Viewpoints on Factors for Successful Employment for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Melissa Scott; Marita Falkmer; Sonya Girdler; Torbjörn Falkmer

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0139281

Viewpoints on Factors for Successful Employment for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

PLoS One. 2015 Oct 13;10(10):e0139281. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0139281. eCollection 2015.

Authors

Melissa Scott¹, Marita Falkmer², Sonya Girdler¹, Torbjörn Falkmer³

Affiliations

¹ School of Occupational Therapy and Social Work, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism Spectrum Disorders (Autism CRC), Long Pocket, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
² School of Occupational Therapy and Social Work, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism Spectrum Disorders (Autism CRC), Long Pocket, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; School of Education and Communication, CHILD programme, Institute of Disability Research, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Jönköping County, Sweden.
³ School of Occupational Therapy and Social Work, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism Spectrum Disorders (Autism CRC), Long Pocket, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Medicine and Health Science (IMH), Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Östergötland County, Sweden.

Abstract

This article explores the key factors for successful employment from the viewpoints of adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and employers. Two groups of individuals participated in this study, 40 adults with ASD and 35 employers. Q method was used to understand and contrast the viewpoints of the two groups. Data were analysed using by-person varimax rotation factor analysis. Results showed that although both groups appear committed to the employment process, the difference in their understanding regarding the type of workplace support required, job expectations and productivity requirements continues to hinder successful employment. These results highlight the need to facilitate communication between employees and employers to ensure a clear understanding of the needs of both groups are met. The use of an ASD-specific workplace tool may assist in facilitating the necessary communication between these two groups.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Autism Spectrum Disorder / epidemiology*
Employment*
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged

Grants and funding

The authors acknowledge the financial support of the Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism Spectrum Disorders (Autism CRC), established and supported under the Australian Government’s Cooperative Research Centres Program. The authors acknowledge the financial support of Curtin University to Melissa Scott through the Australian Postgraduate Award Scholarship. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.