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Emma Barrow
Sally Griffin
UWRT 1103 090
9 April 2016
The first paragraph provides background information on the examined group. The second
paragraph goes more into detail on the main idea of the research paper and introduces the
question to be investigated. Third paragraph and fourth paragraph detail programs and
businesses that have addressed the issue. The final paragraph was added to compare
employment approaches and to reach a conclusion. The citations page was refined and updated
accordingly.
Employment of ASD Individuals
To live an independent lifestyle in a civilized society, one of the most important things
needed is a source of sustainable income. People most commonly obtain this by using their
abilities for the production of a good or service to sell to others, an activity called employment.
This means even if they dont work for an organized business or have a solitary position, their
job will have at least some social aspects. For people with autism spectrum disorders, this can be
a challenge. The autism spectrum refers to a range of developmental disorders that include
autism, Asperger syndrome, PDD-NOS, and more. These conditions commonly manifest as poor
communication skills, difficulty bonding with peers, routinized behavior, sensory issues, and
sometimes learning disabilities (APA). Such symptoms can create an obstacle in employment for
those affected.

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The functional skills of a person with an autism spectrum disorder largely depend on the
severity of their symptoms. If a person with profound autism is able to work at all, it will likely
be in a part-time menial labor job more likely to serve the purpose of instilling independence
skills than supporting themselves or a family. People with Asperger syndrome or other high
functioning disorders typically are intellectually capable of getting a higher education and
holding important positions in the workforce. However, according to a 2013 study of 21-25 year
olds who received special education services while in high school, the job outlook for autistic
high school graduates is rather grim. Only 53.4% reported having ever worked for pay, 33.6%
were currently employed. Their average salary is $8.10 and 20.9% have worked full-time.
Minorities and low-income groups had a greater disadvantage. In comparison, 88.2% of
respondents with emotional disturbance, averaging $11.90 an hour, and speech impairment,
averaging $12 an hour, have been employed. 62% of those with mental retardation have been
employed at an average of $9.60 an hour (Roux). Less than a fifth have ever lived on their own
(Anderson). Interestingly, autistics who undergo vocational rehabilitation services have a higher
rate of rehabilitation than people with other disabilities (Smith). Naturally, people would want to
try and understand this. A good first step to take in investigating this would be to really try to
learn what employment is like for autistic people and the challenges it brings.
There are a number of approaches that people have taken to employing those with ASD.
Competitive employment is the standard for members of the American workforce. Applicants are
assumed to not need any extra support or intervention on the job. An ASD individual will have to
successfully work around their disability to fit in a competitive environment. Even if they are
hired, their salaries, benefits, and advancement opportunities will usually be lower than their
neurotypical coworkers. Disclosing their disability might allow them accommodations that help

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them succeed, but they may also risk termination. While the Americans with Disabilities Act of
1990 technically forbids discrimination and termination on the grounds of disability (Congress),
it may not be easy to prove this is the case. Sheltered workshops are specifically designed for
disabled workers. While they provide an understanding work environment and opportunities for
socialization, the jobs usually consist of very simple assembly line and packaging tasks done for
minimum wage or less. The skills gained will likely be insufficient for job opportunities in the
mainstream workplace (Wysokci). Supported employment allows autistic individuals to work in
an integrated setting with equal pay and benefits while providing them with support services to
help them find and maintain their occupation. There are different kinds of support. A job coach
may be assigned to search for appropriate employment opportunities and inform their client what
skills they'll need. The coach will also educate employers about their client, continuing their
assistance as long as needed (Mesibov). In an enclave, a job coach trains a group of several
disabled workers before introducing them into the main work setting. The coach will be available
if further support is needed. Enclaves are good for those with great work skills but limited social
skills. There is also the mobile crew approach in which a supervisor and a group of workers
travel between locations to perform contract work such as landscaping, cleaning, or construction.
This option is well-suited for rural areas with few large businesses. Finally, a small business can
provide services such as catering, technology, or printing that emphasize the strengths of autistic
workers. The familiar, close-knit environment would make it easier for employees to help and
understand each other while they regularly interact with members of the public (Reed).
There are several examples of vocational programs that utilize some of these models.
These programs commonly function by matching a persons abilities, skills and interest to an
appropriate worksite while providing support services to ensure a successful transition. An

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example of the job coach model is the Natural Supports Demonstration Project at Virginia
Commonwealth Universitys Rehabilitation Research and Training Center. They look for
employers, co-workers, family, or friends that can provide assistance to an autistic individual in
the community and work environments. The Real Employment Alternatives for Developmentally
Disabled Youth is a program designed to help students on the autism spectrum transfer from
school to work. It teaches job skills, interpersonal skills, and daily living skills to prepare for
competitive or supported employment. The Community Services for Autistic Adults and
Childrens Vocational Supported Employment Program is designed to help people develop skills
useful to employment. They provide on-the-job training in printing, recycling, electronics, and
mail operations sites. As early as the 1960s, the Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related
Communication Handicapped Children and Adults was created based on the traditional
supported employment model. Methods used organization of the physical environment to
optimize productivity and clarify duties and responsibilities with scheduled tasks and lowdistraction work areas. The program has claimed an 89% retention rate as of 1997 (Capo).
Autistic employees may have an advantage in technical fields (Grandin), often being
more detail-oriented, focused, and reliable. They would be well suited to number-crunching,
systematic thinking, software testing, and other analytical tasks; finding comfort in routine that
would leave most others restless. (HA) There are several companies have taken initiative to hire
a more diverse work force. Freddie Mac is a Virginia-based mortgage-finance firm which has
hired college graduates with autism as paid interns through a partnership with the Autistic Self
Advocacy Network since 2011. Head computer corporation Microsoft is launching a small pilot
program to hire people with autism in collaboration with Specialisterne, a Danish firm that
assists with job training for people with autism. The firm is also collaborating with German

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software company SAP to hire autistic employees for technological jobs at locations in multiple
countries including the United States. By 2020, SAP plans to have autistic individuals represent
1% of their worldwide employee base. American pharmacy chain Walgreens, has successfully
employed a high number of disabled people since 2007 at a distribution center in Anderson,
South Carolina. In partnership with the Have Dreams Academy, they have also built a mock store
in Evanston, Illinois to serve as a specialized training facility. One of the most influential
companies in this area, Walgreens has led to the initiation of programs in over 200 other
companies that have sought out developmentally disabled employees including AMC, Target,
Cisco, The Home Depot, and Wegmans. (Erbentraut)
In conclusion, its clear that people on the ASD spectrum are able and willing to do work,
yet many are still unemployed. In competitive employment, employees find the most difficulty
with communication; while in supported employment, the most difficulty comes from formality.
It makes sense that it wouldnt be as hard to communicate in an environment designed to
accommodate those who have trouble communicating. However, it isnt as clear why formality is
more of a general problem in supported employment. It is possible that this is just the result of
formality appearing to be more of an obstacle relative to easier communication. There is no
significant difference in job satisfaction between either employment categories. Once again, the
work outcomes of an autistic person depends on the nature of their disorder. More research
should be done on the psychological aspects of autism in the workforce. What will work for one
person, may not work for another. It will help for everyone involved to focus on strengths and
solutions as opposed to deficits (Lorenz). Education should be used to better increase
understanding of autism and encourage people to let individuals on the autism spectrum have a

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chance to utilize their unique abilities so they can be self-sufficient and make a positive
contribution to society.

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Works Cited

American Psychiatric Association. Autism Spectrim Disorder Fact Sheet. Arlington: American
Psychiatric, 2013. DSM-5. Web. 14 Mar. 2016.
Anderson, Kristy A., Paul T. Shattuck, Benjamin P. Cooper, Anne M. Roux, and Mary Wagner.
"Prevalence and Correlates of Postsecondary Residential Status among Young Adults with an
Autism Spectrum Disorder." Autism 18.5 (2013): 562-70. Web. 14 Dec. 2016.
Capo, L. C. "Autism, Employment, and the Role of Occupational Therapy." Work: A Journal of
Prevention, Assessment, and Rehabilitation 16.3 (2001): 201-07. CINAHL Plus with Full Text.
Web. 28 Mar. 2016.
Erbentraut, Joseph. "How These 4 Major Companies Are Tackling The Autism Unemployment
Rate." Huffington Post. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 7 May 2015. Web. 9 Apr. 2016.
Grandin, Temple, PhD. Colorado State University. Fort Collins: Colorado State U,
1999. Indiana University Bloomington. Indiana Resource Center for Autism, 2016. Web. 14 Mar.
2016.
Hire Autism. Hire Autism. Research Autism. Organization for Autism Research, June 2013. Web.
9 Apr. 2016.
Lorenz, Timo, Cora Frischling, Raphael Cuadros, and Kathrin Heinitz. "Autism and Overcoming
Job Barriers: Comparing Job-Related Barriers and Possible Solutions in and outside of AutismSpecific Employment." Ed. Nouchine Hadjikhani. PLOS ONE 11.1 (2016). Journals.plos.org.
Ambra, 14 Jan. 2016. Web. 28 Mar. 2016.

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Mesibov, Gary B., Lynn W. Adams, and Laura G. Klinger. Autism: Understanding the Disorder.
New York: Plenum, 1997. Print.
Reed, Cheryl A., and Phillip D. Rumrill, Jr. "Supported Employment: Principles and Practices for
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Roux, Anne M. "Postsecondary Employment Experiences among Young Adults with an Autism
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Smith, Frank A., and Jaime Lugas. "Vocational Rehabilitation Employment Outcomes for
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Inclusion, 2010. Web. 21 Mar. 2016.
United States. Cong. Senate Labor and Human Resources. Title I of the Americans with
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Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, 1990. Print.
Wysocki, D. J., and A. T. Nuelicht. Adults with Developmental Disabilities and Work. Adults
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