Organizer: Debra R. Comer, Hofstra U.
Participant: Robert Austin, Ivey Business School
Participant: Susanne Bruyere, Cornell U. Yang-Tan Institute
Participant: Adrienne Colella, Tulane U.
Participant: Eric Patton, Saint Joseph's U.
Participant: Timothy J. Vogus, Vanderbilt U.
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| A few enlightened companies have recognized, sought out, and welcomed the contributions of employees on the autism spectrum. Unfortunately, however, many individuals on the autism spectrum (IotAS), even those with a post-secondary education, are unemployed or underemployed. As a spectrum condition, autism encompasses individuals who are so severely impaired that they require major support systems to manage their lives, as well as those who are relatively mildly affected and can function independently. What all IotAS share, to some extent, are deficiencies in interpersonal communication that make it more difficult for them to fit in social settings, including the workplace. They have knowledge, skills, and abilities organizations need, but their lack of social savvy can impede their participation in the workforce. Enabling IotAS to gain and maintain employment commensurate with their strengths and interests would enhance their well-being, make them more productive members of society, and benefit organizations. The proposed symposium would integrate the perspectives of expert panelists to generate ideas for research and practices that can promote the workplace inclusion of IotAS. The panel would discuss (among other topics): recruitment, selection, and career development (training, coaching, and mentoring) policies and programs for job candidates and employees on the autism spectrum; ways organizations can guide neurotypical managers to focus on IotAS’ job-specific qualifications rather than their social skills, and thereby prevent inadvertent discrimination; and the application of best practices for gender and racio-ethnic diversity and inclusion in the workplace to inform initiatives to advance the inclusion of IotAS. |