron-Cohen et al, 2009), these characteristics may also lead to stewardship. Research shows that with a concentration on details and routines, some neurodiverse individuals have been recognized and valued for their organizing abilities (Wong et al, 2018). Others have been acknowledged for integrity and trustworthiness (de Schipper et al, 2016), as a result of their concern for what is fair and just and their focus on rule adherence.…”

Section: A Model Of Neurodiverse Leadershipmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Reconceptualizing Leadership From a Neurodiverse Perspective

Roberson

Quigley

Vickers

et al. 2021

Group & Organization Management

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While scholarship has increased on the topic of neurodiversity in organizations, which refers to individuals with pervasive developmental disorders in the workforce, leadership theory and research has not yet integrated this perspective. Consistent with conventional conceptualizations of disability as an impairment, the few relevant leadership studies tend to approach these differences as special cases, rather than as a population to which theory may be generalized. As a result, management scholars have yet to develop theories and models that are inclusive of neurodiversity. Using the critical disability theory as a lens for reframing assumptions about leadership behavior as described in existing theory and research, we postulate that neurodiversity may serve as a cognitive strength from which leadership derives. We offer a conceptual model that articulates how cognitive characteristics associated with neurodiversity may lead to task-based leadership behavior, and we trace the influence of such behaviors on leader and follower outcomes. The model also includes enabling conditions that may positively influence the emergence and recognition of neurodiverse individuals as leaders. We conclude by proposing directions for future research to better integrate the neurodiversity and leadership literatures and reflecting on the associated practical implications.

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Section: A Model Of Neurodiverse Leadershipsupporting

confidence: 78%

Section: Neurodiversity As a Leadership Capabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: A Model Of Neurodiverse Leadershipmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: A Model Of Neurodiverse Leadershipmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Reconceptualizing Leadership From a Neurodiverse Perspective

Roberson

Quigley

Vickers

et al. 2021

Group & Organization Management

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…For example, an important consideration in whether people's psychological characteristics change is if they want to change (Hudson et al, 2021;Hudson & Roberts, 2014). It is entirely possible that, in identifying as someone either with ASD or BAP traits, people may come to recognize the strengths of these characteristics and identity and ultimately resist contexts that might modify these traits (Caspi et al, 2005;Large & Serrano, 2018;Niemiec et al, 2017;Wong et al, 2018). Among those who do want to change, there have been positive examples of interventions that have proven effective at changing broader personality traits among younger adults.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Age differences in broader autism phenotype traits from young adulthood to older adulthood

Chopik

Nuttall

et al. 2021

Autism Research

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Much of past research has been dedicated to refining the operationalization and correlates of the broader autism phenotype (BAP) and less on how the BAP differs by socio-demographic characteristics, like age-particularly after midlife. This gap is important because other nonclinical trait-like characteristics (e.g., personality) have shown considerable age differences, leading to work assessing the malleability of psychological characteristics and improving outcomes for individuals and their significant others. In the current study, we examined cross-sectional age differences in the BAP in a large sample of adults ranging in age from 18 to 85. We recruited a sample of 2966 adults ranging in age from 18 to 85 (M age = 36.53, SD = 12.61; 58.9% Female; 1.1% with an ASD diagnosis) recruited from an online survey service. We found that total BAP scores were higher in younger adults and lower among older adults. These differences were particularly true for pragmatic language difficulties, with this component of the BAP showing the most dramatic age differences. Aloofness showed similar negative associations with age, albeit much smaller. Rigidity was not significantly associated with age. The results are consistent with other research showing an abatement of symptoms among individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) across early life and theories predicting changes in other psychological characteristics (e.g., personality). The results are discussed in the context of the malleability of ASD and BAP traits across life, the clinical implications of these changes, and the origins and consequences for lifespan differences in BAP.Lay Summary: Little is known about how subclinical autistic-like traits among middle-aged and older adults compare to younger adults. We found that these subclinical traits were highest in young adults and lowest in older adults. Knowing how these traits differ by age can provide researchers and clinicians with a sense of how much these traits might change across life, if the traits might be sensitive to interventions, and when in development it might be best to intervene.

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Disclosing an autism diagnosis: A social identity approach

Togher,

Jay

2023

Autism Research

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Autistic people face a difficult dilemma around whether or not to disclose their diagnosis because autism is a stigmatized social group. The central aim of this study was to examine if a social identity approach could be useful in understanding the factors that predict the likelihood of autistic adults disclosing their autism diagnosis in social settings, in the workplace, in educational settings and in the family. The social identity approach predicts that autistic people may cope with this dilemma by using an individualistic strategy to distance from their autistic social identity. Alternatively, they may embrace their autistic social identity and use a collective strategy to resist stigma and advocate for autism. We present a survey based cross‐sectional study (n = 175) with autistic adults living in Ireland. Participants completed a series of measures; autism social identification, stigma consciousness, and individualistic and collective strategy use to assess disclosing in the four settings. The overall models in each of the four regressions were significant. Autism social identification positively predicted disclosure in social, workplace and educational settings, while stigma consciousness negatively predicted disclosure in the family and in the workplace. Interestingly, over and above these predictors individualistic strategy use negatively predicted disclosure in each of the four settings, while collective strategy positively predicted disclosure in social, educational and family settings. Our novel social identity approach was useful for explaining autistic adult's strategies to cope with the complex disclosure dilemma. Strengths, limitations, and directions for future research are discussed.

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Positive Autism: Investigation of Workplace Characteristics Leading to a Strengths-Based Approach to Employment of People with Autism

Cited by 20 publications

References 19 publications

Reconceptualizing Leadership From a Neurodiverse Perspective

Reconceptualizing Leadership From a Neurodiverse Perspective

Age differences in broader autism phenotype traits from young adulthood to older adulthood

Disclosing an autism diagnosis: A social identity approach

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