1. Neurodiverse Talent: Autism Spectrum in the Workplace
Inclusive Workforce Presentation
June 19, 2018
Dr. David Worling, R. Psych.

2. Overview Terminology Myths/assumptions Incidence rates Autism defined
Autism Spectrum in the Workplace
Overview
Terminology
Myths/assumptions
Incidence rates
Autism defined
ASD and Employment
Recruitment
Engagement
Retention
Accommodations and strategies for success
June 19, 2018

3. Autism Spectrum in the Workplace
Terminology
June 19, 2018

4. Terminology Autism Spectrum Disorder Asperger’s Syndrome
Autism Spectrum in the Workplace
Terminology
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Asperger’s Syndrome
High vs. Low Functioning
Neurotypicals
Neurodiversity
June 19, 2018

5. Autism Spectrum in the Workplace
Myths and Assumptions
June 19, 2018

6. Autism is… A neurodevelopmental condition
Autism Spectrum in the Workplace
Autism is…
A neurodevelopmental condition
A clinical condition first described in 1911
Falls across a highly varied continuum/spectrum
A lifelong condition
June 19, 2018

7. Autism is not… Caused by Vaccines Contagious A fad diagnosis
Autism Spectrum in the Workplace
Autism is not…
Caused by Vaccines
Contagious
A fad diagnosis
Defined by a ‘savant’ talent
Restricted to childhood
June 19, 2018

8. Autism Spectrum in the Workplace
Incidence Rates
June 19, 2018

9. Incidence Rates Autism Spectrum in the Workplace
June 19, 2018

10. Autism Spectrum in the Workplace
June 19, 2018

11. Autism Spectrum Defined
Autism Spectrum in the Workplace
Autism Spectrum Defined
June 19, 2018

12. DSM-5 (2013) Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Autism Spectrum in the Workplace
DSM-5 (2013)
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction
Restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests, or activities
Symptoms must be present in the early developmental period (but may not become fully manifest until social demands exceed limited capacities, or may be masked by learned strategies in later life)
Symptoms cause clinically significant impairment
June 19, 2018

13. Level 1:Requiring Support
Autism Spectrum in the Workplace
Level 1:Requiring Support
“A person who is able to speak in full sentences and engages in communication but whose to-and-fro conversation with others fails, and whose attempts to make friends are odd and typically unsuccessful” (DSM-5, p. 52)
June 19, 2018

14. Level 2: Requiring Substantial Support
Autism Spectrum in the Workplace
Level 2: Requiring Substantial Support
“A person who speaks simple sentences, whose interaction is limited to narrow special interests, and who has markedly odd nonverbal communication” (DSM-5, p. 52)
June 19, 2018

15. Level 3: Requiring Very Substantial Support
Autism Spectrum in the Workplace
Level 3: Requiring Very Substantial Support
“A person who rarely initiates interaction and, when he or she does, makes unusual approaches to meet needs only and responds to only very direct social approaches.” (DSM-5, p. 52)
June 19, 2018

16. Autism Spectrum in the Workplace
Gender Ratio
June 19, 2018

17. Figure 1. Gender ratio in age at diagnosis sub-groups.
Autism Spectrum in the Workplace
Figure 1. Gender ratio in age at diagnosis sub-groups.
Published in: Marion Rutherford; Karen McKenzie; Tess Johnson; Ciara Catchpole; Anne O’Hare; Iain McClure; Kirsty Forsyth; Deborah McCartney; Aja Murray; Autism  20, DOI: / Copyright © 2016 The National Autistic Society, SAGE Publications
June 19, 2018

18. Autism Spectrum in the Workplace
“In the absence of intellectual impairment autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is diagnosed both less and later in females”
(Hiller et. al., 2014 p. 1381)
(Hiller et. al., 2014 p. 1381)
June 19, 2018

19. Role of IQ? 1997 IQ<70 2017 Autism Spectrum in the Workplace
June 19, 2018

20. Autism Spectrum in the Workplace
ASD and Employment
June 19, 2018

21. Employment Outcomes Unemployed
Autism Spectrum in the Workplace
Employment Outcomes
Unemployed
Underemployed (employed in a job that underutilizes skills)
Malemployed (employed in a job that is ill-suited to skill sets)
June 19, 2018

22. ASD Employment Numbers
Autism Spectrum in the Workplace
ASD Employment Numbers
According to some estimates (e.g., Scott et. al., 2015)
Labour force participation rates:
Neurotypicals = 83%
Individuals with any disability = 54%
ASD = 34%
Holwerda et. al. (2012) found only 25% of individuals with ASD were employed
Roux, et. al., (2013) followed 620 individuals who had received Special Education services for 10 years after graduation and found that when compared to the ASD sample were more likely to have employment by a factor of:
Intellectual Disability = 4 x
Emotional Disturbance = 7 x
Learning Disabled = 12 x
Speech/Language Impairment = 7 x
June 19, 2018

23. Making a case for autism in the workplace
Autism Spectrum in the Workplace
Making a case for autism in the workplace
June 19, 2018

24. Assumptions ASD Quality of life measurements comparable to NT’s
Autism Spectrum in the Workplace
Assumptions
Dr. David
ASD Quality of life measurements comparable to NT’s
Job satisfaction correlates with life satisfaction
Self-efficacy correlates with work-related outcomes
Individuals with ASD are capable of employment
Individuals with ASD want to work
June 19, 2018

25. Autism Spectrum in the Workplace
Dr. David Worling, R.Psych
Psychology 208: Winter 2018
Employers’ perception of the costs and the benefits of hiring individuals with autism spectrum disorder in open employment in Australia (Scott, et. al., 2017) Table 5: Impact of having an employee with ASD in the workplace.
June 19, 2018

26. Table 7
Extent to which employees met requirements for good workplace performance.
Autism Spectrum in the Workplace
Extent to which employees met requirements for good workplace performance
June 19, 2018

27. Autism Spectrum in the Workplace
Recruitment
June 19, 2018

28. Employment Numbers
Autism Spectrum in the Workplace
If we assume that the CDC estimate numbers are accurate, then we can extrapolate ASD numbers to current workforce numbers.
In Canada, for example, with a workforce of just over 17 million, we could expect over 300,000 adults in Canada to have a diagnosis of ASD.
Worldwide, with close to 3 billion people reported to be employed, we could reasonably expect between 50 – 60 million potential workers would meet diagnostic criteria for an ASD!
However, most of these adults would have grown up in a time when ASD was not easily recognized and rarely diagnosed.
June 19, 2018

29. Table 1. Current employment of individuals with autism.
Autism Spectrum in the Workplace
Table 1. Current employment of individuals with autism.
Lorenz T, Frischling C, Cuadros R, Heinitz K (2016) Autism and Overcoming Job Barriers: Comparing Job-Related Barriers and Possible Solutions in and outside of Autism-Specific Employment. PLoS ONE 11(1): e doi: /journal.pone
June 19, 2018

30. Occupation by ANZSCO major group
Autism Spectrum in the Workplace
Occupation by ANZSCO major group
Occupation major group n %
Clerical and administrative workers 29
22.8
Labourers
Professionals 28
22.0
Technicians and trades workers 16
12.6
Community and personal services workers 12
9.4
Managers 7
5.5
Sales workers 3
2.4
Machinery operators and drivers
Total
127
100
Employment activities and experiences of adults with high-functioning autism and Asperger's disorder
Susanna Baldwin, Debra Costley and Anthony Warren Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 44.10 (Oct. 2014)
June 19, 2018

31. Autism Spectrum in the Workplace
Engagement

32. Positive experiences of employment
Autism Spectrum in the Workplace
Positive experiences of employment
Theme
Sub-themes %
Self-actualisation
-Opportunity to apply and develop knowledge, skills and interests
-Freedom to be independent, autonomous or creative
-Sense of being accepted and valued
-Making a difference in the lives of others or in society 65
Social and collegial factors
-Positive relationships with colleagues
-Enjoyable interactions with clients and customers 45
Job roles and work content
-Enjoyment of particular job roles and work tasks
-Favourable working conditions (e.g. physical Environment, location, hours of work) 36
Pay and benefits
-Earning money
-Benefits and ‘perks’ (e.g. leave allowance, company car, travel opportunities) 28
Employment activities and experiences of adults with high-functioning autism and Asperger's disorder
Susanna Baldwin, Debra Costley and Anthony Warren Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 44.10 (Oct. 2014)
June 19, 2018

33. Autism Spectrum in the Workplace
Retention
June 19, 2018

34. Autism Spectrum in the Workplace
Internal Challenges
Social Difficulties (e.g., rudely terminating or interrupting conversations, inability to communicate needs, lack of spontaneous speech, and inappropriate use of trendy language phrases)
Deficits in social communication (e.g., such as having difficulties in reading between the lines, being unable to understand facial expressions and tones of voice, and asking too many questions)
Failure to understand complex (and often implied) instructions
Hygiene challenges
Job interviews
June 19, 2018

35. Autism Spectrum in the Workplace
Internal Challenges
Executive functioning challenges (e.g., planning, working memory, initiating tasks, managing affect)
Co-existing mental health needs (e.g., anxiety, depression, phobia)
Challenging behaviours (e.g., strong sensory reactions, tantrums, strong need for routine)
June 19, 2018

36. External Challenges Employer attitudes
Autism Spectrum in the Workplace
External Challenges
Employer attitudes
López and Keenan (2014) conducted a survey that demonstrated that “lack of appropriate understanding from employers and coworkers” is one of the biggest barriers to successful employment
Richards (2012) indicated that employers’ reticence and resistance toward workplace adjustments related to employees’ disability, and the reluctance of involving third parties’ support, would eventually lead to the termination of employment for people with Asperger’s
Workplace Rules (e.g., overtime, protocol)
June 19, 2018

37. Behaviour Address ASD Needs No ASD Needs Met? Yes Behaviour Stops?
Autism Spectrum in the Workplace
Behaviour No
Address ASD Needs
ASD Needs Met?
Yes
Behaviour
Stops?
Rule out Mental Health No
Yes
Address Mental Health
Behaviour
Stops?
June 19, 2018

38. Autism Spectrum Advantages
Autism Spectrum in the Workplace
Autism Spectrum Advantages
Honesty
Integrity
Rule-abiding
Stick-to-itiveness
Routine-driven
Thinking outside the box
“Thick-skinned”
June 19, 2018

39. Accommodations and strategies for job success
Autism Spectrum in the Workplace
Accommodations and strategies for job success
Direct, clear feedback
Attention to sensory issues
Executive Functioning (e.g., scripts/lists)
Job Coaching
Occupational fit?
Supporting mental health (e.g., managing stress, anxiety, depression)
June 19, 2018

40. Dr. David Worling DIRECTOR
Autism Spectrum in the Workplace
Dr. David Worling DIRECTOR P: F: E:
West 8th Ave.
Vancouver, B.C. V6H 4A6
Questions?
June 19, 2018