Sonia Chand Sonia Chand

Jobs for People with Autism

Table of Contents

Intro

Employment Challenges for Autistic Adults

The Strengths of Autistic Individuals in the Workplace

Evidence Backed Job Roles That Suit Many Autistic Adults

Company Models That Support Neurodivergent Employment

Challenges and Considerations

Conclusion

Sources

Best Jobs for People with Autism

There is a big employment gap for autistic adults, and it is something we need to talk about. Research shows that many autistic people want to work, but only a small percentage actually find jobs. In some studies, fewer than half of autistic adults are in any form of paid employment. This makes life harder for them and also means the world is missing out on the unique strengths they bring.

The goal of this post is to highlight Jobs for people with autism and show evidence backed job paths that match the strengths of autistic individuals. We will also look at what research says about their work experience, what helps them succeed, and why some jobs fit better than others.

This topic matters because finding the right job can change everything. When a job matches a person’s strengths, it improves their confidence, job satisfaction, and long term success. For many autistic adults, the right job is not only possible. It is life changing.

So let us explore real, research supported jobs for a person with autism and how we can build workplaces where they can thrive.

Employment Challenges for Autistic Adults

When we talk about jobs for a person with autism, it is important to understand why many autistic adults still struggle to find and keep work. Research shows that a large number of autistic adults are unemployed or underemployed even when they have strong skills that many workplaces need.

One big reason is social expectations at work. Many jobs require a lot of social interaction, quick communication, or reading social cues. These demands can be stressful and make it harder for an autistic person to fully show their strengths.

Another challenge is the work environment. Many workplaces are not designed with neurodivergent people in mind. Bright lights, noise, unclear instructions, sudden changes, and fast paced teamwork can make the job harder. Research from PubMed studies shows that these environmental barriers affect job performance and overall well being.

Executive functioning is another area that plays a role. This includes things like planning, multitasking, time management, and switching between tasks. When these skills are challenged, it can affect how long someone stays in a job, even when they are capable and talented.

But the good news is that research also highlights what helps autistic adults succeed at work. Social support at work is a major factor. When managers and coworkers understand neurodiversity, communication becomes easier and the work feels more comfortable.

Another important factor is person environment fit. This happens when the job matches the person’s strengths, preferences, and natural way of working. When the role aligns with who they are, it becomes one of the good jobs for people with autism or even one of the best jobs for someone with autism.

Structured support also makes a big difference. Training programs, job coaches, autism aware employers, and clear guidelines help autistic workers feel confident and supported. This increases job satisfaction and makes it more likely for them to stay long term.

Understanding these challenges and supports helps us see why the right job match truly matters for autistic adults.

The Strengths of Autistic Individuals in the Workplace

When we talk about jobs for person with autism, good jobs for people with autism, or the best jobs for someone with autism, it is important to understand what they naturally do well. This helps create a better job fit and leads to higher performance and satisfaction.

Here are some of the most common strengths reported in studies:

Strong Focus and Attention to Detail

Many autistic individuals are able to concentrate deeply on tasks. They notice small details that others often miss. This can be very helpful in roles like data analysis, software testing, quality control, research, and editing.

Excellent Memory and Pattern Recognition

Research shows that autistic adults often have strong long term memory and the ability to see patterns quickly. This can be valuable in jobs that involve coding, numbers, analysis, design, and any task that needs quick recognition of errors or changes.

High Efficiency, Strong Dedication, and Honesty

Many autistic individuals work with a clear sense of fairness and commitment. They stay focused, avoid unnecessary distractions, and often produce high quality work. Employers value this because it leads to consistency and trust.

Unique Perspectives and Autism Specific Ways of Thinking

Autistic adults often think differently, and this difference is a strength. They can bring fresh ideas, new problem solving styles, and creative approaches to tasks. This can be useful in technology, design, research, engineering, and creative fields.

Why These Strengths Matter for Job Roles

When a job matches these natural strengths, the individual is more satisfied, more confident, and more likely to stay in the role long term. This is why understanding strengths is key when choosing good jobs for people with autism or deciding the best jobs for someone with autism.

Evidence Backed Job Roles That Suit Many Autistic Adults

Research shows that many autistic adults do well in jobs that match their strengths. These strengths often include focus, routine, pattern recognition, honest communication, and the ability to work deeply on tasks. Because of this, there are several careers for people with high functioning autism that stand out. 

Below are some of the most common evidence based roles, supported by studies and real world examples. These are also great jobs for autistic adults who want stable and meaningful work.

Technology and Software Engineering

There is strong evidence that autistic adults perform very well in tech roles. Jobs in software development, software testing, cybersecurity, and data analysis match common autistic strengths like attention to detail, logical thinking, and long periods of focus.

Research on inclusive pathways in tech shows that autistic individuals often excel when tasks are structured and logic based. Companies like Auticon are real examples of this. They hire autistic adults as IT consultants and software testers because these strengths often lead to high quality work.

These tech roles are some of the most recommended careers for people with high functioning autism because they offer predictable routines, problem solving tasks, and clear expectations.

Research and Laboratory Work

Jobs like lab technician, research assistant, or quality control technician are also great jobs for autistic adults. These roles involve structured tasks, clear procedures, and repetitive processes that many autistic individuals find comfortable and manageable.

Some research also notes that laboratory environments can be improved with simple adjustments, such as better lighting, quieter spaces, and clearer communication. When these supports are in place, autistic workers often thrive.

Library, Archival, and Information Management

Roles such as librarian, archivist, or data cataloger are a good fit for people who enjoy organizing information and working in calm spaces. These jobs match strengths like strong memory, pattern recognition, and a love for structured tasks.

Psych Central also highlights these roles as good jobs for autistic adults because library and archive environments are usually quiet, predictable, and supportive of focused work.

Creative and Digital Arts

Many autistic adults are very talented in creative fields. Jobs in animation, graphic design, illustration, video editing, and VFX blend creativity with repetition and pattern based work. These roles also allow people to work independently, which benefits many autistic individuals.

An example is Exceptional Minds, a vocational program and professional studio built specifically for autistic adults interested in digital arts. Graduates work in animation and visual effects for major studios.

These roles are good careers for people with high functioning autism who enjoy visual creativity and digital tools.

Animal Care Jobs

Working with animals is a strong fit for someone who prefers hands on tasks and limited social pressure. Jobs like animal care specialist, groomer, dog trainer assistant, or veterinary assistant provide routine based work that feels meaningful and predictable.

These roles suit autistic adults who enjoy working calmly and consistently, especially in environments that involve clear schedules and physical tasks.

Accounting and Skilled Trades

Accounting roles like bookkeeper or accounting technician work well because they involve rules, structure, and detail heavy tasks. Many autistic adults excel when the job requires accuracy and routine.

Skilled trades like mechanic, electrician, and carpenter can also be good jobs for autistic adults. These roles use visual spatial skills, problem solving, and hands on learning. With the right training support, many autistic adults build successful careers in these fields.

Company Models That Support Neurodivergent Employment

Some companies are already creating strong and effective systems that support autistic adults in the workplace. These companies understand neurodivergent strengths and design roles that help people succeed.

Specialisterne

Specialisterne is a global company that builds its business around the strengths of neurodivergent people. They hire autistic adults for roles in quality control, software testing, logistics, and other detail focused tasks. Their goal is to create an environment where autistic talent is not only included but fully valued.

Auticon

Auticon is an IT consulting firm that employs mostly autistic adults. They focus on roles like software testing, data analysis, and quality assurance. Auticon provides structured support, coaching, and a work culture that reduces social pressure. This model allows autistic employees to use their strengths in focus, logic, and precision.

Exceptional Minds

Exceptional Minds is a non profit animation studio and training academy for autistic adults. They train people in digital arts, animation, visual effects, and professional editing. Many graduates go on to work in major studios or build freelance careers in creative industries. This model proves that autistic adults can thrive in both technical and creative fields when given the right support.

Challenges and Considerations

When we talk about jobs for autistic adults, it is important to remember that autism is not the same for everyone. There is no one size fits all situation. What works perfectly for one person may not work for another at all. This is why finding the right job or work environment takes patience, support, and the right information.

Another challenge is the high rate of unemployment and underemployment among autistic adults. Many people with strong skills and great potential are still struggling to find meaningful work. Research keeps showing that this gap exists for many reasons, and most of them come from the environment and not the person.

A lot of workplaces are still not designed with neurodivergent people in mind. This includes noisy spaces, unclear

Conclusion

Many autistic individuals have strengths that can make them stand out in the workplace. In fact, when these strengths are matched with the right job roles, autistic adults can do very well and feel more satisfied at work

This is a good time for employers to look at their hiring practices and create workplaces that welcome neurodivergent talent. Small changes like clearer expectations, better communication, and flexible structures can make a big difference. Autistic adults are also encouraged to explore strength based careers, look for supportive environments, and use programs that help them connect with the right opportunities.

With the right support, autistic adults can not only find jobs but thrive in meaningful and fulfilling careers. Everyone deserves a workplace where they can grow, contribute, and feel valued.

If you want to learn more about how to support autistic people in real life settings, make sure you get Sonia’s book. It is a helpful guide for families, educators, and employers who want to understand autism better and create real change.

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Navigating Life as a Multiracial Autistic Adult

Table of Contents

Intro

The Intersection of Being Multiracial and Autistic

Growing Up Undiagnosed: Late Diagnosis and Self Discovery

Identity, Authenticity and the Power of Support

Challenges Multiracial Autistic Adults Face

Conclusion

Navigating Life as a Multiracial Autistic Adult

Autism shows up differently for everyone, but the experience becomes even more layered for people who are both multiracial and autistic. Their journey often includes questions about belonging, identity and how the world responds to them. Many navigate cultural expectations while also managing the social and sensory differences that come with being on the spectrum, which can make their story very different from what most people imagine when they think about autism.

This is why conversations like the one with Dr. Angel Durr matter so much. Dr. Durr is a researcher, educator and advocate whose work focuses on data equity and social systems, and she brings a powerful personal perspective as a multiracial autistic woman. Her insight is rare because she speaks from both lived experience and academic expertise. She understands how race, culture and neurodiversity overlap in ways that are often overlooked in traditional discussions about autism.

In this episode, she opens up about identity, late discovery and the journey of understanding herself more fully. She guides listeners through the challenges and strengths that come with holding more than one marginalized identity. Her story shines a light on what it truly means to navigate life at the intersection of race and neurodiversity, and why representation matters for everyone on the spectrum.

The Intersection of Being Multiracial and Autistic

Being multiracial often comes with its own set of questions and complexities. Many multiracial individuals grow up moving between cultures, traditions and expectations, sometimes feeling like they are balancing multiple identities at once. There can be moments of connection and pride, but also moments when they feel unsure of where they fit, or how others see them.

When you combine this experience with autism, the story becomes even more layered. A multiracial autistic person is not only navigating cultural differences, but also the neurological differences that shape how they communicate, process emotions and interact with the world. This can create a double sense of difference.

They may feel culturally different because they do not fully match any single racial group. At the same time, they may feel neurologically different because of the social and sensory traits that come with being on the spectrum. Moving through these two worlds often means learning different sets of rules, expectations and social cues. It can be exhausting, but it can also lead to a deep understanding of identity and resilience.

Many people in this position talk about the experience of not fitting neatly into one box, whether that box is racial identity or neurotypical behavior. Instead, they learn to create their own space and define who they are on their own terms.

The podcast dives deeper into how Dr. Durr navigated these dual identities growing up. Listen here to learn more.

Growing Up Undiagnosed: Late Diagnosis and Self Discovery

Dr. Angel Durr’s journey with autism did not begin with early intervention or a childhood diagnosis. Instead, she spent many years moving through school, relationships and work without knowing she was autistic. Like many women and people of color, her traits were overlooked, misunderstood or labeled as something else. This led her to grow up without a clear explanation for why certain things felt harder, more draining or more confusing than they seemed to be for everyone else.

For years, she became an expert at masking. Masking is the act of hiding or suppressing autistic traits in order to fit in. She learned to study people, copy their behavior and adjust her reactions so she would blend into social settings. Although masking helped her avoid judgment, it came with a heavy cost. It often left her exhausted and unsure of who she really was beneath the performance.

Social expectations also brought a lot of confusion. Dr. Durr talks about moments when she did not understand why people reacted the way they did, or why certain interactions felt awkward or overwhelming. Without a diagnosis, she often blamed herself or tried harder to force behaviors that did not feel natural.

On top of that, she dealt with sensory challenges without having the language to describe them. Bright lights, loud environments or unexpected changes could send her into distress, but she pushed through because she thought she simply had to manage it. Not knowing the root cause made everything feel more isolating.

Everything began to make sense once she received her diagnosis as an adult. It was a turning point that brought clarity, relief and a deeper level of self compassion. Instead of asking what was wrong with her, she started to understand how her brain worked. The diagnosis helped her reclaim parts of herself she had hidden away and allowed her to build a life that supported her needs rather than fighting against them.

Her story of self discovery is powerful. You can hear the full conversation on the podcast.

Identity, Authenticity and the Power of Support

As Dr. Angel Durr grew into adulthood, she began to embrace the full picture of who she was: both her racial identity and her autistic identity. Instead of choosing one over the other or hiding parts of herself to make others comfortable, she learned to stand in her truth. This shift took time, but it allowed her to connect more deeply with her own experiences and build a stronger sense of self.

Authenticity became a major part of her healing. When someone spends years masking or trying to fit into roles that do not reflect who they are, it takes a toll on their mental health. Dr. Durr explains that embracing her identity brought a sense of relief and belonging she had not felt before. It helped her form healthier relationships and surround herself with people who accepted her without conditions.

Her journey also showed her how important culturally aware professionals are. Many autistic individuals of color struggle to get accurate assessments because some providers do not understand how culture, race and neurodivergence can intersect. When professionals do not consider these layers, signs of autism can be missed or misread. Culturally informed support allows people to be seen more clearly and treated with respect.

Supportive environments also make a significant difference. This means workplaces, schools and communities that create space for sensory needs, communication differences and cultural identity. When people feel safe to be themselves, they are more likely to thrive.

Representation within autism narratives is another point she highlights. Many stories about autism focus on a narrow group, often leaving out women, people of color and multiracial individuals. This lack of representation can make people feel invisible or misunderstood. Dr. Durr’s story pushes back against that silence and reminds others that their experiences matter too.

Most importantly, she reinforces that support is not about fixing autistic traits. It is about helping people grow, succeed and live in alignment with who they are. Support should empower rather than erase differences.

Challenges Multiracial Autistic Adults Face

Multiracial autistic adults often navigate a unique set of challenges that are not widely discussed. Dr. Angel Durr highlights how these experiences can shape a person’s sense of identity, belonging and emotional wellbeing. Her story offers a clear window into what it feels like to live at the intersection of race and neurodiversity.

One major challenge is dealing with racial stereotypes while also managing communication differences associated with autism. For example, Dr. Durr shares that people sometimes misinterpreted her quietness or need for space as an attitude problem or a cultural trait, instead of recognizing these reactions as part of her neurodivergent experience. These incorrect assumptions added a layer of pressure, because she felt she had to avoid reinforcing any stereotypes about her racial background.

Another challenge is the lack of representation in autism research and public conversations. Many stories center on white males, which leaves women and people of color feeling as if their experiences do not fit the typical autism narrative. Dr. Durr explains that growing up, she almost never saw autistic individuals who looked like her, which made it harder to imagine that autism could be part of her story.

Dr. Durr also talks about how difficult it can be to access a culturally responsive diagnosis. Some professionals are not trained to understand how autism traits can appear differently across cultures. As a result, behaviors may be dismissed, misinterpreted or attributed to culture instead of neurodiversity. This was part of the reason her autism was missed for so long.

Masking adds another emotional strain. Multiracial autistic adults may feel they have to hide parts of themselves to avoid judgment about their race and also hide autistic traits to meet social expectations. Dr. Durr describes how this double masking left her exhausted and disconnected from her true self.

Finally, many multiracial autistic adults feel unseen or misunderstood within both communities. They may feel too autistic to fully fit into their racial groups, yet too culturally different to feel understood in neurodivergent spaces. Dr. Durr explains that she often felt like she was standing between worlds, not fully accepted by either.

Her experiences show why inclusive conversations about race and neurodiversity are so important. Her story opens the door for others who share these challenges to know they are not alone.

Conclusion

Sharing stories like Dr. Angel Durr’s is essential because they shine a light on experiences that are often overlooked. Her journey illustrates the complexities of navigating life as both multiracial and autistic, and it encourages others to embrace their full identities without compromise.

Her story reminds us that understanding oneself and accepting every part of who we are—culturally, racially and neurologically, can be a source of strength and empowerment. By embracing authenticity, individuals can find a sense of belonging and create spaces where they can truly thrive.

Celebrating neurodiversity across cultures not only benefits those directly affected but also enriches communities, schools and workplaces. It teaches us to value difference as a source of perspective, creativity and resilience.

To hear Dr. Angel Durr’s inspiring story firsthand, tune in to the full podcast episode here.

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