Reimagining hiring processes for autistic adults in early employment

Abstract

Autistic adults desire employment yet face barriers during hiring processes. This phenomenological study explores autistic adults’ early hiring experiences and ways to improve hiring processes. Ten autistic adults with less than five years of employment experience selfselected. Surveys and reflexive thematic analysis were used. Three themes described participants’ experience: Hiring Processes are Anxiety-Provoking; Sometimes the Job Found Me; and Balancing Personal Needs with Meaningful Work. Two themes described ways to improve hiring processes: Acceptance of Neurodiversity and Assistance with Hiring Processes. Findings highlight the importance of connections and the need for further research on improving employment outcomes through networking