Research

We fund academic, scientific research to advance what we know about ASD, adults, and work. Here is some of what we are reading. These papers offer a diverse look at what it means to be an adult on the spectrum.

Peer reviewed

Barriers and Facilitators to Employment for Adults with Autism: A Scoping Review

Erin Harmuth et al.

Focusing on customized, long-term supports and accommodations within encouraging, informed workplaces contributes to successful employment for individuals with ASD.

Survey of vocational experiences of adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders, and recommendations on improving their employment

Devon Coleman and James Adams

Underemployment and unemployment are major problems for adults with ASD. The survey identifies barriers and offers recommendations to help adults with ASD find and maintain employment.

Autism and Employment: Implications for Employers and Adults with ASD

Reluctance to hire capable autistic candidates is based on misperceptions. The financial and social benefits of hiring adults with ASD often outweigh the costs.

Alarmingly large unemployment gap despite above-average education in adults with ASD without intellectual disability in Germany

Julia Espeloer et al.

Individuals with ASD face significant challenges accessing and keeping employment despite relatively high educational attainment, pointing to a need for tailored support.

How Do Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder Participate in the Labor Market? A German Multicenter Survey

Tolou Maslahati et al.

Adults with ASD show higher education levels but lower employment rates than the general population, underscoring the need for vocational support policies.

Success Factors Enabling Employment for Adults on the Autism Spectrum from Employers' Perspective

Jessica Dreaver et al.

Insights from employers and service providers across Australia and Sweden highlight the importance of holistic support, including employer understanding of ASD.

Sex differences in employment and supports for adults with autism spectrum disorder

Julie Lounds Taylor et al.

Employment rates were comparable between males and females with ASD, though females more often cited voluntary withdrawal as a reason for unemployment.

Evaluation of employment-support services for adults with autism spectrum disorder

David B. Nicholas et al.

Support staff and individuals with ASD see the quality and impact of employment-support services differently, suggesting a need for more integrated programs.

Education and employment status of adults with autism spectrum disorders in Germany: a cross-sectional survey

Fabian Frank et al.

Significant challenges in labor market participation persist despite high formal qualifications, suggesting a need for employment support programs.

Workplace accommodations for adults with autism spectrum disorder: a scoping review

Ghaidaa Khalifa et al.

Effective tactics include minimizing distractions and noise and providing predictable tasks. Environmental factors and employer support strongly shape work satisfaction.

Employment profiles of autistic adults in Australia

Madeleine Harvey et al.

Adults with ASD showed higher rates of part-time work and underemployment. Workplace adjustments and supportive environments could improve employment prospects.

Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum and Early Employment-Related Experiences: Aspirations and Obstacles

Connie Anderson, Catherine Butt & Clare Sarsony

Young adults with ASD and their parents describe real obstacles to finding and keeping jobs, pointing to the value of pre-employment opportunities and ASD-specific support.

A Conflict of Interests: A Motivational Perspective on Special Interests and Employment Success of Adults with ASD

Yael Goldfarb, Eynat Gal & Ofer Golan

Matching special interests to jobs can oversimplify employment needs when job characteristics, market demands, and stress are overlooked.

Development, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of an employment-related social skills intervention for young adults with high-functioning autism

Connie Sung et al.

An 8-week social skills intervention showed significant improvements in work-related social skills and high participant satisfaction.

Critical Reflections on Employment Among Autistic Adults

David B. Nicholas and Malvina Klag

The field should focus on long-term success and quality of life, building independent community employment support rather than short-term placement alone.

Autistic Employees' Technology-Based Workplace Accommodation Preferences Survey: Preliminary Findings

Michał T. Tomczak and Paweł Ziemianski

Limiting overstimulation, flexible hours, job coaching, remote work, and electronic communication all show potential to improve working conditions and well-being.

Workplace Adjustments for Autistic Employees: What is 'Reasonable'?

Stephanie Petty et al.

Recommended accommodations include autism awareness training, low-stimulus workspaces, clear instructions, and flexible working hours.

Other notable articles

OPEN OFFICE: What happens when people who have trouble fitting into a traditional workplace get one designed just for them?

Susan Dominus, The New York Times

A look at the challenges autistic individuals face in traditional workplaces, and the benefits of environments designed around their needs.

The Range of Career Options for Autistic Individuals

Jennifer Jay Palumbo, Forbes

How companies benefit from hiring autistic individuals, and what is needed to support and integrate them into the workforce.

Neurodiversity as a Competitive Advantage

Robert D. Austin and Gary P. Pisano, Harvard Business Review

Hiring neurodiverse talent gives companies like SAP, HPE, and Microsoft access to extraordinary skills. HR reforms are needed to unlock them.

The Impenetrable Autistic Glass Ceiling: Rethinking Workplace Inclusivity

When managers build environments that respect and embrace uniqueness, every employee can contribute, benefiting both the company and a more equitable society.

Autism Doesn't Hold People Back at Work. Discrimination Does.

Ludmila N. Praslova, Harvard Business Review

Strategies for neurodivergent professionals and their employers, from self-disclosure and job crafting to finding purpose through employee resource groups.

Have a research proposal?

Please reach out with serious academic research proposals concerning ASD and employment.