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5 Employment Sectors that are Perfect for Individuals With Autism

In 2007, the United Nations established April 2 as the annual World Autism Awareness Day, with a different theme each year.  The 2015 theme is employment for individuals with autism. Unemployment and underemployment are major issues for adults with autism.  The United Nations estimates that over 80% of these adults are unemployed.  A 2013 study at Drexel University found that in the first eight years after high school, only 53.4% of young adults on the autism spectrum had ever worked for pay outside the home, and 20.9% worked full-time at a current or most recent job.  A few of the reasons for the low rate of employment include inadequate vocational training, a need for on-the-job coaching and widespread discrimination.

Missed Opportunity

In spite of the harsh facts, workers with autism have many advantages to offer prospective employers.  For example:

• Employees with autism may thrive on routine and be extremely reliable
• They may excel at pattern recognition and logical reasoning
• They may be able to talk others through a crisis by memorizing emergency procedures
• They may be highly attentive to detail and notice tiny discrepancies

With appropriate training and job accommodations, these employees can reduce their dependence on disability benefits paid by the government while also becoming valuable team members in competitive industries. How can we make that happen?  Author and scientist Dr. Temple Grandin writes that the key is to encourage special interests early on so that life experiences can mature organically into career options.  In her book “Developing Talents,” Dr. Grandin explains, “To build success, parents should help their children develop their natural talents.  Often, these talents are the first steps toward a paying job later on.  Drawing, writing, building models, programming computers or landscaping yards - all of these can grow into paying jobs.” Here are 5 examples of organizations that are working to make this dream a reality.

1. Technology

In 2013, the German software firm SAP announced plans to recruit hundreds of autistic computer programmers and product testers because of their ability to “think differently and spark innovation.” SAP works closely with the Specialist People Foundation, an organization which harnesses “the special characteristics and talents of people with autism and use them as a competitive advantage, and as a means to help people with autism secure meaningful employment.”

2. Food Service

The After 26 Depot in Cadillac, Michigan is a non-profit restaurant and banquet hall that trains and employs adults with developmental and cognitive disabilities.  In Michigan, public schools are required to provide special education services through age 26 unless a student is able to earn a high school diploma before then - that’s how the restaurant got its name!

3. Arts

In the fall of 2015, the Friendship Circle will open the Soul Studio Arts and Culinary Program in West Bloomfield, Michigan.  The studio will provide training to artists with disabilities in nine fields:

• Painting
• Weaving
• Pottery
• Photography
• Printmaking
• Digital Arts
• Woodworking
• Framing
• Culinary Arts

The studio will have its own gallery for exhibitions and sales, as well as its own cafe and banquet for preparing and serving food. You can see a number of different studios across the U.S. here.

4. Large Retail Corporations

Ken’s Krew is a non-profit that offers vocational training, job placement services and on-the-job support for individuals with developmental disabilities. Ken’s Krew partners with large corporations such as Home Depot, CVS, Wegmans, Fairway, Boscov’s and Outback Steakhouse in Delaware, Maryland, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

5. Small business

Rising Tide Car Wash in Parkland, Florida is a for-profit business venture “dedicated to the empowerment of individuals with autism.”  Here is a video that explains how the business got started: How will you help turn the dream of employment into reality?