Growing Up Autistic
  • Home
  • Product Recommendations
  • Meet Us
    • Trevor
    • Tracey
    • Patty
    • Lonnie
  • Books
  • Blog
  • 1-Minute Videos
  • About Autism
  • Contact

How to Build an Autism-Friendly Workplace

3/26/2014

1 Comment

 
Picture
By Patty Pacelli

Our son Trevor was diagnosed with a high functioning form of autism in kindergarten. From very early on, we noticed some things about Trevor that were not typical in other children his age.  His ability to focus on tasks was extraordinary.  He was (and still is) very schedule-oriented.  His reliability in doing household chores without being reminded was a thing most parents only dream of.  Now a junior in college, Trevor continues to learn to leverage his strengths to help him build relationships, get good grades, and prepare himself as a functioning member of society.

The autism statistics are staggering.  The Centers for Disease Control estimates that one in 68 children in America is somewhere on the autism spectrum, with autism being five times more likely to exist in boys than girls.  Yet only 53 percent of young adults with autism are gainfully employed.  Those with autism have some amazing gifts, talents and ideas that can materially contribute to a more effective and successful workplace.  Unfortunately, many leaders don’t know how to create an environment where an autistic employee can thrive and drive real bottom-line results.  That’s why I wrote Six-Word Lessons for Autism Friendly Workplaces. 

As leaders, it is imperative that you not only create a work environment that fosters creativity and diversity but you also create an environment that delivers results.  Key to achieving both of these goals is the idea of employers making their workplaces “friendly” to employees with autism so the employee can in turn deliver results.  It’s not about giving them simple jobs because they feel sorry for them or to meet some diversity goal, it’s about hiring them because they truly meet a need in their business and possess the skills needed to excel in their job. We’ve seen first-hand how an autism-friendly workplace contributes to a more effective and balanced workplace.   It’s incumbent on today’s leaders to create an environment where employers and autistic employees not just survive, but thrive. 

Six-Word Lessons for Autism Friendly Workplaces discusses specific qualities that autistic individuals bring to workplaces, and how businesses benefit from these qualities. The book’s 100 lessons cover a wide range of topics including interview practices for the employer, being aware of unique autistic traits, accommodations and social expectations for workers with autism.  Following is a sampling of some of the lessons included:

Lesson 69. They work when nobody is watching.
When Trevor worked in maintenance, his coworkers commented that they always saw him doing heavy landscape work outside in the heat. Trevor didn’t know anyone saw him, but he nevertheless worked hard when alone, never slacking or resting. It was that focus and commitment to do whatever he was asked that made him a model employee.

Lesson 75. Autistic individuals can bring enormous creativity.
Autistic people’s minds are wired differently, and their imaginations can be extreme.  Managers should take advantage of this when looking for creative ideas or new ways to solve problems. If they give autistic team members opportunities to share their ideas, those ideas can lead to brilliant new concepts.

Not only should employers be aware of autistic employees’ strengths, they should also learn about some of their challenges, and what to expect and how to accommodate them for better productivity.

Lesson 37. Let the applicant demonstrate his skills.
Offering a practice activity at the interview, such as proofing a sample document for an editing position, may be the best way for someone with autism to demonstrate his abilities, and can help employers make a more accurate hiring decision. It can be hard for autistic people to “sell themselves” and put their skills and attributes into words, even if they are excellent candidates.

Lesson 43. Accommodations help employer and employee succeed.
In the ideal scenario, giving autistic employees accommodations would help the company run more effectively while enabling autistic employees to be productive, leading to better products and services and more profit. All parties should work together to allow autistic employees to be productive without sacrificing the work environment for others.

Lesson 44. Options for accommodations make a difference.
Specifically, give all onboarding employees a survey or menu of options, asking their preferences for things like sound, light, physical work space, type of communication desired, methods for performance appraisals and more. This allows autistic employees to simply state their preferences along with everyone else, without feeling different or singled out.
As leaders, creating an environment where high-functioning autistic employees can thrive is more than demonstrating social responsibility and diversity.  It also yields the business results that leaders need to not just survive, but thrive.

For additional information about the author or to purchase the book, visit www.autismfriendlyworkplace.com.

About the Author
Patty Pacelli is an editor, author, entrepreneur, wife and mother of two adult children, one with an autism spectrum disorder. She promotes autism awareness by serving on the board of directors of the Seattle Children’s Autism Guild. She wrote this book to help adults with autism, like her son Trevor, achieve their career dreams and contribute their exceptional talents to the workforce.  Patty is also the author of Six-Word Lessons to Look Your Best.
1 Comment
Lee V link
6/29/2022 03:55:31 am

Great bllog you have here

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    RSS Feed

    Inspiration for Life with Autism

    This blog is written by Trevor Pacelli, a young adult with autism and an author and illustrator. Guest bloggers are welcome. 

    Find all of Trevor's books here

    Categories

    All
    Accommodations
    Addiction
    Adult Life
    All At Once
    Art
    Autism
    Autism And Love
    Autism And Romance
    Barbie
    Blindness
    Bullying
    Christmas
    College Life
    Creativity
    Dental Issues
    Depression
    Disability Friendly
    Early Education
    Early Signs Of Autism
    Employment
    Everything
    Everywhere
    Halloween
    Harry Potter
    High School
    Hobbies
    Holidays
    Home Safety
    Jobs & Careers
    LaLa Land
    Lonnie's Blog Posts
    Misconceptions
    Movie Reviews
    Movies And Disabilities
    Moving Homes
    New Year
    New Year's
    Obsessions
    One Minute Lessons
    Parenting
    Patty's Blog Posts
    Pokemon
    Research
    Safety
    Self Care
    Siblings And Autism
    Sleep Problems
    Stardew Valley
    Storytelling
    Teasing
    Teen Life
    Tracey's Blog Posts
    Trevor's Blog Posts
    Vacation
    Video Gaming

    Archives

    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    October 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    December 2020
    September 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    October 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    October 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • Product Recommendations
  • Meet Us
    • Trevor
    • Tracey
    • Patty
    • Lonnie
  • Books
  • Blog
  • 1-Minute Videos
  • About Autism
  • Contact