Autism-friendly employers are committed to hiringneurodivergentpeople and providing workplace accommodations for autistic employees and those with other conditions.Unless you know where to look, however, it can be hard to know which employers are actively offering jobs to autistic adults and teenagers.In recent years, several major top tech companies have launched workplace inclusion programs that make it easier for neurodivergent people to find good jobs.This article looks at 10 of the most autism-friendly employers in the United States. As you’ll see, some of these companies are open to people with a wide range of abilities; others are intentionally looking for autistic people withlow support needsand specific skill sets.Portra Images/Getty ImagesWhy More Autism-Friendly Employers?According to research, job-related activities help autistic people to improve daily living skills and manage their autism traits. Even so, only about half of autistic adults are employed.There’s no doubt thatemploymentis elusive forautistic adults. This reality, however, is changing fast.The reasons for this rapid expansion of opportunities aren’t absolutely clear, but here are a few facts:Autism awareness is growing. A largeincrease in diagnosesmeans that an estimated 1 in 36 American children has autism.The increase in diagnoses is, at least in part, the result of much broaderdiagnostic criteria for autism. Instead of including only severely disabled individuals, the autism spectrum now includes individuals with high intelligence and significant skills.There is an increasing need for workers with the skills, thought patterns, and work ethic that are common among autistic people.Autistic people often preferrepetitivework and may not have a strong desire or need for novelty. This can be an asset in many jobs and can be harder to find within the general community.Autistic people are, in general, dependable, focused, routine- and detail-oriented, and passionate about their work. Many have outstanding technical and/or math skills. And quite a few are able to find unique solutions to problems that have eluded their more conventional colleagues.10 Things to Know About Autism and Employment
Autism-friendly employers are committed to hiringneurodivergentpeople and providing workplace accommodations for autistic employees and those with other conditions.
Unless you know where to look, however, it can be hard to know which employers are actively offering jobs to autistic adults and teenagers.
In recent years, several major top tech companies have launched workplace inclusion programs that make it easier for neurodivergent people to find good jobs.
This article looks at 10 of the most autism-friendly employers in the United States. As you’ll see, some of these companies are open to people with a wide range of abilities; others are intentionally looking for autistic people withlow support needsand specific skill sets.
Portra Images/Getty Images
Why More Autism-Friendly Employers?
According to research, job-related activities help autistic people to improve daily living skills and manage their autism traits. Even so, only about half of autistic adults are employed.
There’s no doubt thatemploymentis elusive forautistic adults. This reality, however, is changing fast.
The reasons for this rapid expansion of opportunities aren’t absolutely clear, but here are a few facts:
Autistic people are, in general, dependable, focused, routine- and detail-oriented, and passionate about their work. Many have outstanding technical and/or math skills. And quite a few are able to find unique solutions to problems that have eluded their more conventional colleagues.
10 Things to Know About Autism and Employment
Microsoft
Microsoft’s dedicatedNeurodiversity Hiring Programoffers job recruitment and career development strategies related to diversity and inclusion.
The non-traditional hiring event gives candidates a chance to reveal their talents and meet hiring managers and teams while learning about Microsoft and its opportunities.
Microsoft notes that autistic people have succeeded in multiple full- and part-time employment roles, including software engineer and data scientist positions.
SAPSAP is a very large tech firm based in Germany but with offices located around the world. The company has a strong diversity program which includes theirAutism at Work Program.This groundbreaking program launched in 2013, and it integrates autistic adults into the workforce.Currently, more than 200 SAP colleagues are employed via the Autism at Work program.
SAP
SAP is a very large tech firm based in Germany but with offices located around the world. The company has a strong diversity program which includes theirAutism at Work Program.
This groundbreaking program launched in 2013, and it integrates autistic adults into the workforce.
Currently, more than 200 SAP colleagues are employed via the Autism at Work program.
FordFord partnered with the Autism Alliance of Michigan to found a program with the specific goal of hiring and supporting autistic employees. This program is now titled FordWorks.Ford worked with the Product Development Vehicle Evaluation and Verification supervisors and Human Resources to determine employment needs, and then teamed up with the Autism Alliance of Michigan to understand the talents and strengths of autistic people.The Spectrum of Autism Traits
Ford
Ford partnered with the Autism Alliance of Michigan to found a program with the specific goal of hiring and supporting autistic employees. This program is now titled FordWorks.
Ford worked with the Product Development Vehicle Evaluation and Verification supervisors and Human Resources to determine employment needs, and then teamed up with the Autism Alliance of Michigan to understand the talents and strengths of autistic people.
The Spectrum of Autism Traits
Ernst and YoungErnst and Young is a huge international accounting firm that has discovered the value of neurodiversity to its bottom line. According to its website, “Companies are finding that people with autism approach problems differently and that their logical, straightforward thinking can spur process improvements that greatly increase productivity.”As a company that is actively trying to recruit autistic people, Ernst and Young determined that “though many people with autism are intelligent, well-educated and eager to work, they often face interpersonal challenges that make it difficult to get in the door.”To address this and related issues, the company created a project team to find, train, and place autistic employees. They also created a unique “Center of Excellence” in Philadelphia specifically geared to making the most of autistic employees’ particular strengths.
Ernst and Young
Ernst and Young is a huge international accounting firm that has discovered the value of neurodiversity to its bottom line. According to its website, “Companies are finding that people with autism approach problems differently and that their logical, straightforward thinking can spur process improvements that greatly increase productivity.”
As a company that is actively trying to recruit autistic people, Ernst and Young determined that “though many people with autism are intelligent, well-educated and eager to work, they often face interpersonal challenges that make it difficult to get in the door.”
To address this and related issues, the company created a project team to find, train, and place autistic employees. They also created a unique “Center of Excellence” in Philadelphia specifically geared to making the most of autistic employees’ particular strengths.
Walgreens
Walgreens runs a program called REDI, which stands for Retail Employees with Disabilities. Working with local agencies, they provide externs with training in specific skill areas and then evaluate each individual to place them appropriately.
Autism Coaches and Experts
Home Depot and CVS CaremarkBoth Home Depot and CVS Caremark partnered with an organization called Ken’s Krew to recruit and train disabled employees.In fact, a co-founder of Home Depot played an important role in getting Ken’s Krew started. The program provides job matching, training, job coaching, community supports, and more.Ken’s Krew associates are working in over 150 Home Depot stores across the country.
Home Depot and CVS Caremark
Both Home Depot and CVS Caremark partnered with an organization called Ken’s Krew to recruit and train disabled employees.In fact, a co-founder of Home Depot played an important role in getting Ken’s Krew started. The program provides job matching, training, job coaching, community supports, and more.
Ken’s Krew associates are working in over 150 Home Depot stores across the country.
AMC
AMC Theatres’ FOCUS program, which stands for Furthering Opportunities, Cultivating Untapped Strengths, is an employee development program specifically directed toward hiring disabled individuals. One of their partners for this program is the Autism Society.
Autism-Focused BusinessesMore young autistic adults are finishing school and struggling to enter the workforce. At the same time, more businesses are discovering the benefits of hiring autistic employees. These two factors, together, are spurring the growth of small businesses built around the strengths of autistic workers.A few of these businesses in the United States include:Rising Tide Car WashUltranauts (software testing)Spectrum Designs (t-shirts)SMILE BiscottiSummaryIt’s challenging for autistic adults and teenagers to find employment, but many companies are launching initiatives aimed at making it easier for neurodivergent people to enter the workforce.Some companies are specifically looking for individuals who have autism traits, as these can be beneficial when performing certain kinds of work. Others are actively recruiting autistic people as a part of workplace diversity initiatives.A Word From VerywellIf you or an autistic loved one is starting to look into job options, it makes sense to do some homework to uncover some of the possibilities. Even autistic individuals with limited skills have more opportunities than ever before.Your local vocational agencies may not know about all the options, so it’s up to you to explore what’s out there, what’s possible, and how to apply.
Autism-Focused Businesses
More young autistic adults are finishing school and struggling to enter the workforce. At the same time, more businesses are discovering the benefits of hiring autistic employees. These two factors, together, are spurring the growth of small businesses built around the strengths of autistic workers.
A few of these businesses in the United States include:
Summary
It’s challenging for autistic adults and teenagers to find employment, but many companies are launching initiatives aimed at making it easier for neurodivergent people to enter the workforce.
Some companies are specifically looking for individuals who have autism traits, as these can be beneficial when performing certain kinds of work. Others are actively recruiting autistic people as a part of workplace diversity initiatives.
A Word From Verywell
If you or an autistic loved one is starting to look into job options, it makes sense to do some homework to uncover some of the possibilities. Even autistic individuals with limited skills have more opportunities than ever before.
Your local vocational agencies may not know about all the options, so it’s up to you to explore what’s out there, what’s possible, and how to apply.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Forbes.Effective autism (neurodiversity) employment: a legal perspective.Ohl A, Grice Sheff M, Small S, Nguyen J, Paskor K, Zanjirian A.Predictors of employment status among adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder.Work. 2017;56(2):345-355. doi:10.3233/WOR-172492Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Data and statistics on autism spectrum disorder.Microsoft.Global diversity and inclusion.Microsoft.Join us: working together to help people with autism enter the workforce.SAP.Global diversity and inclusion.Ford.Inclusive hiring.Ernst and Young.Neurodiversity-powered transformation.Walgreens.REDI: Retail Employees with Disabilities program guide.Ken’s Krew.About us.AMC Theatres.AMC diversity and inclusion.
Forbes.Effective autism (neurodiversity) employment: a legal perspective.
Ohl A, Grice Sheff M, Small S, Nguyen J, Paskor K, Zanjirian A.Predictors of employment status among adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder.Work. 2017;56(2):345-355. doi:10.3233/WOR-172492
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Data and statistics on autism spectrum disorder.
Microsoft.Global diversity and inclusion.
Microsoft.Join us: working together to help people with autism enter the workforce.
SAP.Global diversity and inclusion.
Ford.Inclusive hiring.
Ernst and Young.Neurodiversity-powered transformation.
Walgreens.REDI: Retail Employees with Disabilities program guide.
Ken’s Krew.About us.
AMC Theatres.AMC diversity and inclusion.
TD Magazine.A workforce that spans the spectrum.
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