Autistic Adults and the Job Force

Autism Employment Setbacks - There are factors that make it hard for autistic adults to find and keep their jobs. A busy environment, aloof conversation, and obsessions with interests are a few of them.
@talfonso (246)
United States
September 24, 2011 11:37am CST
Autistic adults see almost every aspect of life challenging, and nowhere is as trying as the job force. You see, autistics have a very high unemployment rate, and it's even higher when the economy is in bad shape. So why is this true? Well, most job application websites have questions regarding the willingness to work with other people. That willingness is low for a lot of autistics because their communication is awkward, aloof, and/or perseverative. Speaking of the latter trait, a lot of them talk about limited interests instead of what's on topic if making small talk. Besides deficiencies in conversation, the work environment is an employment hurdle. Bright lights, funny smells, and noise, to name a few, make the perfect blend for a full-blown sensory overload. All those stimulating elements of the workplace can jar many autistics' nerves a lot. That's when their caregivers contact vocational rehabilitation services. Some of the time, they cater to autistics' needs in finding a job. Some of the time, they can't help them. Besides those above hurdles, why else is there a huge unemployment rate for adults with autism? If you know of any organizations or companies that specialize in hiring or warmly employing disabled people, who are they and what do they do? Who can caregivers of unemployed autistics turn to if vocational rehabilitation can't?
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