Short report: Gendered workplace social interaction processes in autism

Abstract

BackgroundNavigating workplace social interactions can be stressful for autistic people and be experienced differently by gender. A better understanding of the autistic experience of these difficulties is needed to inform effective policy, practice, and individualized support. MethodFifty-five autistic individuals (n women=32; n men=22) participated in either an online survey or focus group. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. ResultsThe data suggests that the social and interaction expectations placed upon autistic individuals differ by gender and can contribute to occupational stress. ConclusionsThe data provides a basis for further investigation considering Conservation of Resources Theory and its practical application to inform reasonable adjustments in the workplace for autistic people. What this paper addsThe gendered workplace experiences of autistic people is an emerging area of research. However, how workplace social interactions are experienced by each gender remains under-researched. An understanding of this could help decrease occupational stress, inform reasonable adjustments, and increase labor market participation in this population.This paper adds to the existing literature in showing that workplace social interactions for autistic people are experienced differently by gender. As such, the implications in the experience of occupational stress may also differ. Therefore, the importance of having reasonable adjustments in the workplace that account for gender is highlighted.