Resources for Employers

Many organizations and agencies have developed resources related to employment for individuals with autism or for employers who want to provide an equitable work experience for their employees with autism. The list below contains valuable information that you may find useful as you seek to understand the experience of individuals with autism seeking employment or prepare individuals with autism for work at your company.

 

Getting the Best from an Employee with ASD: 10 Tips for Job Success

The following document is a brief introduction to providing beneficial supports to employees with ASD and includes a number of recommendations that can be easily implemented at the workplace. 

10 Tips for Job Success Document

 

Illinois workNet: disability works Training Videos

These non-autism-specific videos are designed to help employers navigate the process of hiring persons with disabilities or working with their employees with disabilities.  These videos cover the ADA, reasonable accommodations, assistive technology, and other topics that can be applied to working with individuals with ASD. 

Disabilityworks Training Videos

 

 

Interviewing Tips

This document provides tips for individuals on how to prepare for an interview and how to conduct themselves during an interview, with special emphasis on areas that may be particularly relevant to an individual with autism.

Interviewing Tips Document

 

 

Interviewing Tips Assessment

This document supplements the tips provided above.  This self-assessment walks through important steps in the job search and interview process and can even be used to conduct mock interviews. 

Interviewing Tips Assessment Document

 

 

Job Description Template

This document provides a template for employers to provide clear descriptions of the work environment and duties for employees with autism.

Job Description Document

 

 

National Autism Center: Resources

The National Autism Center has made free resources available through their online library.  These resources include national standards reports and a range of other guides.  They provide valuable insight into evidence-based practices that can be used to train individuals with ASD.

National Autism Center Resources Webpage

 

 

National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorder (NPDC)

The NPDC provides a number of modules that introduce evidence-based practices including some that can be used to train employees with ASD to perform new skills or those that can be incorporated into a process for providing feedback.  Each module can be accessed independently and provides guidance on one specific best practice. 

NPDC: Evidence-Based Practices Webpage

 

 

Social Communication in the Workplace

The following document allows individuals with ASD to assess their experience with social communication in the workplace.

Social Communication in the Workplace Document

 

 

When Should I Disclose My Autism

The decision to disclose a diagnosis of ASD is a personal and sometimes sensitive process. This document provides a list of considerations and some helpful suggestions for students who face the decision to disclose their ASD to others and considers academic, employment, and social contexts.

When Should I Disclose My Autism Document

 

 

Why I Should Hire Someone with ASD:  10 Characteristics of a Successful Employee

The following document is a brief introduction to common characteristics shared by many individuals with ASD and the benefits they bring to the workplace.  However, as autism is a spectrum, it is important to know that each individual is different, and identifying the strengths and weaknesses of an individual is important if you want to develop the skills of your employees with ASD.

Why I Should Hire Someone with ASD Document