This document discusses autism in the workplace. It begins by defining autism as a spectrum disorder characterized by communication difficulties and behavioral challenges. It notes that only 25% of autistic adults are employed. The document then reviews some employable traits of autistic workers like focus and adherence to rules. It also discusses barriers they face such as social awkwardness. Finally, it recommends accommodations employers can provide such as minimizing distractions and using visual schedules.

1. Autism
in the Workplace
Presented By: Tracey Crewe, B.Comm, CHRL

2. Learning objectives
The learning objectives for this workshop are:
1. Describe “Autism” and the meaning of a “Spectrum” disorder
2. As a recruiter… understand why you should NOT overlook this
group of potential employees
3. Explore accommodations you may be able to provide in your place
of employment

3. Agenda
1. Terminology – what is Autism?
2. Benefits of hiring autistic workers
3. Barriers to employment
4. Workplace accommodations that can be provided
5. Summary

4. Let’s take a moment…
I would like you all to take a moment and write down the name of
someone you may know, such as a relative or friend, or possibly a child of
someone that you know… that has been diagnosed with Autism.
• Of the participants in the room – how many know someone
touched by Autism?
 What traits of “autism” come to mind when you think of this person?

5. What is Autism

6. What is Autism?
According to Autism speaks Canada:
“Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), commonly referred to as Autism, is a
complex developmental brain disorder caused by a combination of genetic
and environmental influences. ASD is characterized, in varying degrees, by
communication difficulties, social and behavioral challenges, and repetitive
behaviors and is considered to be a lifespan disorder. ”
http://www.autismspeaks.ca/about-autism/what-is-autism/

7. Autism as a “Spectrum” disorder
When you meet parents of an autistic individual they will often quote a very familiar saying…
“Once you meet one individual with Autism, you have met “one” individual with “Autism”

8. Prevalence of Autism
• According to the National Epidemiological Database for the Study of
Autism in Canada (NEDSAC), ASD is one of the most common
developmental disabilities, in Canada, 1 in 94 children is diagnosed with
ASD.
• According to the Canadian Medical Association Journal, approximately
1% of the Canadian population is affected by ASD, which means there
are approximately 100,000 Ontarians on the autism spectrum.

9. Common co-existing diagnoses of autistic individuals
• Anxiety Disorder
• Social Phobia
• Generalized Anxiety
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• AD/HD
• Depression
Other co-occurring challenges may include:
• Sleep Disorders
• Sensory Dysregulation
• Emotional Regulation
• Eating Difficulties

10. Myths about autism
• Autism is not caused by vaccines
• Autism is not something you grow out of – it is a life long condition
• Autism is not contagious

11. Sobering statistics
• Only approximately 25% of all adults with autism are employed and most
of those are “high functioning" individuals
• Of those employed, only 6% are competitively employed
• Most hold jobs that are generally low level, unskilled and low paying

12. Benefits of Hiring
Autistic Adults

13. Employable traits of autistic workers
• Individuals on the autism spectrum often display many of the
following sought after characteristics:
• Mathematical, technological, musical (or other artistic) abilities
• Intense interests and motivations
• Excellent concentration and focus skills
• Strong visual acuity
• Perseverance in problem solving
• Understanding and retention of concrete concepts, patterns and rules
• Good rote and long term memory of facts, statistics, etc.
• Adherence to rules, honesty

14. Benefits for the employer
• Lower turnover rates
• Lower absenteeism rates
• Diverse workforce which can have a strong cultural impact
• Improved public perception and enhanced customer loyalty

15. Meet Sam

16. Barriers to Employment

17. Personal characteristics of autistic individuals
• Social awkwardness – Can be interpreted as rudeness
• Abruptly terminating or interrupting conversations
• Inappropriate use of trendy language phrases
• Deficits in social communication
• Struggle making spontaneous conversations
• Difficulties in understanding non verbal communications, such as facial expressions
and tones of voice
• Failure to understand complex (and often implied) instructions
• Challenging behaviors
• Strong sensory reactions – sights, sounds or smells
• Need for routines
• Tantrums

18. Environmental challenges
• Most provinces have made sizeable investments in early childhood
programs, however, programs for adolescents and adults with autism are
limited
• Autistic adults are not easily accommodated in mainstream education and
training programs
• Employer attitudes
• Workplace rules (overtime, protocols) and accepted social norms

19. Workplace Accommodations
That Can Be Provided

20. Start with the hiring process
• Remove possible barriers caused by electronic application
processing systems
• Use disability friendly application tracking systems
• Once a business decision has been made to consider autistic individuals,
look for alternative job posting methods to source candidates
• Interview structure barriers
• Behaviour based interview questions rely on past behaviour as a
predictor of future behaviour… ASD adults have limited job experience
• Interviews should be experiential based – consider a realistic job
preview

21. Set the stage in the workplace
• Get buy-in from senior management – it is a cultural shift
• Provide sensitivity training to other employees
• Provide a job coach for the employee
• Allow sufficient time for training – ASD individuals may require additional
time

22. Work environment
To address sensory challenges, consider the following:
• Establish a fragrance free workplace
• Allow for individual fans/heaters to create comfortable temperatures
• Change lighting from fluorescent lighting
• Provide sound absorption panels
• Allow employee to use noise-cancelling headsets
• Redesign work area to minimize visual and auditory distractions

23. While on the job
• Provide a written checklist of assignments
• Use visual charts and large wall calendars to track activities, due
dates and deadlines
• Divide large assignments into smaller tasks
• Develop a color-code system for filing or projects
• Provide advanced notice of meetings, including topics to be
discussed
• Provide consistent feedback

24. Summary
• Autism is a disorder that affects as many as 1 in every 250 people in Canada
• The characteristics exhibited by autistic people vary along a spectrum
affecting intellectual, social and communicative abilities
• Autistic adults can bring unique and very sought after qualities to the
workplace yet currently , it is estimated only 25% are employed
• Recruiting from this potential workforce will require changes in existing
processes and workplace structures; the benefits from which are only not
starting to be realized
• Most accommodations require little, if any, financial investments

25. References
1. Bissonnette, B. (2009). The Employer's Guide to Asperger's Syndrome.
2. Employer's Guide to Hiring and Retaining Employees with Autism Spectrum
Disorders (ASDs). (n.d.). Retrieved December 04, 2016, from
https://www.autismspeaks.org/
3. What is Autism. (n.d.). Retrieved December 03, 2016, from
https://www.autismspeaks.ca/about-autism/
4. Bailey, E. (n.d.). Workplace Accommodations for Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Retrieved December 03, 2016, from
http://www.healthcentral.com/autism/c/1443/160154/workplace-
accommodations/
5. The Conference Board of Canada. Employers’ Toolkit: Making Ontario
Workplaces Accessible to People with Disabilities, 2nd Edition. Ottawa: The
Conference Board of Canada, 2015.