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The Costs and Benefits of Employing an Adult with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review

Author

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  • Andrew Jacob
  • Melissa Scott
  • Marita Falkmer
  • Torbjörn Falkmer

Abstract

Background: Despite an ambition from adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to be employed, there are limited opportunities for competitive employment for this group. Employment is not only an entitlement enjoyed by others in society, but employing adults with ASD also has economic benefits by decreasing lost productivity and resource costs for this group. Few studies have explored the cost-benefit ratio for employing adults with ASD and even fewer have taken the viewpoint of the employer, particularly applying this situation to ASD. Until such study occurs, employers may continue to be reluctant to employ adults from this group. Objective: This review aimed to examine the costs, benefits and the cost-benefit ratio of employing adults with ASD, from a societal perspective and from the perspective of employers. Methods: Eight databases were searched for scientific studies within defined inclusion criteria. These databases included CINAHL Plus, Cochrane Library, Emerald, Ovid Medline, ProQuest, PsycINFO, Scopus and Web of Science. Results and Conclusion: Enhancing the opportunities for adults with ASD to join the workforce is beneficial from a societal perspective, not only from an inclusiveness viewpoint, but also from a strict economic standpoint. Providing supported employment services for adults with ASD does not only cut the cost compared with providing standard care, it also results in better outcomes for adults with ASD. Despite the fact that ASD was the most expensive group to provide vocational rehabilitation services for, adults with ASD have a strong chance of becoming employed once appropriate measures are in place. Hence, rehabilitation services could be considered as a worthwhile investment. The current systematic review uncovered the fact that very few studies have examined the benefits, the costs and the cost-benefit ratio of employing an adult with ASD from the perspective of employers indicating a need for this topic to be further explored.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrew Jacob & Melissa Scott & Marita Falkmer & Torbjörn Falkmer, 2015. "The Costs and Benefits of Employing an Adult with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(10), pages 1-15, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0139896
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0139896
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Satoris S. Howes, 2023. "Emotional Intelligence in Autistic Adults: A Review with Considerations for Employers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-18, April.
    2. Grundwag, Chally & Nordfors, David & Yirmiya, Nurit, 2017. "“Coolabilities” - Enhanced Abilities In Disabling Conditions," SocArXiv stgd4, Center for Open Science.
    3. Timothy Callaghan & Steven Sylvester, 2019. "Autism spectrum disorder, politics, and the generosity of insurance mandates in the United States," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(5), pages 1-22, May.
    4. 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.
    5. Carlton J. Fong & Joshua Taylor & Aynura Berdyyeva & Amanda M. McClelland & Kathleen M. Murphy & John D. Westbrook, 2021. "Interventions for improving employment outcomes for persons with autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review update," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 17(3), September.
    6. Craig Thompson & Sven Bölte & Torbjörn Falkmer & Sonya Girdler, 2018. "To be understood: Transitioning to adult life for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(3), pages 1-16, March.

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