gms | German Medical Science

Background: Many people with autism spectrum disorder (ADS) can experience social disadvantage and exclusion. They often lack the support they need to gain and maintain employment.

Aim: Each person with ADS is unique and needs an individualised approach at job searching and employment. With the aim to collect relevant information on the needed employment support on the open labour market, we carried out the research in 2018.

Method: In order to obtain aspects from all sides, the study included 6 employees with ADS, the same number of employers and 6 professionals/supported employment specialists, who were working with employees in question. First, a systematic literature review was conducted. Next, we developed three semi-structured questionnaires, separate for each target group, and finally, we carried out the interviews. Quantitative analysis was used to collect the data on perceived needs from all three sides.

Results/findings: The findings highlight the importance of knowing and understanding the characteristic of the ADS, and the employment needs emerging from it. Study participants were reporting about the benefits of the expert support, both during the job searching and on the workplace. Employers particularly emphasised the need of the ongoing support and cooperation with the professionals and mentors in the workplace.

Discussion and conclusions: Close cooperation before and during employment is essential. Awareness raising among employers and their knowledge of appropriate methods and techniques to work with employees with ADS as well as providing relevant information on ADS to management and colleagues is the key to sustainable employment. To gain this, more stress should be put on the development of the specific approaches towards employers.