Autistic College Graduates: Experiences Finding Work and Being Employed

Research about autism in the workplace can be scarce. This is especially true when it comes to autistics who are on the higher end of the spectrum. What research does exist points to the fact that this population has many positive qualities that they can bring to the workplace. However, research points to the fact that these individuals have many challenges as well, including low rates of employment amongst this population. This lack of employment also occurs for autistic college graduates. However, college career and disability services may be a way of helping autistic students prepare for the work environment before graduating. For this reason, this thesis sought to examine what job preparedness programs were available to college students while they were in college. It also sought to examine how much collaboration occurs between career and disability services departments on college campuses. This thesis also examined the experiences and opinions of autistic college graduates in the workforce. Finally, it gathered data on the experiences of autistic college graduates when it came to what services in college to helped them prepare for this part of their life before graduating. In order to do this, a qualitative triangulated approach was used. The results of this research pointed to the fact that in general college graduates feel that there is not any available services at college to help them prepare for a career. The research points to the fact that college advisors would also like more collaboration between departments in higher education.