Guastella Adam J, Hankin Lorna, Stratton Elizabeth, Glozier Nick, Pellicano Elizabeth, Gibbs Vicki
Clinic for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Research, Brain and Mind Centre, Child Neurodevelopment and Mental Health Team, Children's Hospital Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
JMIR Res Protoc. 2025 May 1;14:e60806. doi: 10.2196/60806.
Adults with autism have a strong desire and need for employment that matches their strengths, skills, and interests. Yet, they are more likely to be un- or underemployed than their neurotypical peers. Facilitators to successful employment include positive attitudes toward and awareness of autism in the workplace, and provision of adequate support and accommodations, including mental health support. Despite previous workplace programs identifying the need for adapted recruitment and interviewing processes, awareness training, and ongoing employee support, there are no programs that specifically provide these supports and adaptations for employees with autism.
In this study protocol, we describe a framework for a new end-to-end supported workplace program for adults with autism that encompasses 8 key areas to promote inclusive workplaces and improve recruitment and retention of employees with autism.
Candidates with autism (n=15) will complete 2 workplace skills training sessions at the University of Sydney's Brain and Mind Centre, before attending a tailored interview, onboarding session, and paid 12-week placement at consulting firm Ernst and Young (EY). EY managers and colleagues (n=30) will complete a half-day awareness and inclusion training program before supporting the adults with autism through their 12-week placements. Tailored mental health support will also be provided. This mixed methods cohort study will assess the change in the daily functioning and well-being of employees with autism, as well as the change in the managers' and colleagues' knowledge, attitude, and confidence in working with adults with autism following the training programs. These changes will be analyzed using repeated measures of ANOVAs.
Data collection for this study was completed in February 2022. As of November 2024, data analysis was in progress. This study is expected to be submitted for publication in June 2025.
This study holds the potential to enhance the recruitment and retention of adults with autism, as well as their overall experience in the workplace.
INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/60806.
患有自闭症的成年人强烈渴望并需要从事与其优势、技能和兴趣相匹配的工作。然而，与神经典型的同龄人相比，他们更有可能失业或就业不足。成功就业的促进因素包括职场对自闭症的积极态度和认知，以及提供充分的支持和便利条件，包括心理健康支持。尽管之前的职场项目已确定需要调整招聘和面试流程、开展认知培训以及持续为员工提供支持，但尚无专门为自闭症员工提供这些支持和调整的项目。
在本研究方案中，我们描述了一个针对患有自闭症的成年人的全新端到端支持职场项目框架，该框架涵盖8个关键领域，以促进包容性职场并改善自闭症员工的招聘和留用情况。
患有自闭症的候选人（n = 15）将在悉尼大学脑与心智中心完成2次职场技能培训课程，之后参加量身定制的面试、入职培训，并在咨询公司安永（EY）进行为期12周的带薪实习。安永的经理和同事（n = 30）将在通过为期12周的实习支持患有自闭症的成年人之前，完成一个为期半天的认知与包容培训项目。还将提供量身定制的心理健康支持。这项混合方法队列研究将评估自闭症员工日常功能和幸福感的变化，以及培训项目后经理和同事在与患有自闭症的成年人合作方面的知识、态度和信心的变化。这些变化将使用重复测量方差分析进行分析。
本研究的数据收集于2022年2月完成。截至2024年11月，数据分析正在进行中。本研究预计将于2025年6月提交发表。
本研究有潜力提高患有自闭症的成年人的招聘和留用率，以及他们在职场的整体体验。
国际注册报告识别码（IRRID）：DERR1-10.2196/60806。
