Autismin the Workplace

Presented By: Tracey Crewe, B.Comm, CHRL

Learning objectivesThe learning objectives for this workshop are:

1. Describe “Autism” and the meaning of a “Spectrum” disorder

2. As a recruiter… understand why you should NOT overlook this group of potential employees

3. Explore accommodations you may be able to provide in your place of employment

Agenda1. Terminology – what is Autism?

2. Benefits of hiring autistic workers

3. Barriers to employment

4. Workplace accommodations that can be provided

5. Summary

Let’s take a moment…I would like you all to take a moment and write down the name of someone you may know, such as a relative or friend, or possibly a child of someone that you know… that has been diagnosed with Autism.

• Of the participants in the room – how many know someone touched by Autism?

What traits of “autism” come to mind when you think of this person?

What is Autism

What is Autism?According to Autism speaks Canada:

“Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), commonly referred to as Autism, is a complex developmental brain disorder caused by a combination of genetic and environmental influences. ASD is characterized, in varying degrees, by communication difficulties, social and behavioral challenges, and repetitive behaviors and is considered to be a lifespan disorder. ”

http://www.autismspeaks.ca/about-autism/what-is-autism/

Autism as a “Spectrum” disorder

When you meet parents of an autistic individual they will often quote a very familiar saying…

“Once you meet one individual with Autism, you have met “one” individual with “Autism”

Prevalence of Autism• According to the

National Epidemiological Database for the Study of Autism in Canada (NEDSAC), ASD is one of the most common developmental disabilities, in Canada, 1 in 94 children is diagnosed with ASD.

• According to the Canadian Medical Association Journal, approximately 1% of the Canadian population is affected by ASD, which means there are approximately 100,000 Ontarians on the autism spectrum.

Common co-existing diagnoses of autistic individuals• Anxiety Disorder • Social Phobia • Generalized Anxiety • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder • AD/HD • Depression

Other co-occurring challenges may include: • Sleep Disorders • Sensory Dysregulation • Emotional Regulation • Eating Difficulties

Myths about autism• Autism is not caused by vaccines

• Autism is not something you grow out of – it is a life long condition

• Autism is not contagious

Sobering statistics• Only approximately 25% of all adults with autism are employed and most

of those are “high functioning" individuals

• Of those employed, only 6% are competitively employed

• Most hold jobs that are generally low level, unskilled and low paying

Benefits of Hiring Autistic Adults

Employable traits of autistic workers• Individuals on the autism spectrum often display many of the

following sought after characteristics:

• Mathematical, technological, musical (or other artistic) abilities• Intense interests and motivations• Excellent concentration and focus skills• Strong visual acuity• Perseverance in problem solving• Understanding and retention of concrete concepts, patterns and rules• Good rote and long term memory of facts, statistics, etc.• Adherence to rules, honesty

Benefits for the employer• Lower turnover rates

• Lower absenteeism rates

• Diverse workforce which can have a strong cultural impact

• Improved public perception and enhanced customer loyalty

Meet Sam

Barriers to Employment

Personal characteristics of autistic individuals• Social awkwardness – Can be interpreted as rudeness

• Abruptly terminating or interrupting conversations

• Inappropriate use of trendy language phrases

• Deficits in social communication • Struggle making spontaneous conversations

• Difficulties in understanding non verbal communications, such as facial expressions and tones of voice

• Failure to understand complex (and often implied) instructions

• Challenging behaviors• Strong sensory reactions – sights, sounds or smells

• Need for routines

• Tantrums

Environmental challenges• Most provinces have made sizeable investments in early childhood

programs, however, programs for adolescents and adults with autism are limited

• Autistic adults are not easily accommodated in mainstream education and training programs

• Employer attitudes

• Workplace rules (overtime, protocols) and accepted social norms

Workplace Accommodations That

Can Be Provided

Start with the hiring process• Remove possible barriers caused by electronic application

processing systems • Use disability friendly application tracking systems• Once a business decision has been made to consider autistic individuals,

look for alternative job posting methods to source candidates

• Interview structure barriers• Behaviour based interview questions rely on past behaviour as a

predictor of future behaviour… ASD adults have limited job experience• Interviews should be experiential based – consider a realistic job

preview

Set the stage in the workplace• Get buy-in from senior management – it is a cultural shift

• Provide sensitivity training to other employees

• Provide a job coach for the employee

• Allow sufficient time for training – ASD individuals may require additional time

Work environmentTo address sensory challenges, consider the following:

• Establish a fragrance free workplace• Allow for individual fans/heaters to create comfortable temperatures• Change lighting from fluorescent lighting• Provide sound absorption panels• Allow employee to use noise-cancelling headsets• Redesign work area to minimize visual and auditory distractions

While on the job• Provide a written checklist of assignments• Use visual charts and large wall calendars to track activities, due

dates and deadlines• Divide large assignments into smaller tasks• Develop a color-code system for filing or projects• Provide advanced notice of meetings, including topics to be

discussed• Provide consistent feedback

Summary• Autism is a disorder that affects as many as 1 in every 250 people in Canada

• The characteristics exhibited by autistic people vary along a spectrum affecting intellectual, social and communicative abilities

• Autistic adults can bring unique and very sought after qualities to the workplace yet currently , it is estimated only 25% are employed

• Recruiting from this potential workforce will require changes in existing processes and workplace structures; the benefits from which are only not starting to be realized

• Most accommodations require little, if any, financial investments

References1. Bissonnette, B. (2009). The Employer's Guide to Asperger's Syndrome.2. Employer's Guide to Hiring and Retaining Employees with Autism Spectrum

Disorders (ASDs). (n.d.). Retrieved December 04, 2016, from https://www.autismspeaks.org/

3. What is Autism. (n.d.). Retrieved December 03, 2016, from https://www.autismspeaks.ca/about-autism/

4. Bailey, E. (n.d.). Workplace Accommodations for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Retrieved December 03, 2016, from http://www.healthcentral.com/autism/c/1443/160154/workplace-accommodations/

5. The Conference Board of Canada. Employers’ Toolkit: Making Ontario Workplaces Accessible to People with Disabilities, 2nd Edition. Ottawa: The Conference Board of Canada, 2015.