Developing an Autism-Specific Workplace Tool for Employers

Background: Adults on the autism spectrum are mostly as motivated to engage in employment as adults in the general working population. Despite many adults on the autism spectrum having high levels of skills limited employment opportunities often result in them being unemployed. The need to support adults on the autism spectrum in employment is internationally recognised. Limited research exists from the perspective of employers and the impact of modifying environmental factors on employment outcomes of individuals on the autism spectrum. This study explores the development of an autism-specific workplace tool, the Integrated Employment Success Tool (IEST), designed to support employers in modifying the work environment for employees on the autism spectrum.

Objectives: Developing the IEST to enhance employers’ abilities and confidence to modify the work environment for employees on the autism spectrum in open employment.

Methods:  Development of the IEST was informed by three studies: 1) Q-methodology study obtaining the viewpoints on successful employment from 40 adults on the autism spectrum in open employment and 35 of their employers; 2) a literature review of current employment programs and interventions in the workplace for adults on the autism spectrum; and 3) piloting a prototype tool with 10 employers.

Results: Development of the IEST was informed by the main findings from the Q methodology study, that successful employment of individuals on the autism spectrum requires workplace support, clearly communicated job expectations and knowledge of productivity requirements. Findings from the literature revealed few studies exploring employers’ perceptions and the impact of environmental modifications on workplace success. Piloting resulted in a standardised tool, which aims to support the employment process across five phases, from recruitment, interviewing, job commencement, workplace modifications and ongoing support. The IEST is a practical guidebook that contains strategies, checklists and resources for each phase of the employment process. The IEST has been designed to assist with identifying employee strengths, recognising potential difficulties that might occur in the workplace, steps to evaluate the environment and strategies to implement to assist with modifying the workplace throughout the employment process.

Conclusions: The piloting of the IEST confirmed employers’ need for a tool to assist with work environment modifications for employees on the autism spectrum. The IEST was perceived as a reliable source of information and to enhance employers’ confidence and communication working with employees on the autism spectrum. The IEST was also reported to result in overall improvements within the organisation, particularly during the interview and recruitment process of employees on the autism spectrum.