Autistic Adults and Work:

The Situation in Australia and Overseas

Introduction

Autistic individuals experience alarmingly high rates of unemployment and underemployment relative to non-autistic individuals. Here in Australia, the unemployment rate for Autistic individuals is almost eight times that of the non-disabled population₍₁₎. Furthermore, recent research conducted by Amaze (one of the largest Autism organisations in Australia) suggests that more than half of unemployed Autistic Australians have never secured paid employment₍₂₎. This is despite often possessing the skills, qualifications, and motivation to join the workforce. Of the Autistic Australians that are employed, more than half want increased hours or to be in a more challenging role, and 45% report having skills exceeding what is required for their current position. 

Unfortunately, these issues are not limited to Australia. In the United States, studies estimate a staggering 50% to 75% of the 5.6 million Autistic adults are unemployed or underemployed₍₃₎. Furthermore, government data in the United Kingdom indicates a current unemployment rate of approximately 29% for Autistic individuals₍₄₎. Other countries follow these trends, including Germany₍₄₎, China₍₅₎, South Africa₍₆₎, and undoubtedly countless others. 

These global figures paint a clear picture: Autistic people worldwide are more likely to be unemployed, underemployed, and underpaid. This is often independent of our skills, qualifications, and desire to sustain stable employment. If employment issues are not accounted for by lacking motivation, skills, and/or qualifications of Autistic people, what then does explain the employment gap?

The employment gap is largely due to stigmas surrounding autism and associated discrimination. All disabilities and neurodivergences come with a degree of social stigma, frequently including presumptions of incompetence. Negative stereotypes about autistic traits are one of the biggest barriers that we face in many aspects of our lives, including employment. 

Research findings support this, with evidence that employers show less interest in hiring Autistic employees even if they are capable and qualified for the position₍₇₎. Furthermore, many employers do not provide sufficient accommodations to the Autistic individuals that they do hire_{(7, 8)}. This may lead to Autistic employees being unable to sustain their work role or appropriately progress within a company. 

Despite these grim statistics and findings, there is still a reason to have hope that the employment situation for Autistic people will improve. Awareness and attitudes surrounding autism are changing for the better. Furthermore, global researchers are beginning to explore how to provide Autistic adults with equal access to inclusive employment. 

There has also been a growing recognition of the benefits of neurodiversity in the workforce in recent years₍₉₎. That is, it can be beneficial for companies to prioritise diversity in their teams by hiring a mixture of neurotypical (non-autistic) and neurodivergent (Autistic, ADHD, etc.) people. Neurodiverse teams can show advantages in creativity, productivity, and efficiency, to name just a few benefits.

Creating inclusive workplaces

So, how do we create inclusive, neurodiverse, autism-friendly workplaces? Evidence-based initiatives encourage the following actions for employers to take: 

1. Ensure recruitment processes are inclusive by enabling Autistic people to showcase their talents and role suitability.
2. Foster awareness and education of neurodiversity and Autism amongst staff and management.
3. Create a welcoming and accepting workplace culture that allows employees to safely disclose that they are Autistic.
4. Highlight the strengths of Autistic employees and delegate tasks accordingly. 
5. Know how to identify potential environmental workplace challenges respectfully and collaboratively with Autistic employees.
6. Make reasonable adjustments and accommodations to overcome workplace challenges that Autistic employees are facing.

Importantly, it is critical to include Autistic voices in the formation and implementation of these employment initiatives. With our voices centred, hopefully there will be positive changes to come with a focus on reducing the underemployment and unemployment of Autistic people worldwide. 

Let’s connect

Reach out to us today to find out how we can support your organisation in becoming an Autistic-friendly workplace and workplace of choice for neurodivergent candidates.

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Reference List

1. Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2018). Autism in Australia. Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers. Available at: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/disability/disability-ageing-and-carers-australia-summary-findings/latestrelease#autism-in-australia.
2. Amaze. (2018). Autism and Employment in Australia. Available at: Autism and employment in Australia – Amaze
3. Autism Connections. (2023). Autism Facts and Statistics. Available at: Autism Facts & Statistics – Autism Connections (autismcincy.org)
4. Office for National Statistics United Kingdom. (2021). Outcomes For Disable People in the UK: 2021. Available at: Outcomes for disabled people in the UK – Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)
5. Dandan, N. (2020). For Chinese With Autism, Finding Work Was Hard. Now, It’s Even Harder. Available at: For Chinese With Autism, Finding Work Was Hard. Now, It’s Even Harder. (sixthtone.com)
6. Shaheed & Soeker. (2020). A Descriptive, Qualitative Study of the Challenges that Individuals with Autism Experience When Transitiong from Skills Trianing Programs into the Open Labor Market in Cape Town, South Africa. Available at: A descriptive, qualitative study of the challenges that individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder experience when transitioning from skills training programs into the open labor market in Cape Town, South Africa – IOS Press
7. Cooper & Mutjaba. (2022). Assessment of Workplace Discrimination Against Individuals with Autism. Available at: https://doi.org/10.21272/sec.6(2).19-28.2022
8. Des Roches Rosa, S. (2018). Why is the Autistic Unemployment Rate so High? Available at: Why Is the Autistic Unemployment Rate So High? — THINKING PERSON’S GUIDE TO AUTISM (thinkingautismguide.com)
9. Autism CRC. (2021). Autism CRC Response to the National Disability Employment Strategy Consultation Paper. Available at: Autism CRC response to the National Disability Employment Strategy consultation paper (dss.gov.au)

Article written by our highly talented researcher and writer Amy Adams.