It’s interesting and so unfortunate how the cards are stacked against an autistic adult when it comes to getting a job and advancing in a career. It can start out quite well for the higher functioning individual, thanks to how internet job searches and electronic or web-based applications have depersonalized the process of finding a job. The days of “help wanted” signs in store windows and walking in the door to “apply within” have slipped away. If you have a laptop, smart phone or other device, simple word processing skills, and a high school diploma, you’re ready to apply for many jobs.
But after getting through the initial screening, comes the face-to-face interview. Intimidating to many people, but add the natural social deficits of autism and add a common anxiety diagnosis to it; the job interview goes beyond intimating to nightmarish.
Whoever is doing the interview is likely the exact opposite of the person they’re interviewing. The interviewer is now perplexed or disturbed by this person who presents a limp handshake, is uncomfortable looking them in the face, might appear disinterested, and gives simple “yes” or “no” responses. The manager or HR person may think the interviewee is hiding something from them or just plain lazy. This scenario explains to a large extent why the unemployment rate for autistic adults approaches 90%.
I went to a high school career fair recently that included presentations from employers in the area. These would be typical entry level or summer jobs youth would be seeking as their first jobs. Under the right circumstances, some could lead to career jobs but most would not. The employers included managers of fast food restaurants, county recreation programs and other retail businesses.
Without exception, all these business owners and hiring managers said they would hire candidates with the biggest smiles, most engaging personalities, and bubbling with enthusiasm. They want the “up” personalities, Type A’s, the Energizer bunnies. One guy even said “I’m looking for cheerleaders!”
I thought to myself “how superficial – like looking for a used car salesman.” My apologies to the many fine used car salesmen who may be reading this! I recalled all the job interviews I’ve had where I left thinking “Did I smile enough? Did my voice have enough inflection and did I show enough enthusiasm? I know I have the credentials and the experience to do the job in my sleep. But did I do a good enough sales job to get it?”
I grant you that certain retail jobs, especially cashiers and customer service positions, require a high degree of personal skills, multi-tasking and interaction that would be stressful to many folks with ASD. A good job coach would know how to address this and steer the client in a different direction.
However, my hope is that more and more hiring managers venture outside this narrow box of thinking and analyzing job candidates. I remember reading of a study showing that 51% of people worldwide are introverts. Of course it doesn’t seem that way because the extroverts are making more noise.
People with autism and other intellectual disabilities might not present themselves well but they could be the best workers you will ever employ. Most are highly focused on the tasks at hand. Many can be counted on to show up on time and work very hard. Paying attention to detail is their strong suite. They might take a little more time completing the job, but your floors will be the cleanest ever, your pastry never tasted so good, and your product assembled so well.
