What Jobs are Autism-Friendly?

Written by Calvin Bowers
Last updated Monday January 6 2025

Are you interested in finding autism-friendly jobs? While certain positions may not be suitable for someone with autism, there are plenty of opportunities out there that will suit your unique strengths.

The employment gap for adults with autism is far greater than previously thought. New data from the ONS shows that just 22% of adults with autism are in paid employment. This is compared to 54% for people with disabilities and 82% for non-disabled people. It’s clear that much more needs to be done to close this employment gap and help more people with autism find paid employment. 

In today’s blog, we aim to help people with autism find meaningful work. We’ll take a look at some common challenges faced by people with autism when looking for jobs and share tips for creating a more supportive workplace environment. Of course, we’ll also share top tips on finding the best autism-friendly jobs UK.

Let’s get to it!

Common Challenges to Employment for Autistic Adults

Job options depend on the abilities and challenges of each person. However, the realities of autism mean that having a strong ability is simply not enough to get and keep a job. This is mainly due to the potential challenges that come along with it. Some of the challenges that may be obstacles to employment as an autistic person relate to:

Social communication

People with autism can find it difficult to understand verbal and non-verbal cues, often taking things people say very literally, but this can vary for each individual.

Social interaction

Autistic people tend to have difficulty recognising and understanding the feelings and emotions of themselves and others. They may have trouble expressing their emotions and interacting with people appropriately for each situation. This is often why autistic adults prefer to spend time alone.

Social imagination

People with autism can find it difficult to plan ahead and have an idea of what may happen in the future. The idea of change can also be problematic.

Sensory sensitivity

Some autistic people can be overly sensitive to sound, light, touch, smell or taste. In a workplace setting, this could mean they require their own dedicated area to avoid being exposed to these aspects.

What Are The Best Autism-Friendly Jobs?

The answer to that question is more about the work environment than the industry and job role. However, there are many jobs for people with autism, which they have been recognised to excel within. The suitability of these roles will depend upon the type of autism each individual has.

  • Computer programming: People with autism often do well in this job as they enjoy logical and predictable work that involves a lot of visual information.
  • Accounting: Accounting is a good job role for autistic people as many are extremely good with numbers. Furthermore, accounting is also based upon rules and logic meaning it is predictable and structured.
  • Data officer: People with autism can be exceptionally good at spotting errors due to their strong attention to detail. As such, they can excel in a role where they must identify, replicate and modify information on a large scale.
  • Graphic designer/animator: Autistic people who are good visual thinkers are well-suited to roles within graphic design and animation. These roles act as a creative outlet to express their perspective and ideas.
  • Gardening work: Gardening work is particularly good for autistic people who struggle with social interaction. The role generally involves working alone in nature, with each task having a clear beginning and end.

Adjusting the Workplace to Support Autistic Employees

According to the Equality Act 2010, employers are legally required to make necessary adjustments to the workplace so that people with disabilities can perform tasks to the best of their ability. 

Some potential adjustments for adults with autism may include:

Providing a clear timetable

This provides the employee with a routine to stick to as much as reasonably possible, providing structure and predictable outcomes each day. It’s helpful to outline tasks that need to be completed, with a plan B in case tasks cannot be completed for any reason.

Clear communication

When interacting with autistic employees, it’s crucial to communicate information clearly. Use clear and direct language to ensure that nothing is misconstrued. Furthermore, allow the employee to ask questions to avoid any confusion or uncertainty.

Regular feedback

It’s important to provide regular feedback to autistic employees. This should include positive points as well as aspects that may need improvement. It’s a good idea for the manager to suggest ways for improvements to be made.

Effectively managing workplace arrangements

As autistic people may struggle with sensory sensitivities, it’s important to adjust the working environment to allow them to work to their full potential. This may require an adjustment in working hours, designated desk space, adjusted lighting, the use of noise-cancelling headphones and the possibility of adapted travel if required.

➡️ Bonus reading: Employer’s Guide to Autism Workplace Adjustments UK

Conclusion: Finding Autism-Friendly Jobs

In conclusion, finding autism-friendly jobs and supportive workplaces are crucial steps towards bridging the employment gap for autistic adults. By understanding the unique strengths and challenges of individuals with autism, both job seekers and employers can create environments where everyone thrives.

To find out more about adjustments in the workplace, visit the National Autistic Society.

Ready to start your search for autism-friendly jobs UK? Look no further than the Careers with Disabilities jobs board

Our Job Seekers Support Hub is packed with advice on guidance when looking for employment in the UK, including information on your rights, interview tips, and much, much more.

Employers

Are you an employer? Our Employers Resource Hub has plenty of advice and guidance on everything from supporting employees to job advert inclusivity screening.

Sign up for our newsletter for the latest news and advice or get in touch to advertise on our disability-friendly job board.

Our team is awaiting your enquiry so call us at 0345 872 4501 or email info@careerswithdisabilities.com for more.

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Last Updated: Monday January 6 2025

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