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Support Priorities of Autistic University Students and Careers Advisors: Understanding Differences, Building on Strengths

Author

Listed:
  • Alexandra Barry

    (NHS England, London SE1 8UG, UK)

  • Elena Syurina

    (Athena Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Mitzi Waltz

    (Athena Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Background : The number of autistic individuals attending university and entering the workforce is growing, but there is a persistent employment gap. Higher education careers services offer students help to secure employment post-graduation. This research sought to identify barriers to and facilitators of success with regards to career advisors’ practice in helping autistic students prepare for job interviews and secure employment. Methods : A mixed-methods participatory research design incorporating surveys, co-creation workshops, and interviews with stakeholders was employed. Results : Quantitative results showed differences in what advisors and students/graduates viewed as the biggest barriers to employment, with students/graduates rating stress and professional qualifications significantly higher and advisors rating interacting with clients/customers significantly higher. Gender differences were also found. Qualitative results revealed the biggest barriers to be inflexible employers, interview stress, diagnostic disclosure, and confidence; facilitators included an individual focus, clear communication, strengths-based approach leading to self-insight, and mock interviews. Conclusions : Practices identified for better serving autistic students included discussing disclosure options, building confidence, reducing stress through a strengths-based approach, and mock interviews, following up to identify autism-friendly employers, focusing on the individual rather than the diagnosis, and communicating clearly with students/graduates.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexandra Barry & Elena Syurina & Mitzi Waltz, 2023. "Support Priorities of Autistic University Students and Careers Advisors: Understanding Differences, Building on Strengths," Disabilities, MDPI, vol. 3(2), pages 1-20, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jdisab:v:3:y:2023:i:2:p:16-254:d:1158406
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Peter S. WONG & Michelle DONELLY & Philip A. NECK & Bill BOYD, 2018. "Positive Autism: Investigation of Workplace Characteristics. Leading to a Strengths-Based Approach to Employment of People with Autism," REVISTA DE MANAGEMENT COMPARAT INTERNATIONAL/REVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL COMPARATIVE MANAGEMENT, Faculty of Management, Academy of Economic Studies, Bucharest, Romania, vol. 19(1), pages 15-30, March.
    2. Timo Lorenz & Cora Frischling & Raphael Cuadros & Kathrin Heinitz, 2016. "Autism and Overcoming Job Barriers: Comparing Job-Related Barriers and Possible Solutions in and outside of Autism-Specific Employment," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(1), pages 1-19, January.
    3. Melissa Scott & Andrew Jacob & Delia Hendrie & Richard Parsons & Sonya Girdler & Torbjörn Falkmer & Marita Falkmer, 2017. "Employers’ perception of the costs and the benefits of hiring individuals with autism spectrum disorder in open employment in Australia," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(5), pages 1-16, May.
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