Autism at work: changing the perspective

Are there many biases about autism that hinder the employment of people with an autism spectrum disorder?

Thijs Calcoen: “First of all, there’s no such thing as ‘the autistic employee’. Autism is a spectrum condition and affects people in different ways. Like all of us, people with autism have their strengths and weaknesses. Because we often look at autism through standard spectacles, we quickly interpret their behaviour as ‘odd’, while we just lack the context to understand the differences. At Autimatic, we want to provide that context and turn limitations into talents. Employers who are on board with this, get a very valuable group of employees in return.”

What kind of jobs offer the best chances of success for people with autism?

Natalie De Koker: “The most suitable job will vary from one person to another. But autistic people are generally very strong in repetitive tasks. They often have great attention to detail and focus, and remain committed to a task longer than most people. That’s why we believe that people with autism are an excellent addition to existing teams within an organisation. But again, there’s no one-size-fits-all.”

Thijs Calcoen: “Together with the employer we look for suitable tasks. Some people prefer it when the job is almost always the same, while others like a little variety. Yet, overall, we strive for long-term assignments with the same employer. That is beneficial for everyone.”

For employers who are considering hiring someone with an autism spectrum condition, what do they need to know?

Natalie De Koker: “As everyone with autism is different, my first and most crucial tip would be to ask your employee what he or she needs. What works for one person doesn't necessarily work for another. Most individuals on the autism spectrum struggle in some degree with social interaction, empathy, communication and flexibility. To reduce these obstacles, it’s important to focus on three things: clarity, overview and predictability.” 

How does the collaboration between Autimatic, your customers and employees work?

Thijs Calcoen: “When a company wants to use our services and we’ve agreed on the type of tasks they want to outsource to Autimatic, we first select a buddy. This is an employee who will act as the fixed point of contact within the company. The Autimatic employees can turn to their buddy with all work-related questions. However, the buddy does not have to solve everything. There are regular meet-ups with us and the coaches, to see who needs to step in.

In the future, we want to involve the coaches even more in the workplace. That way, they can assess from the start whether a particular task is feasible or not. We believe all parties involved will benefit from a closer relationship between the coaches and the company.”

To help autistic people adjust to their new job or workplace, job coaching can be very useful. What does this entail exactly?

Natalie De Koker: “As an autism coach, I provide mental support, when employees struggle with social contact, cooperation or communication, for example. We meet up ad-hoc or during recurring fixed appointments to discuss specific issues. I mainly act as a sounding board, helping them come up with a concrete solution, like sending an email to request a meeting. Things that seem very normal to us, are often less evident for people with autism.

In addition, I provide guidance and counselling in stress-related cases. Either the job is too stressful or employees experience difficulties at work due to a stressful home situation. Together, we look for methods to manage their time more efficiently, as well as possible ways to relax. It’s important to point out the importance of self-care, so they don't completely lose themselves in a job.”