Employment

National data has shown that many autistic adults are unemployed or underemployed, even when compared to people with other disabilities and in spite of having needed skills and abilities for the workplace. Researchers and policy makers have worked to develop programs that can increase opportunities for employment and improve employment outcomes. This includes job training and recruitment programs, as well as supports for employees and employers to increase retention and success in the workplace. This page provides information related to employment for people with autism and other disabilities.

Websites and Programs

• U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy
  
  • Job Accommodation Network (JAN) The Job Accommodation Network provides free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and employment issues. This resource includes information for employers, individuals seeking employment, and others.
• The Arc
  
  • Arc@Work
    This program helps public and private sectors recruit, hire, train, and retain job seekers with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

More Websites and Programs

Toolkits and Guides

• U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services
  
  • A Transition Guide to Postsecondary Education and Employment for Students and Youth with Disabilities This guide is part of OSERS’s efforts to ensure that all students and youth with disabilities are able to succeed in the workforce. This guide addresses transition planning, transition services and requirements, postsecondary education and employment options, and the importance of supporting decisions made by students and youth with disabilities.

• Autistic Self Advocacy Network
  
  • Real Work For Real Pay: A Self-Advocate’s Guide to Employment Policy
    This plain language toolkit explains the existing policies that help people with disabilities people find and keep good jobs, and solve employment problems.

More Toolkits and Guides

Reports

• National Council on Disability
  
  • Students with Disabilities: Additional Information from Education Could Help States Provide Pre-Employment Transition Services
    October 9, 2018
    Of the 74 state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies that responded to GAO's survey, most reported expanding services to help students with disabilities transition from school to work as required under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), enacted in July 2014. Most state agencies reported serving more students and providing work-based learning experiences and other activities.

• Drexel University
  
  • Vocational Rehabilitation Service Utilization and Employment Outcomes Among Secondary Students on the Autism Spectrum
    May 12, 2020
    Researchers analyzed Rehabilitation Services Administration data to determine the association of vocational rehabilitation services with employment outcomes for students ages 16-21. Students with autism were less likely to receive job-related services less than comparison groups.

More Reports

Research Articles

• Anderson C, Butt C, Sarsony C. Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum and Early Employment-Related Experiences: Aspirations and Obstacles. J Autism Dev Disord. 2020 Apr 30. doi: 10.1007/s10803-020-04513-4. Online ahead of print. PMID: 32356082
• Rast JE, Roux AM, Shattuck PT. Use of Vocational Rehabilitation Supports for Postsecondary Education Among Transition-Age Youth on the Autism Spectrum. J Autism Dev Disord. 2020 Jun;50(6):2164-2173. doi: 10.1007/s10803-019-03972-8. PMID: 30848406

More Research Articles

Videos

• National Autism Coordinator, Office of National Autism Coordination
  
  • Expanding Career Pathways for Youth and Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum: Employment as a Social Determinant of Health
    March 23, 2020
    In this webinar, Scott Michael Robertson Ph.D. provides information about government supports and resources that help youth and young adults with autism access competitive, integrated employment and enhance their careers. Full Transition Aged Youth Webinar Series.

• Organization for Autism Research
  
  • Autism and the Skilled Trades
    October 8, 2020
    This presentation discusses finding gainful employment and fulfilling careers for people in the autism community.

More Videos