Autism and neurodiversity in the workplace: A scoping review of key trends, employer roles, interventions and supports

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Autistic adults continue to experience high rates of unemployment and underemployment. OBJECTIVE: A scoping review was undertaken to: a) synthesise key findings in the literature regarding autism and employment from the employers’ perspective; b) examine trends in employer attitudes, theoretical frameworks and interventions; c) highlight gaps in the literature; and d) propose avenues for further research. METHODS: Literature published between January 1, 2009 and January 1, 2023 was examined using the following databases: CINAHL via Ebsco, Cochrane Library, EMBASE via Ovid SP, ERIC via Ebsco, Medline, PsycINFO via Ebsco, Scopus, Web of Science and ProQuest for dissertations and theses. RESULTS: The search identified 55 studies that met inclusion criteria. Selected articles were organised into the following themes: theoretical frameworks from the employer perspective, autism employment supports from the employer perspective and employer-specific interventions. CONCLUSION: This scoping review suggests that minimal research has been conducted on employer interventions that specifically target work environmental factors. The promotion of diversity in the workplace is an encouraging trend but this has not necessarily included the promotion of neurodiversity. Future research should include interventions to improve current and prospective employer knowledge and attitudes in not just hiring but supporting autistic persons in the workplace.