Work-Related Communication Barriers for Individuals with Autism: A Pilot Qualitative Study

Abstract

This study identified situations where communication was a barrier to employment for adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Informant interviewees were six college graduates with ASD who have been employed for one year. Following the qualitative inductive analysis, five communication-related themes emerged: (1) job interviewing success, (2) negotiating co-worker interactions, (3) supervisory interactions, instruction, and feedback, (4) handling customer intercommunication, and (5) communication-oriented coping strategies. Participants were relatively more successful in communication coping strategies and supervisory interaction compared to difficulties with job interviewing and co-worker interactions. Vocational rehabilitation counsellors assisting clients with ASD should prioritize job interview communication skills and social skill education specific to appropriate interactions with co-workers and supervisors utilizing role play, social skill training, and job coaching.

A disability disclosure simulation as an educational tool

“…These findings are similar to other studies showing that employers and HR professionals often lack an understanding about disabilities, especially those that are less visible and not associated with cognitive impairment (e.g. autism spectrum disorder) (McKnight-Lizotte, 2018). Similar to previous research, participants in our study reported noticing differences in those with disability disclosure between visible and non-visible disabilities (Lindsay et al, 2018b;Lyons et al, 2018).…”

Coping Mechanisms Among Youth and Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Competitive Employment

“…The literature reports several positive experiences with employment, however, there are quite a few barriers to maintain, let alone, secure employment. Together, these studies provide important perspectives into the barriers to secure employment, a common barrier being difficulties with social communication for youth and young adults with ASD [2,73]. However, there remain several aspects of employment about which relatively little is known.…”

“…There are a number of factors that contribute to underemployment and/or limited employment opportunities for youth and young adults with ASD [2]. Much of the current literature on employment-related challenges among youth and young adults with ASD focus on communication difficulties as a barrier to successful employment for youth and young adults with ASD [2,73,74]. Communication difficulties can pose a threat to youth and young adults with ASD because these social challenges can lead to poor employment outcomes (e.g., job loss) [73].…”

“…Much of the current literature on employment-related challenges among youth and young adults with ASD focus on communication difficulties as a barrier to successful employment for youth and young adults with ASD [2,73,74]. Communication difficulties can pose a threat to youth and young adults with ASD because these social challenges can lead to poor employment outcomes (e.g., job loss) [73]. Difficulties with communication can pose a threat from the employee perspective as well.…”

“…However, social deficits can limit opportunities for youth and young adults with ASD seeking employment. Addressing social deficits is necessary because social abilities directly affect employment success of adults with ASD [28,73]. Furthermore, it is apparent that social communication difficulties can severely impact the overall employment experience for individuals with ASD because a large proportion of workplaces require adherence to social norms and rules [78].…”