Journal article
Multi-informant International Perspectives on the Facilitators and Barriers to Employment for Autistic Adults
Autism research, v 13(7), pp 1195-1214
Jul 2020
PMID: 32170919
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Employment rates for autistic individuals are poor, even compared to those from other disability groups. Internationally, there remains limited understanding of the factors influencing employment across the stages of preparing for, gaining, and maintaining employment. This is the third in a series of studies conducted as part of an International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) policy brief intended to improve employment outcomes for autistic individuals. A multi-informant international survey with five key stakeholder groups, including autistic individuals, their families, employers, service providers, and researchers, was undertaken in Australia, Sweden, and the United States to understand the facilitators and barriers to employment for autistic adults. A total of 687 individuals participated, including autistic individuals (n = 246), family members (n = 233), employers (n = 35), clinicians/service providers (n = 123), and researchers (n = 50). Perceptions of the facilitators and barriers to employment differed significantly across both key stakeholder groups and countries, however, ensuring a good job match and focusing on strengths were identified by all groups as important for success. Key barriers to employment included stigma, a lack of understanding of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and communication difficulties. Results suggest that a holistic approach to employment for autistic individuals is required, aimed at facilitating communication between key stakeholders, addressing attitudes and understanding of ASD in the workplace, using strength-based approaches and providing early work experience. Autism Res 2020, 13: 1195-1214. © 2020 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY: Autistic individuals experience significant difficulty getting and keeping a job. This article presents a survey study involving autistic individuals, their families, employers, service providers and researchers in Australia, Sweden, and the United States to understand their perspectives on the factors that support or act as barriers to employment. While perspectives varied across key stakeholders, strategies such as using a holistic approach, targeting workplace attitudes and understanding, focusing on strengths, and providing early work experience are important for success.
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Details
- Title
- Multi-informant International Perspectives on the Facilitators and Barriers to Employment for Autistic Adults
- Creators
- Melissa H Black - Speech Pathology AustraliaSoheil Mahdi - Stockholm Health Care ServicesBenjamin Milbourn - Curtin UniversityMelissa Scott - Speech Pathology AustraliaAlan Gerber - Stony Brook UniversityChristopher Esposito - Stony Brook UniversityMarita Falkmer - Speech Pathology AustraliaMatthew D Lerner - Stony Brook UniversityAlycia Halladay - Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyEva Ström - Swedish Public Employment Service, Unit for Rehabilitation and Work, Hallunda-Norsborg, Stockholm, SwedenAxel D'Angelo - Karolinska InstitutetTorbjorn Falkmer - Speech Pathology AustraliaSven Bölte - Speech Pathology AustraliaSonya Girdler - Speech Pathology Australia
- Publication Details
- Autism research, v 13(7), pp 1195-1214
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- A.J. Drexel Autism Institute
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000519468800001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85082617991
- Other Identifier
- 991021861849704721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Behavioral Sciences
- Psychology, Developmental