Best Jobs For Autistic People

What Is A Vocational Rehabilitation Agency And How Can It Help Me

Each state has a Vocational Rehabilitation agency that provides employment service supports to people with disabilities . VR is paid for by the federal and state government, and you might be eligible if you apply. It is available in every state to help people with disabilities prepare for and obtain jobs. In big cities there may be several VR offices, whereas in rural areas there may only be one office that serves many counties.

Basic Facts About Autism

Autism, officially known as autism spectrum disorder , is a developmental condition characterized by restricted or repetitive behaviors as well as difficulties with communication and social interaction. Autistic people have widely varying degrees of social, verbal, behavioral, and sensory challenges. The combination and severity of symptoms can differ significantly from person to person, which is why it’s known as a spectrum disorder. Some people with ASD are completely non-verbal and require constant care, while others experience relatively mild challenges and can function well independently.

High-functioning autism is a commonly used but not medically recognized term. “High-functioning” usually refers to a person on the spectrum who has good verbal abilities and can carry out basic activities of daily living without much support.

Asperger’s syndrome used to be recognized as a separate disorder that shared many of the same characteristics as autism, but in a less severe form. One of the main distinctions of Asperger’s vs. autism was the absence of a significant speech delay in childhood. People with Asperger’s generally begin to speak on a typical or even early timeline, but they tend to have unusual speech patterns and take language very literally. Like all people with autism, they also have difficulty interpreting body language and picking up on non-verbal social cues.

Autism Employment Connector Challenge Winners Selected

Autism Speaks announced on June 13, 2022, the winners of the ‘Autism Employment Connector Challenge,’ launched in partnership with HeroX, the leading platform and open marketplace for crowdsourced solutions.

The Autism Speaks-sponsored Challenge invited innovators including jobseekers, employers, students, recruiters and members of the community, to identify solutions that support autistic job seekers navigating the employment search and application process while effectively communicating skills and abilities to prospective employers. After careful review by a team of experts consisting of autistic people, family members of people with autism, service providers, HR professionals and corporations that prioritize inclusive hiring, the three submissions that have been selected as winners include:

Congratulations to all of the applicants and winners! Read more about the Challenge here!

Welcome to Workplace Inclusion Now . This program was designed by an autistic-led team to help you research, find and keep employment in a competitive labor market. Stories, tips and resources were developed from a collaboration of experts, led by autistic adults, based on multidisciplinary research into what makes a workforce thrive and how employees and employers can be set up for success.

Other free resources available to job seekers include:

You May Like: How To Keep An Autistic Child Focused In The Classroom

Encouraging Tech Companies To Hire Autistic People

According to the study Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Participation Among … College Students with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, there is evidence to support that individuals with autism are an untapped source of STEM talent. It states, “young adults with an ASD had a higher proportion of majoring in STEM-related fields than any other disability groups.”

getty

There has been a greater effort to hire more diverse employees in recent years. These initiatives should include neurodivergent and autistic individuals. Not just because hiring those on the spectrum demonstrates your genuine commitment to diversity, but it can be beneficial to your company on the whole.

âIndividuals with autism tend to have strong attention-to-detail skills and can be quick learners, which would benefit a wide array of companies and industries,â said Sreedhar. âAs for the technology or IT industries, there are many jobs in these industries which would suit them because of their repetitive or detail-oriented nature.â

They Can Concentrate A Long Time On A Repetitive Task And Spot Mistakes Better

“We find them good for software testing and quality assurance they can concentrate a long time on a repetitive task and spot mistakes better,” said Anka Wittenberg, SAP’s head of diversity. “One person got so into a task for so long that he didn’t realise he should take a break.” SAP has since put a big watch by his computer monitor so he doesn’t overwork.

For SAP to reach its 1% goal, it must look beyond its usual recruiting goals of hiring people with excellent communication and teamwork skills. “Most people with autism aren’t strong in those areas and would have fallen out of our normal recruiting process,” Wittenberg said. “We had to be open to that reality and make them part of our broader diversity strategy. The more diverse we are, the more innovative we are.

A boost in confidence

For many autistic people, the greatest benefit of a job isn’t the specific work experience, but rather the self-confidence they gain.

Through the years, Thomas Kingston, a business law student, has endured offensive comments from people who said they thought he would be weird like the character in the movie Rain Man, and were surprised to find him to be really nice. But last summer, he got a “massive boost in self-confidence” and developed skills in administration and team work, during a brief stint with the UK Department for Work and Pensions.

To comment on this story or anything else you have seen on BBC Capital, head over to our page or message us on .

You May Like: What Is Social Interaction In Autism

Autistic People And Technology Jobs

“I’ve noticed many people with autism who work in IT, including myself, like to work in the industry … because it doesn’t involve customer service, interaction, and multi-tasking,” said Asha Sreedhar, autism advocate and quality associate at SAP Labs India. “However, there are many fields that individuals with autism are also drawn to, like finance, education, engineering, music, art, etc.”

getty

“Some research has been linked to enhanced productivity for humans working with robots versus those that do not,” Mucibabici said. “Other studies show that neurodiverse people can be upwards of 30% more productive in software-related roles. These findings combined suggest that equipping autistic people with technologies/software reliant on rule-based and process-based systems would allow these individuals to excel even further in the workplace through better efficiency and improved outputs.”

Furthermore, according to the study Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Participation Among College Students with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, there is evidence to support that individuals with autism are an untapped source of STEM talent. It states, “young adults with an ASD had a higher proportion of majoring in STEM-related fields than any other disability groups.” However, the research argues that more action and coordinated support are needed to help students with autism enroll in STEM studies and complete such degrees.

Finding Successful Careers For People With Autism

The key to successful employment for many individuals with autism is in seeking career choices that suit their specialized interests and talents. Many with autism tend to focus intensely on very narrow fields of interest. In many instances, these interests can be developed into a very successful careers. While skills can be uneven in many people with autism, those related to their individual interests tend to be very strong, often well above average.

Recommended Reading: How To Get Rid Of Autism

Aviation Maintenance Inspector: $67k

Making sure that airplanes are airworthy is critically important work that requires great focus and precision. Aviation inspectors check that all aircraft instruments, components, and systems are functioning properly and that all repairs are carried out in accordance with established standards. You’ll need to be certified by the Federal Aviation Administration .

Best Jobs For Autistic Adults

When parents learn that their child has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, they can begin to worry about their childs future. Depending on the severity of their childs ASD, they may wonder if their child will be able to provide for themselves and what their child will do upon reaching adulthood. However, there are many jobs for people with autism. In fact, the Autism Parenting Magazine lists several ways that those with autism make better employees than their neurotypical counterparts. These include a better quality of work, an obsessive approach when it is needed, great accuracy, fast turnaround times, good work ethic, and, of particular note, a unique perspective.

We have compiled a list of the best jobs for autistic adults. There were quite a few lists available, but we narrowed it down to a few of the most helpful websites. They are listed here in case they may be useful in a search for autistic careers.

Elemy.com is a website that helps connect parents of autistic children with applied behavior analysts. This article lists good jobs for people with autism for visual and non-visual thinkers, besides describing levels of severity of autism. It also lists companies that hire autistic individuals, and resources for the job search and interview process.

Don’t Miss: Can Autism Worsen Over Time

Job Classifications For Different Types Of Autism

According to the authors of A Parents Guide to Asperger Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism: How to Meet the Challenges and Help Your Child Thrive, a child with autism can choose from three types of employment:

• Competitive employmentthe employee should be independent, and no support is offered
• Supported employmentthe employee is part of a support system, and jobs are usually created for him/her
• Secure or sheltered employmentthe employee is given a job at a facility

The kind of employment would depend on the persons abilities. For example, a high functioning adult can be independent, so he/she can be in competitive employment. On the other hand, if your child needs care most of the time, then a supported or sheltered employment might be more suitable.

The World Health Organization Said Studies Indicate That About One In 160 Children Has An Autism Spectrum Disorder

“We have learned that the autism spectrum is very wide and you need to view each person as an individual,” said Chris Cristiano, regional supply chain manager, North Atlantic, for Safelite AutoGlass. “One of the people we hired is very personable and not shy, while the other is more introverted and takes longer to warm up to people.” Working in conjunction with MassGeneral Hospital for Children’s Aspire program, Safelite has hired four interns with autism, and two of them went on to accept permanent positions.

One is Michael Alejunas, who is getting his first real work experience at Safelite, helping with productivity management and inventory control. When he finished his associate’s degree in computer programming, “I felt lost in life,” he said. “But this job has helped me get back on track.”

He usually shies away from people, but has become more at ease with his four co-workers and can now interact with customers who have appointments at Safelite. “I’m trying to be more talkative and outgoing,” Alejunas said. “But it’s baby steps.”

The right environment

At Towers Watson, candidates are invited to a screening event where the company can get a sense of their strengths, interests and fit for the roles being filled, Weiler explained. “Those who pass the screening receive four weeks of training focused on social skills, teamwork, norms of office behaviour and the job they’ll be doing.”

Fighting discrimination

Prepping for the interview

Don’t Miss: How To Keep A Child With Autism Engaged

Technology And Software Development

This field has a few great advantages for autistic adults. Jobs in this field tend to have exactly the type of job environment listed above. There is one main task to focus on and the work is detail-oriented and requires accuracy.

Jobs in software development and IT rely on highly logical people who can focus on the task at hand and are good problem solvers. High-functioning adults with autism often excel at this type of thinking.

Jobs in this field pay quite well, and so this should be a serious consideration for any interested adult with autism, particularly those on the high functioning side of the spectrum.

Start Your Job Search

We are in the business of finding work for people with disabilities, including Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Hopefully, this list has given you a starting point. Take a look at our job search portal for the best jobs for autistic adults that you may be interested in!

• disABLEDperson, Inc. is a 5013 non-profit organization whose mission is to reduce the high unemployment rate of individuals with disabilities.
• “We are simply here to serve.”

Also Check: Is Autism A Developmental Disorder

Jobs For People With Autism Or Aspergers Syndrome:

Here is a list of some of the good jobs for people with Aspergers which are differentiated into three sections based on the skills they possess.

1. Jobs for Visual Thinkers2. Jobs for Non-Visual Thinkers: For ones who are good at math, music or facts3. Jobs for Nonverbal People with Autism or People with Poor Verbal Skills

Good Career Choices For People With Autism Spectrum Disorder

There was once a time when individuals with autism were considered unemployable due to their disability, but that is certainly no longer the case. This thought process is harmful, outdated, and even discriminatory. People with autism, other developmental impairments, and mental health issues have a variety of abilities and skills that make them successful employees. What some may view as a symptom of autism and weakness, might actually be a strength for that individual some of these symptoms are viewed as advantages in the workplace and beyond. Many people who have been diagnosed with autism have gone on to enjoy great success in a wide range of careers.

Because each individual with autism has different strengths and limitations, its important that they choose a career that is in alignment with their natural interests and skills. There are a variety of interest inventories that verbal and non-verbal individuals can take to determine areas of curiosity and strength.

With assistance from a parent, counselor, or mentor, people with autism on all levels and of any age are able to determine what type of career may be best suited for them. No matter the disability, there is always great ability as well.

These are just a few interesting career options for those with autism:

Read Also: When Did Autism Become A Diagnosis

Job Options Depend On Abilities And Challenges

One of the hardest realities to face as an autistic self-advocate or the parent of an autistic child is that their abilities are not always enough to getand keepa good job.

For example, a young autistic adult could be a brilliant mathematician, but if they cant generalize their skills to a needed functionsuch as accounting or statisticsthere might not be a job for them.

Other issues that can be serious obstacles to employment for autistic adults include:

Advice For Neurodiverse Individuals Looking To Work In Tech

âThe advice that I have for neurodiverse individuals who would like to pursue a career in this field … would be first to start taking software testing courses either at a college or institute, as they’re less challenging than programming courses, and see how it goes based on interest and ability to learn,â recommends Sreedhar

getty

âThe advice that I have for neurodiverse individuals who would like to pursue a career in this field would be first to start taking software testing courses either at a college or institute, as they’re less challenging than programming courses, and see how it goes based on interest and ability to learn,â recommends Sreedhar. âThen, after completing the software testing courses, I’d encourage you to try to find a role at a small company or organization to gain experience and learn new skills. After that, you can feel more comfortable applying to bigger companies where you can continue refining and building your skill set.â

Ms. Mucibabici suggests looking for a company that recognizes the unique value that neurodiversity brings as well. âThese opportunities will not only allow neurodiverse people to receive training on in-demand skillsets but will also be pivotal for career development as the world continues to evolve technologically,â she said.

Don’t Miss: What Kind Of Autism Does Symmetra Have

Jobs For People With Autism: Careers For Visual Thinkers

In an article from theplaceforchildrenwithautism.com, visual thinking is described as a way of thinking more in images than in words. Those with ASD who think in images tend to see things in their mind in order to understand or process them. The thought process for these individuals may not always be linear, and it can be difficult for others to see the connection between two ideas or images that are obviously connected from the autistic individuals perspective. The following jobs are listed as being good jobs for people with autism that are visual thinkers. We chose the top 10 jobs by finding those with job outlooks that are average or above average, and then ranking them according to the highest salary. All data on salary and job outlook was taken from the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Examples Of Good Jobs For People With Autism

These strengths provide people with autism a valuable set of skills that can be useful in many job roles. They are able to work efficiently and with accuracy, something regarded highly in certain roles, and can offer diverse perspectives on complex problems due to their logical approach to situations.

So, what are good jobs for people with autism?

Web Developer:Data Officer:Policy Adviser:Copywriter:

You May Like: Do We All Have Autism