The Lived Experiences and Perspectives of People with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Mainstream Employment in Australia

Abstract

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience significant barriers to employment. This study aimed to look at the support received by individuals with ASD in gaining and maintaining open employment from their perspective. A phenomenological approach was adopted with participants (n = 9) participating in semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis identified four key themes; being supported, feeling successful, career progression and expectations. The findings suggest that individuals with ASD receive support from many different sources in their employment including supervisors, co-workers and parents. The support they received from disability employment consultants was more focused on obtaining a job rather than job maintenance or career progression. Career progression was rarely discussed by participants with their disability employment consultant, despite some evidence of poor job matches and unused qualifications and skills (reflecting a poor investment for individuals and society). Despite this, participants reported feeling successful due to having a job, having pride in their work, and feeling valued by co-workers. The study highlights the need for more research on understanding the longer-term support needs of people with ASD in open employment. Changes in policy to better resource and incentivize disability employment providers could produce more positive outcomes for people with ASD throughout their working lives.

Autistic Adults' Priorities for Future Autism Employment Research: Perspectives from the United Kingdom

“…They also identified aspects of employment that may be particularly challenging for autistic people, including potentially unique barriers related to career progression, such as poor job matching by job coaches and/or employers. 69 , 70 Indeed, research suggests that the underemployment (i.e., holding a job below one's skill level or otherwise capacity) of autistic people is vast, with underemployment rates reportedly between ∼20% and 46%. 40–42 Yet, seemingly minimal attention has been paid to addressing this disparity.…”

Autistic adults’ priorities for future autism employment research: Perspectives from the United Kingdom

“…They also identified aspects of employment that may be particularly challenging for autistic people, including potentially unique barriers related to career progression, such as poor job matching by job coaches and/or employers. 69,70 Indeed, research suggests that the underemployment (i.e., holding a job below one's skill level or otherwise capacity) of autistic people is vast, with underemployment rates reportedly between *20% and 46%. [40][41][42] Yet, seemingly minimal attention has been paid to addressing this disparity.…”

“Retirement Is One Hell of a Change”: Autistic People's Experiences of Retiring

“…41 Indeed, as few as 29% of autistic people are thought to be employed in the United Kingdom and, of those who are employed, many are underemployed. [42][43][44][45] Consequently, autistic people may be less likely to have adequate pension provision and/or savings for a financially comfortable retirement and financial concerns may be particularly salient. 46 Poor outcomes regarding friends and romantic relationships may also mean that autistic people are less likely to enter retirement with adequate social support.…”