Best Practices- Autism at Work
As an inclusive organization, Full Spectrum believes in the importance of creating a company culture where all employees feel valued, respected, and supported. In honor of Autism Acceptance Month, we want to focus on how employers can create a more welcoming and accessible workplace and company culture for Autistic employees.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), More than 5.4 million adults in the U.S. are on the autism spectrum, and the prevalence has increased over the years. As more autistic individuals enter the workforce, it is essential that employers understand how to support these employees and create an inclusive workplace culture that embraces neurodiversity.
Here are some strategies that employers can implement to create a more welcoming and accessible workplace for your employees:
Provide Training and Education for Managers and Employees
Employers can provide training and education for managers and employees to help them understand and support Autistic employees. This training can include information on the characteristics common to those on the Autism Spectrum, typical challenges that these employees may face, and strategies for effectively communicating and working with employees. Here are a few ways that employers can offer education to their teams about autism:
Invite guest speakers who are experts in the field (preferably those who are autistic themselves!) to share their knowledge and experiences with your employees.
Provide your employees with resources that they can refer to when they need to learn more about autism. This can include brochures, online resources, or books. Here is a great resource that you can provide to your employees for free: https://autismacceptance.com/.
Use your internal communication channels to raise awareness about autism and how to create an inclusive workplace for employees. This can include articles in your company newsletter, posters and flyers in common areas, or emails to all employees.
Here is a great, easy resource to provide to your employees that goes over some basics, created by Autistic folks themselves: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5a88ab00f43b552a84c3b7c9/t/5fe035da15a11837d0d2a999/1608529378974/Autism+for+employers+-+NDH.pdf
2. Make Reasonable Accommodations
Employers can also make reasonable accommodations to support Autistic employees. Accommodations can include flexible work schedules, allowing for breaks, providing noise-canceling headphones, and creating a quiet workspace. These accommodations can help Autistic employees feel more comfortable and productive at work. For additional resources and guides on how to create accommodations for employees, visit https://askjan.org/disabilities/Autism-Spectrum.cfm.
3. Foster a Supportive Company Culture
Employers can foster a supportive company culture that values diversity and inclusion. This can include creating employee resource groups or affinity groups for Autistic employees, providing opportunities for neurodivergent employees to participate in company events and activities, and promoting a culture of empathy and understanding.
4. Focus on Strengths and Abilities
Employers can also focus on the strengths and abilities of Autistic employees. Autistic employees may have unique skills and talents that can benefit the company, such as attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and creativity. By recognizing and valuing these strengths, employers can help their employees feel more appreciated and valued at work. Here is the link to a fantastic article by the Harvard Business Review, which describes how neurodiversity can offer a competitive advantage: https://hbr.org/2017/05/neurodiversity-as-a-competitive-advantage
Creating a welcoming and accessible workplace for Autistic employees is not only the right thing to do, but it can also benefit the company as a whole. By providing training and education, making reasonable accommodations, fostering a supportive company culture, and focusing on strengths and abilities, employers can create an inclusive workplace environment that benefits all employees. As we celebrate Autism Acceptance Month, let’s commit to creating a more inclusive and welcoming workplace for Autistic employees!
For more information on how to create a culture of inclusion, or for specific training tools for your workforce, contact us at info@fullspectrumhr.net.
