How to Recognize Signs of Autism in the Workplace and Provide Support

Adults with high-functioning autism tend to be quite competent workers but require structure and routine at work. They also struggle with social and communication skills and have trouble fitting in. This article will discuss signs of autism in the workplace.

People with autism can have excellent memories, outstanding mathematical and technical skills, and thrive in areas that require focus, precision, and attention to detail. The way their brains process information can be a great asset to the workplace when they are in the right position and receive the right support.

Recognizing signs of autism in the workplace

Repetitive behaviors

Autistic people may use repetitive behaviors such as bouncing their leg, rocking back and forth, snapping their fingers, or repeatedly standing up and sitting back down as a way of self-soothing and coping with uncomfortable situations when stressed.

Difficulty fitting in

Social interactions are stressful for autistic people. They are uncomfortable making eye contact and have trouble following back-and-forth conversations or understanding and responding to nonverbal cues such as facial expressions or body language.

Limited interests

Autistic people are fixated on certain subjects and may have exceptional skills in certain areas, which they talk about at length, but have little or no interest in anything else.

Struggle with teamwork

Autistic people like to be in control of the tasks they are working on and are uncomfortable working in a team setting. They prefer to work on their own.

Sensory challenges

Extreme sensitivity to light, sounds, smells, or tactile sensations is common for autistic people. They may, for instance, find sounds overwhelming that others can barely hear or be distracted by the cycling of fluorescent lights.

Uncomfortable with change

Autistic people function well when their work is structured and they can follow a predictable routine, but they have trouble adapting to changing demands. They also like to have things arranged a certain way and tend to feel stressed and distressed if their routine is changed or disrupted.

Strengths autistic people bring to the workplace

• Trustworthy, loyal, conscientious, and persevering.
• Hard workers.
• Punctual and reliable.
• High work ethic.
• Excellent logic, problem-solving, and analytic skills.
• Ability to think outside the box.
• Excellent memory and ability to recall details.
• Vast knowledge of specialized fields.
• Detail-oriented and able to catch errors other employees may overlook.
• Focused and committed.

Supportive accommodations for autistic people in the workplace

• Headphones to block out distracting sounds.
• A quiet workspace near a natural light source, and with minimal distractions.
• Visual aids such as flow charts or written step-by-step instructions.
• Dimmed lighting for those sensitive to light.
• Well-defined job expectations.
• Clear, structured training.
• Concise, specific instructions with a beginning, middle, and end.
• Details are broken down to avoid information overload.
• Consistent work schedule.
• Tasks are organized into a timetable, and large projects are broken down into small steps.
• Regular, brief, one-on-one meetings to review and discuss performance.
• Awareness training for managers and coworkers to ensure autistic employees feel valued, welcome, and supported.

If you recognize yourself in this article on signs of autism in the workplace, you may benefit from seeking an official diagnosis. Meeting with a trained mental health practitioner can validate your experience and help you understand why you think and act the way you do. Counseling can also help you improve your social and communication skills, learn how to maximize your strengths and talents and learn how to deal with your challenges more effectively.

If you would like to set up an appointment to meet with one of the counselors listed in the online directory, please don’t hesitate to give us a call.