Communicating with Autistic People in the Workplace

Jan 12, 2024

Employment

Why is it so important to learn more about how to support people with autism in the workplace?

Autistic people often have difficulty with social communication and interaction. This includes trouble with understanding non-verbal communication (eye contact, body language), elements of verbal communication (non-literal phrases, vague statements, convoluted statements), and environmental stimuli (certain kinds of environmental noise, blinking lights / screensavers). Many autistic adults are capable of working and provide a unique skill set; yet, only 22% of autistic adults are employed full-time. One reason for this low percentage is the discrimination that autistic people may experience in the workplace.

Autistic adults who don’t receive support from their colleagues and employers can face significant disadvantages. A lot of employers may not have a good sense of what autistic people can do, so they often overlook those affected by autism. Studies have shown that 46% of the autistic adults who are employed full-time are over-educated or exceed the level of skills necessary for their position. Employers may have a bias about what autistic people can do and may underestimate their ability; therefore, employers must become educated on how to cultivate a considerate and inclusive environment so that autistic people can not only feel comfortable, but can thrive. The first step towards best utilizing the skill sets of autistic employees starts with establishing effective communication skills in the workplace.

How can you create a more accessible work environment for autistic employees?

Stimuli in the work environment can be loud and overwhelming which may be difficult for those with autism to navigate. By making a few small changes, it is possible to create a friendlier and more inclusive approach to communication.

Designate quiet work rooms to eliminate distractions. Installing noise-canceling materials such as noise panels or carpeting, as well as providing noise-canceling headphones will assist with this.
Offering dimmer lighting, flexible scheduling, and an adjustable desk. Providing accommodations to your employees reduces overwhelming stimuli and gives them the opportunity to modify their environment to what makes them the most comfortable and productive.
Use a softer and more direct form of communication. To avoid confusion, use literal terms and be straightforward.
Host training sessions among the staff to demonstrate effective communication skills, understanding, and empathy. Including team-building exercises allows for the team to be more intentional in their words and actions.
Create a safe and collaborative space in which employees can share their experiences and perspectives on what does and does not work regarding workplace communication. The goal is to ensure that every employee becomes more intentional and considerate during interactions in and out of the workplace. The BlueCross BlueShield of Michigan outlines some good guidelines for working with autistic employees, which you can find here.

What can you do to make an autistic colleague feel more comfortable and engage with others?

If your autistic colleague does not appear comfortable making eye contact, don’t press the issue.
Understand that your autistic colleagues have no control over their flat affect (no change in tone, fixed or diminished response in facial expression).
Listen patiently and be tolerant. An autistic person may be extremely interested in some things but not in others, so be considerate about what they choose to share with you.
Introduce structure and outline workplace expectations to reduce confusion and establish what is and is not acceptable.
Reduce distractions by hosting a meeting virtually.

What are some dos and don’ts when communicating with an autistic colleague?

Do’s:

Modify your communication style and language if it appears that the your autistic colleague does not understand. Start by simplifying your instructions to make them clearer and space out the information you provide.
Ask follow up questions if you misunderstand their questions and support team members in taking turns in the conversation.
Use visuals when addressing changes to your autistic colleague’s routine. This aids them in adjusting to a situation that they may find challenging.
Visuals should also be used to aid in explaining directions in general. While verbal communication may not be retained fully in that instant, visual information can be referred to over time and provide a refresher on the tasks at hand.
Continue to communicate with your autistic colleague despite unusual eye contact or body language.
Understand that repetitive behavior may be a response to strong feelings that your autistic colleague is experiencing. This may include rocking their body or flapping their hands when they are anxious or excited.

Don’ts:

Use non literal or unclear meanings such as metaphors, idioms, humor, or phrases that may have multiple meanings depending on the context.
Ask open-ended or rhetorical questions which may be overwhelming for some.
Provide multi-step instructions, especially if your autistic colleague is in an overstimulating area or is distracted.
Ignore your autistic colleague or pretend they are not there. This also includes when your colleague may be having difficulties with non-verbal communication such as eye contact or gestures.
Change the routine without warming or without offering support to cope with the change.
Ask your autistic colleague to stop performing repetitive behavior.

What are some recommended jobs for autistic adults?

Many autistic adults are very capable and have high attention to detail. While many people associate autism with intellectual impairments, it is important to remember that the majority of people with autism have average to above average intelligence. And, like any other group of people, autistic people have a wide range of interests, strengths, and abilities. Autistic people may thrive in jobs that require attention to detail (such as accountants, paralegals) and/or require the ability to think systematically (such as engineers, plumbers, computer programmers). For more information on jobs that may hone an autistic individual’s skills, follow this link.

Why is it so important to participate in the workforce as an autistic person?

Participating in the workforce instills a sense of accomplishment and provides an environment for autistic people to practice social and practical skills consistently. A job cultivates new experiences and allows the autistic person to get out of their bubble, which will improve their quality of life. And lastly, a job can provide an autistic person greater degree of independence and financial security than they would otherwise be able to have.

Article by: The Autism ToolKit