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Autism in the workforce: A case study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 August 2020

Teresa Ann Grenawalt Open the ORCID record for Teresa Ann Grenawalt [Opens in a new window] ,
Emily A. Brinck ,
Rachel Friefeld Kesselmayer ,
Brian N. Phillips ,
David Geslak ,
David R. Strauser ,
Fong Chan  and
Timothy N. Tansey
Teresa Ann Grenawalt*
Affiliation:
Educational Studies in Psychology, Research Methodology, and Counseling, University of Alabama, 230A Graves Hall, Box 870231, Tuscaloosa, AL35487, USA
Emily A. Brinck
Affiliation:
Department of Education, Health & Behavior, University of North Dakota, 231 Centennial Drive, Stop 7189, Grand Forks, ND58202, USA
Rachel Friefeld Kesselmayer
Affiliation:
Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education, School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1000 Bascom Mall, Room 400, Madison, WI53706, USA
Brian N. Phillips
Affiliation:
Special Education and Rehabilitation, Utah State University, Education 300, Logan, UT, USA
David Geslak
Affiliation:
Autism Workforce, 702 West Burlington Ave., La Grange, IL60525, USA
David R. Strauser
Affiliation:
Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL’ 213A Huff Hall MC-588, 1206 South Fourth Street, Champaign, IL61820, USA
Fong Chan
Affiliation:
Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education, School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1000 Bascom Mall, Room 400, Madison, WI53706, USA
Timothy N. Tansey
Affiliation:
Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education, School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1000 Bascom Mall, Room 400, Madison, WI53706, USA
*
*Corresponding author. Email: tagrenawalt@ua.edu
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Abstract

In a global society experiencing an increasing shortage of qualified workers and the recognition that individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be effective employees, there is an uptick in private sector initiatives to address employment needs through the recruitment of workers with ASD. A case study methodology with consensual qualitative research analysis was used to gain a rich understanding of employment of people with ASD at a medium-sized clothier in collaboration with a service provider for people with ASD. Perceptions of implementation and effectiveness were collected. Results suggest the hiring of people with ASD was positively perceived by employees. Components of this success included changes to the physical work environment, diversity training specific to individuals with disabilities, and a company climate of engaging and supporting employees with ASD. This research suggests that the collaborative initiative may prove a meaningful model for other companies interested in employing people with ASD.

Keywords

autismrecruiting and trainingcollaborationmanaging diversityorganizational change
Type
Case Study
Information
Journal of Management & Organization , First View , pp. 1 - 16
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press and Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management 2020

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