ONLY one in six autistic people is in full-time work, according to a charity which is calling for the Scottish Government to do more to help.
The National Autistic Society (NAS) is calling for better training for those who are working to help people with autism in their search for jobs. Only 16 per cent of autistic people are in full-time paid work and there has been no significant improvement in the figures over the past decade.
Just 32 per cent are in full or part-time jobs, compared with 80 per cent of the general population and 47 per cent of disabled people.
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NAS said the Scottish Government should take into account the specific needs of the 37,000 working-age people with autism in Scotland as it implements new devolved powers over welfare. The charity has also urged employers to help close the “autism employment gap” by providing more work experience and volunteering opportunities.
According to NAS, this will help employers understand the needs of those with autism and the contribution they can make.
It also wants to see less use of face-to-face assessments which are often problematic for people who may have difficulty making eye contact, processing information and answering questions, or who can suffer from sensory overload in crowded situations, due to autism or an autistic spectrum disorder. In a survey of 2,000 autistic adults, NAS found that more than three quarters who are unemployed say they want to work, but four in ten say they never have.
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However, campaigners say that with understanding from their employer and colleagues, as well as reasonable adjustments to the interview process and workplace, many autistic people can be a real asset to businesses.
Michael Clarkson, who has Asperger syndrome but works for two universities in roles that include IT tutoring, exam invigilation, and visa checking, has told how he has been “held back” by the way society handles his condition.
The 42-year-old, from Glasgow, said: “Some of the traits relating to my Asperger’s mean that I am good at my jobs. I have excellent concentration, focus for repetitive tasks and high attention to detail. I am an honest worker.
“Despite this, I have faced barriers to employment. Job interviews can be difficult and I think that employers sometimes feel that they would be taking an increased risk in employing me.”
Jenny Paterson, director of NAS Scotland, said many autistic people are desperate to find a job. She added: “Our research reveals shocking levels of underemployment among autistic people.
“UK governments have introduced various schemes aimed at improving the disability employment rate over the years but it clearly hasn’t worked for autistic people.”
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Ms Paterson said new welfare powers would give the Scottish Government the chance to help improve matters. “We’re calling on it to consult with autistic people, their families and the third sector as it implements the new programme,” she added.
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