The unemployment gap for Autistic Adults is well known, affecting recruitment, retention & health and wellbeing of autistic adults and their families. This is a presentation of a case study of an autistic woman working within public health, sharing her experiences of best practice in workplace wellbeing. (And her preferred visual learning/communication style!)

1. Work, wellbeing &
flourishing
for Autistic people
Catherine Greaves
West Berkshire Council

2. West Berkshire
Wellbeing

3. “In many respects,
wellbeing represents the
ultimate and universal goal
of human existence.”
?

4. “We know that work, and the quality of
the work that we do has an important
impact on our wellbeing.
Being employed is good for our wellbeing.
Being in a ‘good’ job is even better for us.”

6. “We know that work, and the quality of
the work that we do has an important
impact on our wellbeing.
Being employed is good for our wellbeing.
Being in a ‘good’ job is even better for us.”
What does “good” look like for autistic
people?

7. What is good?
How can we enable Autistic
people to flourish at work?

8. Autism is a constellation,
not a spectrum

9. autangel.org.uk

10. Autistic people do share similar ways of
experiencing the world
but we are individuals.
.

11. Ask.
What will help you
flourish at work?

12. Helpful Questions (ACAS, NAS resources)
• How does their neurodiversity affect them? (strengths &
challenges)
• What difficulties have they experienced in the workplace?
• What difficulties are they experiencing currently at work?
• What previous support they have had & whether they think
it would still be helpful now?
• What other types of support and adjustments would help?

13. Visual

14. Anxiety

15. Social Communication
• Unusual eye contact
• Language differences
• Not picking up on ‘unspoken’ rules of the workplace.

16. Boundaries & rules

17. Sensory
overload

18. Masking

19. Bullying in
previous
workplaces.
Line managers
(female).

20. Low mood
Low confidence
Parent/advocate for
2 autistic children
Underachievement
(career and study).

21. #whatwo
#WhatWorks

22. Plenty of
green space

23. Working from home.
Flexible hours.
Part-time working.

24. Commute by
train, outside of
peak hours.

25. In the office.
Desk by a window.
Not hot desking.

26. Working within a
supportive team

27. Line Manager &
Colleagues who
understand
some of my
needs
(disclosed).

28. Resources ACAS, NAS, Linkedin
Unofficial
mentoring.
- unwritten rules
of the workplace.

29. Opportunities for professional development

30. Plan
• Disclosure Document
• Work coach/mentor
• Strategies –
anxiety/social-
communication
• Executive function –
visual supports.

32. Work, wellbeing &
flourishing
for Autistic people
Catherine Greaves
West Berkshire Council