Sandra Thom-Jones has tried all kinds of work - selling flowers, tending bar, office work, university leadership. Along the way she has made some mistakes, had some successes, and learnt a lot about the barriers and facilitators for autistic people building a career in a predominantly neurotypical work environment.
Thom-Jones shares her personal experiences and reflections as well as those of her colleagues, providing insights into the challenges and benefits of both being and working with an autistic employee, co-worker and employer. Autistics at Work is also informed by two decades of study into the autistic experience, and covers all aspects of the employment journey, from entering the workforce to senior leadership.
Autistics at Work is essential reading for autistic individuals who are in, or considering entering, the workforce. It is also an invaluable resource for managers, colleagues, employers and employment professionals. This accessible guide includes tools and activities, and each chapter concludes with practical advice for autistic employees and their non-autistic colleagues and employers.
We shouldn't be asking what jobs are suitable for autistic people, but how can we make this job suitable for this autistic person?
PRAISE
'A thorough and insightful look at what it means to be autistic in the workplace. This book is beyond what I imagined it might be-a guide to maximising the output of a particular kind of mind-exploring true inclusivity and ongoing accommodations as a starting point. It also expands on what employment might and could look like for autistic people outside of neurotypical expectations. Sandra's own experiences as an autistic worker bring so much to the page. I loved it.'
Kay Kerr