Employment Obstacles Faced by Adults with Autism

Individuals with high-functioning autism (HFA) and Asperger’s syndrome are chronically under- and un-employed. These individuals are often fully capable of performing the duties outlined in the job description, but face other obstacles they cannot overcome alone. Vocational support services specifically geared towards individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are rare, but those that are in effect have reported success. Supported employment results in not only higher rates of employment, but in securing higher quality jobs that are more appropriate to the individual’s intelligence and level of education.

This article will first detail the job search and retention obstacles faced by individuals with ASDs, and then refer to some specific supports that can aid in promoting success.

Obstacles

Some employment obstacles individuals with ASDs faced include:

• Problems with the job search
• Difficulties in the workplace
• Lack of social understanding
• Failure to respect coworkers’ personal space
• Talking too much or too little
• Over-reliance on supervisors
• Poor time management
• Anxiety
• Slowness
• Rigidity
• Inappropriate dress or personal habits

Müller, Schuler, Burton, and Yates (2003) conducted a study in which they interviewed 18 adults with Asperger’s syndrome about their on-the-job experiences. Analysis of the interview transcripts revealed several major themes concerning why these individuals have difficulty becoming successfully employed.

Mastering the job application process

The first common theme was that individuals with ASD have tremendous difficulty with the daunting task of applying for a job. There are several aspects of mastering the job application process that individuals with Asperger’s had difficulty with:

• Creating a resume
• Filling out job applications
• Contacting potential employers by phone
• Interviewing
• Coordinating the job search process

In her autobiography, Temple Grandin, PhD, an animal scientist with autism, wrote about having autism and getting a job. “Often during interviews, people are turned off by our direct manner, odd speech patterns, and funny mannerisms…. I’ve had to get everywhere I’ve gotten through the back door.” She goes on to give a real-life example:

Once, at an American Society for Agricultural Engineers meeting, I was able to tell that I made a poor impression on two engineers, because they ignored me and refused to discuss engineering with me. They thought I was strange until I yanked out the drawing I had done of the dip vat at John Wayne’s Red River feedlot. They said, “You drew that?

Adapting to new job routines

Individuals with Asperger’s reported difficulties adapting to new job routines, including:

• More than typical effort required to learn new tasks
• Criticism from supervisors for taking too long to learn new tasks
• Being fired for taking too long to learn new tasks

New experiences are both emotionally and cognitively taxing for individuals with Asperger’s. While they are fully capable of learning new tasks, mastering new tasks may take them longer than a neuro-typical employee.

Communication

Specific communication difficulties experienced by individuals with Asperger’s on the job include:

• Difficulty processing incoming information
• Failure to understand instructions
• Difficulty “reading between the lines”

Supervisors may attribute incomplete or badly done tasks to a poor work ethic, while the real reason is failure to understand the directions.

• Being fired because of workplace miscommunication
• Being reprimanded for asking too many questions

Individuals with ASDs are often caught in a catch-22: if they don’t understand the directions, their choices are to incorrectly or partially complete work, or annoy supervisors by asking “too many” questions.

Navigating social interactions with employers and coworkers

Not surprisingly, individuals with Asperger’s also expressed difficulty navigating social interactions. Specifically, they had difficulty with:

• Small talk
• Reading facial expressions and tone of voice
• Feeling “odd” or “different” from coworkers
• Feeling isolated or alienated
• Being fired for failing to understand the social requirements of the job

Participants in Müller et al.’s (2003) study fully recognized that even though they were capable of completing the work, their lack of social skills kept them from being successful. They “failed coffee break.”

Supports

In the same study that asked individuals with Asperger’s about major obstacles to successful employment, individuals were asked what supports could help them achieve success. Significant responses included:

• Job matching
• Individualized autism spectrum support
• Autism awareness training
• Communication
• Attitudinal supports

(These supports are discussed more fully in another article, available here.) These strategies can alleviate the deficits and can help individuals with ASDs to achieve gainful and fulfilling employment.