What Are Some Examples For Companies That Hire Autistic Employees
Microsoft, SAP, IBM, Dell and E& Y are known for hiring autistic people. Aspiritech, Ultranauts and Daivergent are also dedicated to hiring autistic adults.
In addition to those, companies hire autistic freelancers who work from home on Spectroomz for their SEO needs. An example for such companies Peer5, Numero, Rabbet – all VC-backed startups that hired autistic freelancers on Spectroomz.
Choosing The Right Job For People With Autism Or Asperger’s Syndrome
Temple Grandin, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Colorado State University Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
Jobs need to be chosen that make use of the strengths of people with autism or Asperger’s syndrome. Both high and low functioning people have very poor short-term working memory, but they often have a better long-term memory than most normal people. I have great difficulty with tasks that put high demands on short-term working memory. I cannot handle multiple tasks at the same time. Table 1 is a list of BAD jobs that I would have great difficulty doing. Table 2 is a list of easy jobs for a visual thinker like me. I have difficulty doing abstract math such as algebra and most of the jobs on Table 2 do not require complex math. Many of the visual thinking jobs would also be good for people with dyslexia.
Some job tips for people with autism or Asperger’s syndrome:
- Jobs should have a well-defined goal or endpoint.
- Sell your work, not your personality. Make a portfolio of your work.
- The boss must recognize your social limitations.
What Are Some Good Jobs For Autistic People Or Aspergers
Check out the new story version of that question. Also, check out the complete guide to jobs for autistic people.
I have been reading, writing, and discussing this question for the past seven . The focus of this question is wrong. Autistic people, like neurotypicals, have a range of skills and fields of interest. There are no right jobs for adults with autism. Questions like what are autistic people good at? or best careers or jobs for high functioning autism? are less relevant if the focus is on the type of work.
There is, though, the right work environment for autistic people. Once you read what autistics and Aspergers write about their job experience you understand that the focus should indeed be on the right work environment and not about the type of job you do:
I have the best office my couch. I have the best coffee machine my own. I have the best colleagues my ESA cat. from Asperger Life: The Highs and Lows of an Autistic Person in the Workplace
In my experience, the suitability of jobs for Aspergers depends less on the job itself, and more on the environment and the care with which the individual is managed. From Jobs for Aspergers? Its more than just the job.
Rather than a perfect job for autistic people, its more about finding a work environment and culture that dissuades strict social rules and hierarchies. From Silicon Valley Dreams Meet Reality: The Perfect Job for an Aspie
Recommended Reading: Signs Of Autism In 12 Month Old
Best Jobs For Autistic Adults Top 10 In 2022
As an autistic adult, you might have wondered if there are jobs for autistic people in the market. The answer is YES, there are autism-friendly jobs out there, in fact, autism careers that need you.
The secret to finding the best jobs for people with autism is to know your strengths and discover an industry that matches what you have to offer when finding jobs for autistic adults.
One general trait common with Autistic persons is the inability to cope with activities that may require their short-term memory rather autistic individuals excel more in activities that require using long-term memory.
In this Top 10 Jobs for those with autism guide, we have highlighted the top ten best autism jobs and revealed how to get a job with Aspergers.
The guide also explains why each of these best jobs for autistic adults is a good fit as this depends on your level of autism also that is if you fall into the spectrum of being either of these:
- Aspergers or High-functioning autism
- Non-visual thinker
- Nonverbal People with Autism or those with poor verbal skills.
The truth is that there are more jobs for Aspergers sufferers, that is high-functioning autism, those who are visual thinkers and non-visual thinkers. Whereas for those who have severe autism or non-verbal autism, finding a job may be more difficult however, theres something there for you too.
In fact, autism and employment statistics suggest that people with ASD can benefit a business in many ways.
Best Jobs And Careers For Autistic People
Autism is one of many developmental disorders that creates neurodiversity in humans. While the official diagnostic manual, DSM IV, briefly created different types of autistic disorders, all of those types are now only referred to under the umbrella term of autism in the DSM V. Many autistic people live and work on their own without support, and the symptoms of autism can vary widely. People largely think about autism in terms of its negative traits. Autistic people and people without autism have trouble communicating with one another, and autistic people can be rigid, have meltdowns due to overstimulation of sensory input, and experience prolonged burnout. Unfortunately, the focus on negative beliefs and stereotypes that people have about the disorder translates into poorer outcomes.
Also Check: Is Torticollis Linked To Autism
Microsoft Introduces An Interview Academy
The Microsoft Autism Hiring Program launched in April 2015, with a goal of hiring people with autism for full-time positions. The company partnered with PROVAIL and Specialisterne, two firms that assist with job training and support for people with an autism spectrum disorder, and the immediate response to the announcement was overwhelming. Microsoft received thousands of emails, more than 700 resumes and countless phone calls, as well as simple messages of thanks for creating such an initiative.
Nearly a year later, theyve hired 11 new people full-time and have extended the program to the United Kingdom, where theyll be seeking to make 10 new hires. The program has a unique interview process: Instead of a sink-or-swim phone or in-person interview, Microsoft views it as more of an interview academy. Its part interview and part workshop, the latter of which allows potential hires to more fully demonstrate their skills.
Kyle Schwaneke, a software developer with Aspergers syndrome, was one of Microsofts first hires in the program. He had a promising work history as a developer and programmer, but found himself unemployed for over a year when the indie game studio hed been working for closed.
Specialisterne Employees Excel At Their Jobs In Consultants In Software Testing & Data Entry
Specialisterne is a Denmark based company where the majority of their employees are on the autism spectrum. Employees work as business consultants in STEM roles. They provide their unique perspective to fields like software testing, programming and data-entry for the public and private sectors. They have operations in many countries around the world. .
Don’t Miss: Social Pragmatic Communication Disorder Vs Autism
Companies Hiring Adults With Autism
While autism diagnosis is on the rise, an increased number of companies are establishing hiring and recruiting campaigns and building new hiring processes with this large population of workers in mind. Ive located a list of 23 companies from non-profit to small to enterprise level organizations who are actively hiring adults with autism.
Top Autism Jobs: Choosing The Best Careers For People With Autism
The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination of people with disabilities, including those with autism. To be considered for ADA coverage, the disability should be a major one that hinders a person to talk, hear, walk, and breathe normally. Unfortunately, not all employers hire people with autism, and the chances of landing jobs can be a challenge.
To counter this problem, some schools and colleges offer a transition period from school to work, giving autism employment opportunities to their graduates. While this improves the future of children with autism, it is not implemented in every school.
Paul Shattuck, associate professor at Drexel Universitys School of Public Health, says that students who graduate high school face the services cliff, which means they are cut off from the support system that the school has given them during their stay.
He adds that although federal law requires special education schools to develop a transition plan, it doesnt always happen. In fact, only 58 percent of students with autism have a transition plan by the time they reach 14 years old.
Shattuck also adds that people with autism may have challenges in social skills, but it doesnt mean that they dont want to hold jobs. He says that although the core of the disability is an inability to relate easily to other people, the majority of people on the spectrum do have some amount of social appetite.
You May Like: How To Spread Awareness About Autism
Other Considerations When Employing Adults With Autism
Companies participating in these programs will need to go beyond adapting hiring and interview processes. Autism is considered a disability meaning that requests for accommodation by your employee population fall under the Americans with Disabilities Act which impacts employers with greater than 15 employees. Many of the companies are leading the charge in hiring this hidden talent pool. I am in agreement that adding leadership and manager training is also a step in the right direction, however, companies need to consider making additional accommodations they might not have considered:
- Relocating autistic workers to quieter areas of the office. Open office environments can lend to sensory overload which can create challenges for your autistic workers who can become overloaded with all the sensory distractions an environment like this can make.
- Honoring, anticipating and re-evaluating employee requests for accommodation. Take a look at your accommodation program as under the Americans with Disabilities Act. These are often small requests such as noise canceling headphones or wearing hats for light sensitivity inside the office.
- Adding autism to your corporate diversity and respect training programs. Employers spend a great deal of time and effort on diversity training, respect and awareness programs. They need to consider updating their existing programs to include information and resources on autism for their employee and leadership teams.
Small Business Commits To Qualify Of Life Employing Those With Autism
Spectrum Designs is a Long Island company committed to enhancing the quality of life of people with autism, who often face barriers to employment. The company was started in 2010 by Stella Spanakos, whose son Nicholas was diagnosed with autism as a toddler and is now 22. Spectrum Designs already employs 30 people as of 2014. In 2013, the company doubled its service capacity and tripled its sales, nearing over half a million dollars.
You May Like: How Do People Get Autism
Home Depot And Cvs Caremark
Both Home Depot and CVS Caremark partnered with an organization called Ken’s Krew to recruit and train disabled employees. In fact, a co-founder of Home Depot played an important role in getting Ken’s Krew started. The program provides job matching, training, job coaching, community supports, and more.
Ken’s Krew associates are working in over 90 Home Depot stores and 18 CVS stores across the country.
Workplace Support For Autistic Adults
People with a disability or condition lasting more than a year have workplace rights, protected by law, which dictates that employers should make reasonable adjustments to help them.
For autistic people, this could mean additional support while they are at work, flexible time off as required, a more structured working day or reducing some sensory stimuli at work. Autistic traits and symptoms are so varied that the adjustments look different for everyone. Accessible employers may already have plans in place to accommodate autistic adults.
One way to support autistic people could be to allow them to work from home in an environment where they are comfortable, and this is becoming much more common.
Recommended Reading: How To Support A Child With Autism In The Classroom
There Are Times When Your Autism Will Make Your Work More Difficult
It would be unrealistic to say that there will never be times when your autism makes work challenging. When I worked in retail, the sounds and smells and constant chop and change would often be difficult to deal with. In my training contract, I sometimes found it hard to keep my perfectionism in check.
Whether you are out as autistic at work or not, its important to acknowledge these challenges to yourself and, if possible, address them. If your employer knows you are autistic and is supportive, try to talk through possible adjustments that could be made to your environment that would have a positive impact. For example, would it be possible for you to work somewhere quieter or with softer lighting?
Likewise, if you arent out as autistic, try to think of ways that you can help yourself at work. For example, just a simple awareness that you find something challenging can be helpful and can allow you to be more forgiving towards yourself. I accept that I find it hard not to fret over the tiniest details sometimes and that I am probably the only person who gets stressed about these things, as I typically get very positive feedback from clients and colleagues. This might not make it easier to be a perfectionist, but it does at least alleviate the concern that other people are critical of a behaviour which is, probably, invisible to them.
How To Find A Neurodiverse Workplace
From small firms to large corporations, every business can benefit from a workplace culture that embraces neurodiversity. In fact, a growing number of companiesincluding Microsoft, SAP, and Walgreensare reaching out to offer jobs for people with autism due to the differing perspectives and skills neurodiverse people bring to the table.
If you’re looking for a supportive work environment as someone with autism, it’s important to start by recognizing your many strengths. Some of the following skills might seem familiar to you:
- accuracy and attention to detail
- concentration and deep focus
- visual skills and recollection of details
- in-depth knowledge or skills in specific areas
- the ability to recognize patterns
- creativity and out-of-the-box thinking
- honesty and commitment
The best jobs for people with autism spectrum disorder will utilize your in-depth knowledge of your field and appreciate your unique talents. Also look for jobs that have well-defined goals and that methodically track and measure your progress. Companies that place more emphasis on a portfolio of work rather than on traditional concepts about personality during the hiring process might also be a good fit for you.
Recommended Reading: Can Autism Run In The Family
Great Jobs For Autistic People In A Huge Range Of Industries
Jobs for autistic people are far more varied than you might realize. The stereotype of individuals who’ve been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder working alone in highly technical fields like information technology and engineering may hold true in some cases, but it doesn’t begin to cover all the job possibilities for people on the spectrum.
In fact, what makes a job autism-friendly is usually more about the work environment than the career field. Generally speaking, the best jobs for autistic adults tend to be positions that:
- Allow you to focus on one task at a time
- Have clearly defined responsibilities and expectations
- Emphasize quality and accuracy over speed
- Involve some degree of structure and routine
Fortunately, those conditions can be found in a wide range of different fields. People with autism have found success in writing, music, the visual and performing arts, accounting, law, finance, science, human services, and many other sectors.
The information below describes more than 30 potential jobs for adults with autism across a variety of sectors. It also explains some basic facts about autism and explores the issues surrounding the use of terminology like “high-functioning autism” and “Asperger’s syndrome.” In addition, it highlights several strengths that are common among people on the spectrum and provides practical tips for how you can go about getting a job.
Information Security Analyst: $104k
Keeping networks and data systems safe from viruses and hackers requires careful analysis and keen attention to detail, which may be strengths of yours. Information security analysts are responsible for identifying weaknesses that could result in security breaches and developing standards and policies to protect an organization’s data. Security-specific certifications can boost your employment potential.
You May Like: What Are The Symptoms Of High Functioning Autism In Adults
And Our Project Managers
Our experienced project managers lead our consultants in technical and professional matters and support them in their personal development. The focus is always on individual strengths and interests.
The support is always tailored to the consultants requirements at the workplace. The aim is to support the consultants as much as necessary and as desired. It is essential that our colleagues learn to recognize and deal with their needs independently.
Animator / Motion Designer
Another one is for creatives and for people looking for work-from-home jobs for autistic adults.
Animation involves using moving images to tell a story and create a plot. With technological advances, animation is now done with the use of computer-generated imagery. Just like architecture, an animator must love to design and draw images ranging from images of persons, animals, inanimate objects which will be displayed in the movie.
To be an animator, you should have the following characteristics:
- Graphics software skills
Animation should be done by those on the spectrum who are Visual thinkers, there really is no better match. Where visual thinkers become animators, a lot of self-expression is done and much creativity is birthed. Most of the animation movie characters we love and watch on TV are the result of creative visual thinkers.
Non-Visual thinkers should totally steer clear of this area of employment as it is contradictory to their strong points. For those who have high-functioning autism or Aspergers, and those with poor verbal skills, this could be an option so far they are great with designing.
Average Annual Salary expectation as an animator in the U.S.: $56,886
Read Also: Is The Good Doctor Actor Autistic