How Do Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder Participate in the Labor Market? A German Multi-center Survey

Maslahati, Tolou; Bachmann, Christian; Höfer, Juliana; Küpper, Charlotte; Stroth, Sanna; Wolff, Nicole; Poustka, Luise; Roessner, Veit; Kamp‐Becker, Inge; Hoffmann, Falk; Röepke, Stefan

doi:10.1007/s10803-021-05008-6

Cited by 13 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…For the first time, the German general population was included in the current study as a control group and was quantitatively compared with occupational qualifications and unemployment rates in a large clinical sample of late-diagnosed individuals with ASD without intellectual disabilities. The current study corroborates findings of Maslahati and colleagues [ 21 ] of an imbalance of increased educational levels as well as increased unemployment rates in adults with ASD with and without intellectual disabilities compared to the general population of Germany. The occupational status of individuals attending the adult autism outpatient clinic was assessed at the beginning of the diagnostic process; all individuals were without experiences of ASD-specific professional support service.…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…50.4% university entrance-level qualifications (general population: 32.5%) and 21.6% graduate university (general population: 17.9%), does not protect from higher risk of unemployment. Previous studies in Germany with samples of late-diagnosed adults with ASD reported comparable results [ 19 – 21 ]. However, these studies examined smaller samples of individuals diagnosed with ASD according to ICD-10.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 62%

“…Our results were comparable to those in a previous German study by Frank and colleagues [ 20 ] with 43.1% who also included late-diagnosed adults with ASD without intellectual disabilities. Maslahati and colleagues [ 21 ] reported lower values (33%), which might be due to the broader sample of individuals with and without intellectual disabilities. Impairments in social skills as well as inflexible routines and ritualistic behavior might hinder the transition to successful employment with increased expectations for social skills, especially in adulthood [ 1 , 9 , 22 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Similar previous studies either solely studied the influence of special interests on occupational success [ 18 ] or on the classification of occupation [ 20 ]. The comparison of an ASD sample with the general German population by Maslahati [ 21 ] was extended by quantitative approximation between groups. The survey period of our study—2014–2019—follows previous research (2009–2011 by Riedel et al [ 19 ]; 2009–2014 by Frank et al [ 20 ]; sampling period was not provided by Kirchner and Dziobek [ 18 ]).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Alarmingly large unemployment gap despite of above-average education in adults with ASD without intellectual disability in Germany: a cross-sectional study

Espelöer

Proft

Falter‐Wagner

et al. 2022

Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci

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For individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), both getting access to as well as staying in the labor market are very challenging. However, the detailed educational, vocational, and employment characteristics of persons with ASD without intellectual disabilities are not yet studied. We conducted a retrospective study on a sample of 232 clinically late-diagnosed adults with ASD without intellectual disabilities. Data were compared to the general German population obtained from the public database of the German Federal Employment Agency. Results showed that the majority of persons with ASD graduated from high school and obtained a university entrance qualification (ASD: 50.4%; general population: 32.5%). Also, lower rates of basic secondary education were found in the ASD sample (ASD: 16.5%, general population: 29.6%). Significantly less individuals with ASD completed vocational training (40.1%) in comparison to the German population (56.3%). Despite the above-average level of education, the unemployment rate of the sample substantially exceeds that of the general population by the factor 5 (ASD: 25.2%; general population: 5.2%). Periods of unwanted unemployment of persons with ASD lasted on average 23 months with interpersonal problems being the main reason for contract termination. A higher level of educational qualification does not protect against a higher risk of unemployment for individuals with ASD presumably due to autism-specific interpersonal difficulties. Data emphasize the necessity to develop and spread both specific employment support activities for individuals with ASD as well as adequate awareness raising strategies. Funded by a public grant of the “Landschaftsverband Rheinland (LVR)”.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 62%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Alarmingly large unemployment gap despite of above-average education in adults with ASD without intellectual disability in Germany: a cross-sectional study

Espelöer

Proft

Falter‐Wagner

et al. 2022

Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci

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“…Nevertheless, intellectual demands must not lose relevance (Baldwin et al, 2014; Müller et al, 2003). Hence, alarmingly increased unemployment rates of up to five‐fold higher compared to the general population (Espelöer et al, 2022; Maslahati et al, 2022) or underemployment paired with over‐education in individuals with ASD without intellectual disabilities are the results (Baldwin et al, 2014; Frank et al, 2018; Hurlbutt & Chalmers, 2004; Maslahati et al, 2022; Riedel et al, 2016). Roux et al (2013) described lower wages for individuals with ASD compared to individuals with learning or language difficulties or other mental health problems.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

What is specific about employment status, workplace experiences and requirements in individuals with autism in Germany?

Espelöer,

Proft,

Kemmer

et al. 2023

Autism Research

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The challenge of sustainably integrating highly educated individuals with ASD without intellectual disabilities in the first labor market is repeatedly described in literature. In a retrospective study, a group of 197 clinically late-diagnosed adults with ASD without intellectual disabilities was compared to a closely matched group of 501 individuals who did not meet the criteria for the diagnosis of ASD within a utilization population of the Cologne Autism Outpatient Clinic. Results indicated that the pronounced demand for reduction of social and interpersonal requirements at the workplace (including planned or limited contact with colleagues and customers) as well as the experience of difficulties following unexpected changes in the daily routine were specific for ASD. In addition, individuals with ASD reported greater difficulties in finding a suitable job and being able to live on their wages, taking age and educational qualification into account. Supported employment measures were provided significantly more frequently to individuals in the ASD group. In conclusion, impairments in social skills emerged as one of the main obstacles of workplace performance for individuals with ASD emphasizing the necessity to develop and apply ASD-specific support services. Lay SummaryIndividuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) without intellectual disabilities show high unemployment rates despite high level of education. In order to achieve a cooperative interaction between people with and without autism, barriers that people with autism face in their working life should be spelled out. We studied 698 persons who visited the Adult Autism Outpatient Clinic, in 197 the diagnosis was confirmed, in 501 cases the diagnosis was not confirmed. Results indicated that, while all individuals in the sample had requirements for adjustment of the working environment, individuals with ASD reported a specific need for reduction of social and interpersonal requirements and for structured daily routines at work. Further, individuals with ASD reported difficulties in finding a suitable employment with sufficient salary also influenced by age and school education. In addition, individuals with ASD in the tested sample were more often supported by sheltered training measures ('supported employment'). In conclusion, difficulties in dealing with social skills demands were one of the main factors challenging CF and KV should be considered joint last authors.

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A repeated cross‐sectional study of daily activities of autistic adults

Bury,

Hedley,

Uljarević

et al. 2024

Autism Research

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It is crucial to arrive at a comprehensive understanding of the types of daily activities autistic adults typically engage in. However, previous research has almost exclusively focused on vocational or education activities. Further, it remains unclear how and whether specific daily activities participation rates change proportionally over time, vary by gender, or compare to nationally representative data. Utilizing eight annual data waves from the Netherlands Autism Register (NAR) this study aims to bridge this gap. Participants were 2449 autistic adults who indicated their participation in 18 daily activities. Results suggest that autistic adults engaged most frequently in vocational activities (e.g., paid employment, study) and participation rates were stable over time. Participation rates in non‐vocational activities (e.g., hobbies, homemaking) fluctuated proportionally over time, with reports of no structured daytime activities reducing over time. Labor force participation amongst NAR participants was significantly lower than Dutch population data for the same time periods. Unemployment rates fluctuated, and were significantly higher than population data, but not for all time points. Females compared to males were overrepresented in unpaid daily activities (e.g., study, volunteer, housemaker) and work incapacitation, and underrepresented in paid employment. Employment differences in gender corresponded to national data. These findings characterize more clearly the daily activities of autistic adults, and highlights areas where support may have greater impact (e.g., females in employment).

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How Do Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder Participate in the Labor Market? A German Multi-center Survey

Cited by 13 publications

References 61 publications

Alarmingly large unemployment gap despite of above-average education in adults with ASD without intellectual disability in Germany: a cross-sectional study

Alarmingly large unemployment gap despite of above-average education in adults with ASD without intellectual disability in Germany: a cross-sectional study

What is specific about employment status, workplace experiences and requirements in individuals with autism in Germany?

A repeated cross‐sectional study of daily activities of autistic adults

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