Accommodation and Compliance Series: Employees with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Accommodation and Compliance Series:

Employees with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Job Accommodation Network

PO Box 6080

Morgantown, WV 26506-6080

(800)526-7234 (V)

(877)781-9403 (TTY)

jan@askjan.org

askjan.org

A service of the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy

Preface

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is a service of the Office of Disability Employment Policy of the U.S. Department of Labor. JAN makes documents available with the understanding that the information be used solely for educational purposes. The information is not intended to be legal or medical advice. If legal or medical advice is needed, appropriate legal or medical services should be contacted.

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Authored by Melanie Whetzel, M A. Updated 06/17/13.*

*Contributions incorporated from the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (see Resources for additional information).

JAN’S ACCOMMODATION AND COMPLIANCE SERIES

Introduction

JAN’s Accommodation and Compliance Series is designed to help employers determine effective accommodations and comply with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Each publication in the series addresses a specific medical condition and provides information about the condition, ADA information, accommodation ideas, and resources for additional information.

The Accommodation and Compliance Series is a starting point in the accommodation process and may not address every situation. Accommodations should be made on a case by case basis, considering each employee’s individual limitations and accommodation needs. Employers are encouraged to contact JAN to discuss specific situations in more detail.

For information on assistive technology and other accommodation ideas, visit JAN's Searchable Online Accommodation Resource (SOAR) at http://AskJAN.org/soar.

Information about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

What is ASD?

According to the most recent Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (DSM-5), ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts, including deficits in social reciprocity, nonverbal communicative behaviors used for social interaction, and skills in developing, maintaining, and understanding relationships. The diagnosis also requires the presence of restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities (DSM-5, 2013).

Recent revisions to the DSM combined several previously separate diagnoses, including autistic disorder, Asperger syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDDNOS) into one category called ASD. The diagnostic criterion for ASD defines a range of severity as well as describes the individual’s overall developmental status not only in social communication, but also in other relevant cognitive and motor behaviors. The revisions have been made with the hope that the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders will be more specific, reliable, and valid (Autism Research Institute, 2013).

What causes ASD?

There is no known single cause of ASD, but it is generally accepted that it is caused by abnormalities in brain structure or function. Researchers are investigating a number of theories, including the link between heredity, genetics, and medical problems. Other researchers are investigating problems during pregnancy or delivery as well as environmental factors, such as viral infections, metabolic imbalances, and exposure to environmental chemicals (Autism Society, 2013).

Does ASD require treatment?

No cure exists for ASD, but the goal of treatment is to maximize the individual’s ability to function by reducing symptoms and supporting development and learning. Each individual with ASD is unique, so each intervention plan should be tailored to address specific needs. Intervention can involve behavioral treatments, medicines, or both. No medication can improve the core symptoms of ASD, but certain medications can help control symptoms when individuals with ASD have other medical conditions. For example, antidepressants may be prescribed for anxiety and antiepileptic drugs may be used to control seizures. Addressing these conditions can improve attention, learning, and related behaviors (Mayo Clinic, 2013).

ASD and the Americans with Disabilities Act

Is ASD a disability under the ADA?

The ADA does not contain a list of medical conditions that constitute disabilities. Instead, the ADA has a general definition of disability that each person must meet on a case by case basis (EEOC Regulations . . . , 2011). A person has a disability if he/she has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having an impairment (EEOC Regulations . . . , 2011).

However, according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the individualized assessment of virtually all people with ASD will result in a determination of disability under the ADA; given its inherent nature, ASD will almost always be found to substantially limit the major life activity of brain function (EEOC Regulations . . . , 2011).

For more information about how to determine whether a person has a disability under the ADA, visit http://AskJAN.org/corner/vol05iss04.htm.

Accommodating Employees with ASD

(Note: People with ASD may experience some of the limitations discussed below, but seldom develop all of them. Also, the degree of limitation will vary among individuals. Be aware that not all people with ASD will need accommodations to perform their jobs and many others may only need a few accommodations. The following is only a sample of the possibilities available. Numerous other accommodation solutions may exist.)

Questions to Consider:

1. What limitations does the employee with ASD experience?

2. How do these limitations affect the employee’s job performance?

3. What specific job tasks are problematic as a result of these limitations?

4. What accommodations are available to reduce or eliminate these problems? Are all possible resources being used to determine accommodations?

5. Can the employee with Autism Spectrum Disorder provide information on possible accommodation solutions?

6. Once accommodations are in place, would it be useful to meet with the employee with Autism Spectrum Disorder to evaluate the effectiveness of the accommodations and to determine whether additional accommodations are needed?

7. Do supervisory personnel and employees need training regarding Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Accommodation Ideas:

Speaking/Communicating:

Individuals with ASD may have difficulty communicating with co-workers or supervisors.

• Provide advance notice of topics to be discussed in meetings to help facilitate communication
• Provide advance notice of date of meeting when employee is required to speak to reduce or eliminate anxiety
• Allow employee to provide written response in lieu of verbal response
• Allow employee to have a friend or coworker attend meeting to reduce or eliminate the feeling of intimidation
• Allow employee to bring an advocate to performance reviews and disciplinary meetings

Atypical Body Movements:

Individuals with ASD may exhibit atypical body movements such as fidgeting. Atypical body movements are sometimes called stimulatory behavior, or “stimming.” These body movements often help calm the person or assist in concentrating on tasks, but can also disturb coworkers at times.

• Provide structured breaks to create an outlet for physical activity
• Allow employee to use items such as hand-held squeeze balls and similar objects to provide sensory input or calming effect
• Allow the employee to work from home
• Schedule periodic rest breaks away from the workstation
• Review conduct policy with employee
• Provide private workspace where employee will have room to move about and not disturb others by movements such as fidgeting

Time Management:

Individuals with ASD may experience difficulty managing time. This limitation can affect their ability to complete tasks within a specified timeframe. It may also be difficult to prepare for, or to begin, work activities.

• Divide large assignments into several small tasks
• Set a timer to make an alarm after assigning ample time to complete a task
• Provide a checklist of assignments
• Supply an electronic or handheld organizer and train how to use effectively
• Use a wall calendar to emphasize due dates

Maintaining Concentration:

Individuals with ASD may experience decreased concentration and may not be able to tolerate distractions such as office traffic, employee chatter, and common office noises such as fax tones and photocopying.

• To reduce auditory distractions:
  • Purchase a noise canceling headset
  • Hang sound absorption panels
  • Provide a white noise machine
  • Relocate employee’s office space away from audible distractions
  • Redesign employee’s office space to minimize audible distractions
• To reduce visual distractions:
  • Install space enclosures (cubicle walls)
  • Reduce clutter in the employee's work environment
  • Redesign employee’s office space to minimize visual distractions
  • Relocate employee’s office space away from visual distractions
• To reduce tactile distractions:
  • Instruct other employees to approach the individual in a way that is not startling, such as approaching from behind, touching the employee, or other tactile interactions, if the employee is bothered by those interactions.

Organization and Prioritization:

Individuals with ASD may have difficulty getting or staying organized, or have difficulty prioritizing tasks at work. The employee may need assistance with skills required to prepare and execute complex behavior like planning, goal setting, and task completion.

• Develop color-code system for files, projects, or activities
• Use weekly chart to identify daily work activities
• Use the services of a professional organizer
• Use a job coach to teach/reinforce organization skills
• Assign a mentor to help employee
• Allow supervisor to prioritize tasks
• Assign new project only when previous project is complete
• Provide a “cheat sheet” of high-priority activities, projects, people, etc.

Memory:

Individuals with ASD may experience memory deficits that can affect their ability to complete tasks, remember job duties, or recall daily actions or activities. They also may have difficulty recognizing faces.

• Provide written instructions
• Allow additional training time for new tasks
• Offer training refreshers
• Prompt employee with verbal cues
• Use a flowchart to describe the steps involved in a complicated task (such as powering up a system, closing down the facility, logging into a computer, etc.)
• Provide pictorial cues
• Use post-it notes as reminders of important dates or tasks
• Safely and securely maintain paper lists of crucial information such as passwords
• Allow employee to use voice activated recorder to record verbal instructions
• Provide employee directory with pictures or use nametags and door/cubicle name markers to help employee remember coworkers’ faces and names
• Encourage employee to ask (or email) work-related questions

Multi-tasking:

Individuals with ASD may experience difficulty performing many tasks at one time. This difficulty could occur regardless of the similarity of tasks, the ease or complexity of the tasks, or the frequency of performing the tasks.

• Create a flow-chart of tasks that must be performed at he same time
• Separate tasks so that each one can be completed one at a time
• Label or color-code each task in sequential or preferential order
• Provide individualized/specialized training to help employee learn techniques for multi-tasking (e.g., typing on computer while talking on phone)
• Identify tasks that must be performed simultaneously and tasks that can be performed individually
• Provide specific feedback to help employee target areas of improvement
• Remove or reduce distractions from work area
• Supply proper working equipment to complete multiple tasks at one time, such as workstation and chair, lighting, and office supplies
• Explain performance standards such as completion time or accuracy rates

Issues of Change:

• Recognize that a change in the office environment, job tasks, or of supervisors may be difficult for a person with autism
• Maintain open channels of communication between the employee and the new and old supervisor in order to ensure an effective transition
• Provide weekly or monthly meetings with the employee to discuss workplace issues and productions levels

Stress Management:

Individuals with ASD may have difficulty managing stress in the workplace. Situations that create stress can vary from person to person, but could likely involve heavy workloads, unrealistic timeframes, shortened deadlines, or conflict among coworkers.

• Provide praise and positive reinforcement
• Refer to EAP
• Allow employee to make telephone calls for support
• Provide sensitivity training for workforce
• Allow the presence and use of a support animal
• Modify work schedule

Social Skills:

People with ASD may have difficulty exhibiting typical social skills on the job. This might manifest itself as interrupting others when working or talking, difficulty listening, not making eye contact when communicating, or difficulty interpreting typical body language or nonverbal innuendo. This can affect the person's ability to adhere to conduct standards, work effectively with supervisors, or interact with coworkers or customers.

• Social skills on the job:
  • Provide a job coach to help understand different social cues
  • Provide concrete examples of accepted behaviors and consequences for all employees
  • Recognize and reward acceptable behavior to reinforce
  • Review conduct policy with employee to reduce incidents of unacceptable behavior
  • Use training videos to demonstrate appropriate social skills in workplace
  • Encourage all employees to model appropriate social skills
  • Use role-play scenarios to demonstrate appropriate social skills in workplace
• Working effectively with supervisors:
  • Provide detailed day-to-day guidance and feedback
  • Offer positive reinforcement
  • Identify areas of improvement for employee in a fair and consistent manner
  • Provide clear expectations and the consequences of not meeting expectations
  • Give assignments verbally, in writing, or both, depending on what would be most beneficial to the employee (e.g., use of visual charts)
  • Assist employee in assigning priority to assignments
  • Assign projects in a systematic and predictable manner
  • Establish long term and short term goals for employee
  • Adjust supervisory method by modifying the manner in which conversations take place, meetings are conducted, or discipline is addressed
• Interacting with coworkers:
  • Provide sensitivity training to promote disability awareness
  • Allow employee to work from home when feasible
  • Help employee "learn the ropes" by providing a mentor
  • Make employee attendance at social functions optional
  • Allow employee to transfer to another workgroup, shift, or department
  • Encourage employees to minimize personal conversation or move personal conversation away from work areas
  • Provide telework, or work-at-home, as an accommodation
  • Allow alternative forms of communication between coworkers, such as e-mail, instant messaging, or text messaging

Sensory Issues:

Individuals with ASD may have difficulty with sensory processing and can experience oversensitivity to touch, sights, sounds, and smells in the workplace.

• Fragrance sensitivity:
  • Maintain good indoor air quality
  • Discontinue the use of fragranced products
  • Use only unscented cleaning products
  • Provide scent-free meeting rooms and restrooms
  • Modify workstation location
  • Modify the work schedule
  • Allow for fresh air breaks
  • Provide an air purification system
  • Modify or create a fragrance-free workplace policy
  • Allow telework
• Fluorescent light sensitivity:
  • Move employee to a private area to allow for personal adjustment to appropriate lighting
  • Change lighting completely
  • Allow telework
• Noise sensitivity:
  • Move employee to a more private area or away from high traffic areas
  • Move employee away from office machinery, equipment, and other background noises
  • Provide an environmental sound machine to help mask distracting sounds
  • Provide noise canceling headsets
  • Provide sound absorption panels
  • Encourage coworkers to keep non-work related conversation to a minimum
  • Allow telework

Company Structure, Conduct Policy, and Discipline:

Individuals with ASD may not be familiar with or understand abstract concepts like corporate structure, hierarchies of responsibility, reporting requirements, and other structural elements of the workplace.

• Explain corporate structure to employee, using visual charts and clear descriptions of positions and reporting structure. Do not assume that employee will understand structure from a simple chart of job titles
• Review conduct policy with employee
• Adjust method of supervision to better prepare employee for feedback, disciplinary action, and other communication about job performance
• Provide concrete examples to explain expected conduct
• Provide concrete examples to explain consequences of violating company policy
• Use services of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) if available

Situations and Solutions:

An employee with ASD works for a large marketing firm. Though knowledgeable in her field, she had difficulty participating in work activities with her team. JAN suggested job restructuring, which allowed her to work independently while providing information to her team electronically. This gave the employee the social distance she needed to be comfortable, yet also provided the team with information needed to move forward with marketing campaigns.

A new hire at a fast-food restaurant has ASD. He completed his new job tasks quickly and efficiently, but then remained idle until someone told him the next task to perform. The manager complained that the employee “just stands around” and “looks bored.” JAN suggested the use of a job coach to help learn the job and how to stay occupied during down time. JAN also suggested using a training DVD to help build workplace social skills.

An applicant with ASD applied for a research position with a chemical company. He has a verbal communication deficit, though can communicate through handwriting and by email. The employer wanted to provide accommodations during the first stage interview, which involved answering questions from a three-person search committee. JAN suggested providing the questions in advance and allowing the applicant to furnish written responses during the interview.

A professor with ASD had difficulty keeping daily office hours and experienced anxiety because the timing of students’ consultations was unpredictable. JAN suggested modifying the schedule as an accommodation, for example the professor could reduce the number of days he has office hours, but have more office hours on those days. JAN also suggested adjusting the method by which students obtain appointments, asking students to schedule at least one day in advance and when possible, allow the professor to conduct consultations electronically, by phone, or by instant messenger. In addition, JAN suggested documenting each student consultation to ease the professor’s anxiety about the meeting and to refresh his memory about previous meetings with the student.

Products:

There are numerous products that can be used to accommodate people with limitations. JAN's Searchable Online Accommodation Resource (SOAR) at http://AskJAN.org/soar is designed to let users explore various accommodation options. Many product vendor lists are accessible through this system; however, upon request JAN provides these lists and many more that are not available on the Web site. Contact JAN directly if you have specific accommodation situations, are looking for products, need vendor information, or are seeking a referral.

Resources

Job Accommodation Network
West Virginia University
PO Box 6080
Morgantown, WV 26506-6080
Toll Free: (800)526-7234
TTY: (877)781-9403
Fax: (304)293-5407
jan@askjan.org
http://AskJAN.org

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is a free consulting service that provides information about job accommodations, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the employability of people with disabilities.

Office of Disability Employment Policy
200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room S-1303
Washington, DC 20210
Direct: (202)693-7880
TTY: (877)889-5627
Fax: (202)693-7888
infoODEP@dol.gov
http://www.dol.gov/odep/

The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) is an agency within the U. S. Department of Labor. ODEP provides national leadership to increase employment opportunities for adults and youth with disabilities while striving to eliminate barriers to employment.

Autistic Self Advocacy Network
PO Box 66122
Washington, DC 20035
Direct: (202)596-1056
info@autisticadvocacy.org
http://www.autisticadvocacy.org/

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) seeks to advance the principles of the disability rights movement with regard to autism. Drawing on the principles of the cross-disability community, ASAN seeks to organize the community of Autistic adults and youth to have our voices heard in the national conversation about us. ASAN believes that the goal of autism advocacy should be a world in which Autistic people enjoy the same access, rights, and opportunities as all other citizens.

Autism Spectrum Disorder Training & Employment Partnership
303 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1003
New York, NY 10016
Direct: (212)839-0030
info@asperger-employment.org
http://asperger-employment.org

ASTEP’s goal is to bring together employers and vocational support professionals to create a successful workplace environment for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and high functioning autism (AS/HFA).

Autism Society of America
7910 Woodmont Avenue
Suite 300
Bethesda, MD 20814
Toll Free: (800)3AU-TISM
Phone: (301)657-0881
info@autism-society.org
http://www.autism-society.org

The Autism Society of America promotes lifelong access and opportunities for persons within the autism spectrum and their families to be fully included, participating members of their communities through advocacy, public awareness, education, and research.

Autism Speaks
1 East 33rd Street
4th Floor
New York, NY 10016
Toll Free: (888)288-4762
familyservices@autismspeaks.org
http://www.autismspeaks.org

Autism Speaks is dedicated to funding global biomedical research into the causes, prevention, treatments, and cure for autism.

Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation
info@djfiddlefoundation.org
http://www.djfiddlefoundation.org

The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation is a national organization focused on adults living with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The mission of the volunteer-run organization is to develop and fund The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Signature Programs that address critical needs and gaps in services and supports for the diverse population of adults living with ASD.

National Autism Association
20 Alice Agnew Drive
Attleboro Falls, MA 02763
Direct: (877)622-2884
Fax: (774)643-6331
http://nationalautismassociation.org

The mission of the National Autism Association is to educate and empower families affected by autism and other neurological disorders

Organization for Autism Research
2000 N. 14th Street, Suite 710
Arlington, VA 22201
Direct: (703)243-9710
http://www.researchautism.org

Organization for Autism Research (OAR) uses applied science to answer questions that parents, families, individual with autism, teachers, and caregivers confront daily.

Touch Point Autism Services
918 Bernadette Drive
Columbia, MO 65203
Toll Free: 800-675-4241
Local: 314-432-6200
admissions@lifeskills-mo.org
http://lifeskills-mo.org/default.aspx

Touch Point Autism Services offers treatment and training of individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and their families. Touch Point has provided effective training and treatment to thousands of families across the works. Touch Point has earned an international reputation as a leader in its field.

Unlocking Autism
PO Box 208
Tyrone, GA 30290
Toll Free: (866)366-3361
shelley.hendrix.ua@gmail.com
http://unlockingautism.org

Unlocking Autism is committed to educating teaching community leaders about autism.

References

American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth edition. Arlington, VA, American Psychiatric Association, 2013.

Autism Research Institute. (2013). Updates to the APA in DSM-V – What do the changes mean to families living with Autism? Retrieved June 11, 2013 from http://www.autism.com/index.php/news_dsmV

Autism Society. (2013). Causes. Retrieved June 11, 2013, from http://www.autism-society.org/about-autism/causes/

EEOC Regulations To Implement the Equal Employment Provisions of the Americans With Disabilities Act, as Amended, 29 C.F.R. § 1630 (2011).

Mayo Clinic. (2013). Autism. Retrieved June 11, 2013 from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/autism/DS00348

This document was developed by the Job Accommodation Network (JAN). Preparation of this item was funded by the Office of Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Department of Labor, Grant Number OD-23442-12-75-4-54. This document does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Office of Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Department of Labor, nor does the mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.