Abstract
Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often experience significant difficulties obtaining and maintaining employment. This is reflected in high rates of unemployment and underemployment worldwide. Social communication challenges can lead to difficulties through recruitment and employment processes. In addition, restricted and repetitive behaviours and interests (RRBI) can present significant barriers to the employment of people with autism. However, with sufficient support, individuals with autism can not only succeed in the workplace but may even outperform their colleagues in certain domains. This may be due to skills, or ‘talents’, related to RRBI; for example, attention to detail and tolerance for repetitive tasks. In this chapter we provide a critical appraisal of the evidence supporting the autism talent more generally as it pertains to RRBI, and then focus on the evidence supporting the ‘autism advantage’ in employment specifically. Finally, we discuss the benefits of adopting an individualised approach to research and practice, to best identify and support individual strengths and challenges within the workplace.
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Notes
- 1.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a cluster or neurodevelopmental disorders, which are characterised by impairments in social interaction, communication and restricted and repetitive behaviours and interests (DSM-5; American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Heterogeneity not only characterises the presentation of autism traits across the spectrum, but also the level of impact autism can have on functioning, and subsequent supports. While the discussion that follows on restricted and repetitive behaviours and interests can be applicable across the spectrum, our analysis has a greater focus on strengths and supports associated with autism traits more generally, without addressing any additional support required for individuals with a co-occurring intellectual disability.
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Conflict of Interest Statement
Simon M Bury has received research funding from DXC Technology and ANZ Bank. Darren Hedley has received research funding from DXC Technology, the Australian Government Department of Human Services, and the Australian Government Department of Defence. Darren Hedley is currently supported by a Suicide Prevention Australia National Suicide Prevention Research Fellowship. Mirko Uljarević is currently supported by the Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DE180100632).
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Bury, S.M., Hedley, D., Uljarević, M. (2021). Restricted, Repetitive Behaviours and Interests in the Workplace: Barriers, Advantages, and an Individual Difference Approach to Autism Employment. In: Gal, E., Yirmiya, N. (eds) Repetitive and Restricted Behaviors and Interests in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Autism and Child Psychopathology Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-66445-9_15
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-66445-9_15
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Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-66444-2
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-66445-9
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