Autism Jersey: Championing a full and inclusive life for people with autism, Aspergers Syndrome and other associated complex developmental disorders, by raising awareness and working in partnership with all agencies to help and support them, their families and carers.

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Tips for Employers

Employers may be aware of autism and Asperger syndrome but not realise that people with these conditions are highly employable.  Despite their skills and qualifications, many are disadvantaged when it comes to getting and keeping a job.  Employers can help remove barriers by gaining an understanding of the disability, leading to a far greater chance of success in the workplace for the individual with autism or Asperger syndrome.

Excellent Employees

Individuals with autism and Asperger syndrome have strengths such as accuracy, a good eye for detail, reliability and thrive in a structured, well organised environment.  Basic or highly complex jobs with a routine of a repetitive nature can be ideal for many with autism or Asperger syndrome.  Given the opportunity, individuals with this condition make excellent employees.

Reasonable Adaptations 

Recruitment procedures often inadvertently create barriers for people with autism and Asperger syndrome.  For example, interviews rely heavily on social and communication skills.  Please be prepared to make some "reasonable adjustments" during the selection and recruitment stage of employment.  This can mean offering a work trial instead of an interview or offering an adapted interview where "closed" questions based on past experiences are asked rather than "open", generalised or hypothetical questions.

Structure

If necessary, provide a structured work environment and conditions, for example, by organising tasks into a "timetable" for daily/weekly/monthly tasks.  Give precise information about start and finish times and, where possible, encourage the individual to "get into a routine" so that they have breaks and lunch at a similar time each day.  This will give the employee a degree of predictability to their working day, which is desirable for many people with autism and Asperger syndrome.

Clarity

Make all job expectations clear - including the individual's role and tasks as well as the etiquette and "unwritten rules" of the workplace.  Provide clear instructions about exactly how to do tasks from start to finish: written instructions will be more suitable for some individuals than verbal instructions.  Initial clarification of the job and new tasks sets the foundations for good working practices.

Interpreting other people

Many individuals with autism or Asperger syndrome find other people's non-verbal communication difficult to understand.  Facial expressions, hand movements and gestures may cause confusion, or be misinterpreted, or even missed altogether.  This may lead the person to respond in an apparently inappropriate or unfeeling way but this is not deliberate.  You may wish to inform the employee of a more appropriate response to a given situation.

Sense of humour

Take into account that some individuals will interpret language very literally, and this may mean that some jokes, banter and sarcasm are not clearly understood.  However, this does not mean that those with autism or Asperger syndrome haven't got a sense of humour!

Small talk

Individuals with autism and Asperger syndrome often have to work harder than others at the "social" aspects of their job,  For example, knowing how to start conversations and making "small talk" may be challenging.  For some, advice about choosing appropriate topics of conversation may be helpful.

Specific and timely feedback

Deal with any concerns as soon as they occur by providing clear feedback to the individual in a sensitive but honest way.  It is important to give advice about how things could be done differently or more appropriately in the future rather than just highlighting any problems or errors.

One to one sessions

Meeting regularly with your employee who has autism or Asperger syndrome to discuss and review performance is important.  Brief one to one sessions give the opportunity to offer positive feedback as well as to highlight any areas for development.

Individuality

Please remember that everyone with autism or Asperger syndrome is an individual, with different personalities, abilities, strengths and needs.  If one approach to an issue does not seem to work, it is helpful to try another.