Emotional Intelligence in Autistic Adults: A Review with Considerations for Employers

Abstract

Emotional intelligence is important within the workplace, as indicated by the multitude of positive workplace outcomes associated with heightened emotional intelligence. Research has demonstrated that many autistic individuals exhibit lower levels of trait emotional intelligence, potentially putting them at a disadvantage within the workplace. Emotional intelligence, however, is multifaceted, yet research on how autistic adults fare in these facets separately has remained siloed. All four facets are important and should be considered alongside one another to allow for a complete understanding of emotional intelligence and autism. The purpose of this paper is to review existing research with respect to how autistic individuals fare for each of the four facets of emotional intelligence, namely, perceiving emotions, using emotions to facilitate thought, understanding emotions, and managing emotions. This review is primarily intended to be descriptive and not prescriptive, though areas for consideration within the workplace—particularly regarding how autistic individuals may experience difficulties in meeting the necessary demands for sustainable career success—based on the reported findings are provided. Given this and the recognition that neurodiversity is an important component of organizational diversity, this paper is important for both individual employment sustainability efforts and organizational sustainable competitive advantage efforts.