B1F: Employers Perspectives on Supporting Autistic Employees: A Qualitative Study

Employers’ perspectives on supporting autistic employees remain underexplored. Using a qualitative design, we onducted five focus groups with 12 employers of autistic individuals and analyzed transcripts via qualitative content analysis. mployers described challenges related to social communication, task performance, autismrelated behaviors, environmental factors, and teamwork. Strategies to address these challenges fell into proactive approaches implemented before issues rise and reactive approaches applied in the moment after difficulties occur. Findings can guide employers and state-level supports aiming at improving workplace success and increasing employment opportunities for autistic people.

Learning Outcomes:

Participants will identify key workplace challenges reported by employers of autistic adults.

Participants will distinguish proactive vs. reactive strategies employers use to support success on the job.

Participants will be able to select practical workplace supports that can be applied in workplace settings.

Speakers