Why is there a need to support autistic people in the workplace?

The social model of disability helps explain why many workplace environments—shaped by neurotypical norms—can become overwhelming or isolating for autistic individuals. Culture, expectations, sensory input, and communication styles are often not designed with neurodivergent needs in mind. As a result, autistic individuals may find it difficult to thrive, not because of their abilities, but because of the barriers around them.

Autistic people experience and process the world differently. They communicate, think, and solve problems in ways that can bring fresh insight and unique value to a team. Yet, our systems and workplaces are still largely built for neurotypicals by neurotypicals, often overlooking these strengths.

It’s time we move beyond awareness and into true acceptance—an active commitment to understand, include, and honour autistic individuals in our workplaces. When we shift our focus from deficits to strengths, everyone benefits.

“Inclusion is not bringing people into what already exists, it is making a new space—a better space—for everyone.”
— George Dei

Inclusive design isn't just good for autistic employees—it’s good for business. Neurodivergent individuals often bring:

• Exceptional attention to detail

• Deep focus and pattern recognition

• Creative problem-solving

• Logical, structured thinking

By fostering environments that embrace these strengths, businesses can drive innovation, improve team culture, and enhance performance. This article outlines simple, actionable steps to begin creating a more inclusive workplace—and to build meaningful, lasting relationships with the autistic community.

Why do we need a whole month dedicated to Autism Acceptance?

Autism Acceptance Month serves as a vital opportunity to grow community awareness, deepen understanding, and take meaningful action toward inclusion. April 2nd—World Autism Awareness Day—was declared by the United Nations in 2008 as a global call to support autistic individuals and their families. Since then, the conversation has matured from awareness to acceptance.

This shift matters.

Awareness is passive—knowing someone is autistic.
Acceptance is active—welcoming, including, and valuing them.

“Awareness is knowing that somebody has Autism. Acceptance is when you include a person with autism in your activities.”
— Christopher Banks, CEO, Autism Society of America

Autism Acceptance Month is not just about wearing puzzle pieces or lighting up buildings. It's about:

• Challenging stereotypes

• Building inclusive systems

• Investing in community support

• Highlighting lived experience

• Raising funds for services and research

• Creating spaces where autistic people can thrive

During Autism Awareness Month – Why Should Businesses Get Involved?

Neurodiversity is a business asset. From attention to detail to hyperfocus, autistic individuals bring valuable traits to teams and projects. Just look at Satoshi Tajiri (creator of Pokémon) or Greta Thunberg (climate activist)—two powerful changemakers from the autistic community.

If your business wants to get involved this Autism Acceptance Month, here are a few simple but powerful actions you can take:

• Offer sensory-friendly spaces in-store or at events

• Launch a social media campaign to share education and stories

• Partner with local schools or organisations to provide work experience opportunities

• Train your team on inclusive communication and neurodiversity

• Donate to autism advocacy or service organisations

• Host a community event or fundraiser to promote understanding and visibility

Make a commitment to understanding neurodivergence and honouring autistic strengths in the workplace.

Understanding how Autistic individuals communicate, process and interact differently with the world around them and how it isn't the same for everyone is the catalyst for being able to support neurodivergent employees and identify individual needs, value uniqueness and honouring autistic strengths as no two autistic individuals are the same.

This could look like…

• Being able to identify sensory needs and when an individual needs a sensory break–and creating sensory-friendly areas that provide the individual with an opportunity to rest and reset. Such as areas free from fluorescent lighting, loud noise, crowds and strong smells.

• Allocating a mentor to provide guidance and understanding of workplace culture.

• Setting clear workplace expectations and providing an individual with structure or flexible work hours that reflect times when the individual is most productive.

• Making a commitment to providing clear and direct communication.

Engaging in Workplace training and awareness

Neurodiversity workplace training and awareness is essential in enabling individuals to understand differences and ways managers and employees can structure their businesses to best support their neurodivergent co-workers and foster inclusivity in the workplace.

AV offers workplace training programs called ‘Understanding Autism in the Workplace’ — this program is designed to help employers and employees build a more inclusive, supportive work environment. Offering comprehensive and customisable training for both managers and teams to build understanding and collaboration across the entire workforce. 

For more information on this visit https://aspergersvic.org.au/Employer-Training

Partnering with Autistic-Led organisations for services or programs

Autism Awareness Month serves as an important opportunity to partner with autistic-led organisations for services and programs and foster meaningful connections and inclusive events, services and workshops that empower the autistic community while raising awareness. Some examples of this could include;

• Partnering with autistic-led organisations to host sensory-friendly events.

• Autism advocacy and awareness campaigns. 

• Market events showcasing autistic artists' work.

• Adopting inclusive employment and hiring processes that autistic organisations advocate for (see below!).

Give Autistic Individuals a Fair Go – Fostering Inclusive Hiring and Employment

Current hiring structures often create unnecessary barriers that prevent autistic individuals from showcasing their true strengths. With an unemployment rate of 31.6% among autistic Australians of working age—almost six times higher than that of people without disability—it's clear that change is not just overdue, it’s essential.

To bridge this gap, businesses can take practical steps to reshape their recruitment processes and workplace culture:

• Adopt a strengths-based perspective – Focus on an individual’s capabilities, not their perceived differences. Many traits dismissed as weaknesses in one setting can be powerful assets when nurtured in the right environment.

• Provide clarity and structure – Set clear expectations, define responsibilities, and offer a transparent outline of role requirements.

• Give a “day in the life” snapshot – Help candidates visualise what the job actually entails, reducing ambiguity and setting them up for success.

• Replace interviews with skill-based assessments or work trials – Offer opportunities for applicants to demonstrate their abilities in real-world scenarios, rather than relying on traditional interviews that may favour certain communication styles.

What This Could Look Like for Product-Based Businesses

Retail stores, e-commerce operations, and manufacturing businesses are uniquely positioned to lead by example—especially during Autism Awareness Month. By championing inclusion, they not only support their communities but also access a pool of capable, loyal, and talented individuals.

Ways product-based businesses can make a difference:

• Create sensory-friendly products or environments – Small changes in design or layout can make a big difference for accessibility.

• Share educational content – Use your platform to raise awareness through social media campaigns, newsletters, or in-store signage.

• Partner with schools and advocacy organisations – Collaborate to provide pathways for learning, work experience, or employment.

• Donate or co-create with autism advocacy groups – Support initiatives that align with your values and community impact goals.

• Train staff in neurodiversity inclusion – Equip your team to work confidently and respectfully alongside autistic peers and customers.

• Host inclusive events or fundraisers – Use your business as a vehicle for education, engagement, and positive change.

How can Schools and Educational Institutions engage with Autism awareness month?

Schools should participate in the month as they foster students during the most important developmental periods of their lives, this can be an important opportunity to celebrate inclusion and diversity, foster understanding and acceptance of Autism, and foster a school environment where every child feels valued, supported and included.

This can look like...

• Implementing neurodiversity-inclusive lesson plans into the curriculum: Developing and implementing lesson plans that include age-specific information about neurodiversity and autism, fostering acceptance and educating students on the value of differences and inclusion. The National Autistic Society UK has some good resources for this. (https://www.autism.org.uk/what-we-do/acceptance-and-awareness/world-autism-acceptance-month/at-school)

• Empowering student advocacy by encouraging student-led initiatives or projects: Empowering students to become advocates for autism acceptance and inclusion by providing opportunities for them to lead discussions, organise awareness campaigns, or participate in community events related to Autism Acceptance Month.

• Creating safe spaces and accommodations for autistic students and support systems: Ensuring classrooms are accessible to neurodivergent students with sensory and accessibility differences and implementing accommodations and modifications where needed that could include designated quiet spaces, sensory-friendly materials, and visual daily schedules.

• Encourage parent and family involvement: Involve parents and families in celebrating the month by hosting workshops or informational sessions where families can learn more about autism and share their experiences.

What are some ways corporate, or government insitutions can interact?

The Australian Government Department of Social Services has implemented a National Autism Strategy, a national approach to services and support for autistic people and their families. The strategy sets out a vision for a safe and inclusive society for autistic people. It focuses on actions aimed to enable change in areas such as; social and economic inclusion, diagnosis, services and support as well as health (including mental health) via the ‘National Roadmap’ to improve the health and mental health of autistic people. 

It is essential that governments at local, state or federal levels ensure they are promoting and supporting the strategy by additionally implementing and improving inclusion policy and commitment to workplace changes. Autism awareness month allows for lived experience voices to be prioritised and amplified in the community and should be broadcasted as such. 

For more information - Download our Inclusion in the workplace posters for your workplace

Being Neuro-Inclusive- A Guide for Employers and Colleagues for supporting Neurodiverse Employees

Autism Acceptance Month Is Just the Beginning

While April serves as a catalyst for change, true inclusion must extend beyond just one month. Businesses, schools, and community organisations have a role to play in creating environments where neurodiversity is celebrated every day.

Through education, policy change, meaningful action, and continued advocacy, we can build a society that values everyone’s way of thinking.

How can you get involved?

• Become an AV member to keep in contact and receive our newsletter. Become a member at AV

• Have a workplace inclusion session / find out more. Understanding Autism in the Workplace Workshops

• Donate to AV and other Autistic-led organisations to strengthen the support Autistic-led organisations are able to provide Donate

• Extend your autism acceptance past acceptance month- encourage inclusion and engage in advocacy in day to day life (creating a neurodivergent friendly workplace extends beyond creating an inclusive workplace for those with neurodivergence and includes creating an inclusive workplace for all).

• Support local events and boost awareness share AV events within your community. 

• Engage in the ongoing education of self and others start here. Understanding Neurodiversity

• Sharing autism acceptance information on social media.

• Get involved and volunteer! Volunteer

• Think you have expertise to share? become a job coach at AV. Our Coaching Offer

References: 

https://reframingautism.org.au/advocating-for-autistic-needs-in-the-workplace-is-still-harder-than-it-should-be-challenging-the-status-quo-to-achieve-a-neuroinclusive-workplace/

https://pwd.org.au/resources/models-of-disability/

https://napacentre.com.au/autism-acceptance-month/

https://www.amaze.org.au/creating-change/research/employment/

https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Autism/autism/Report/section?id=committees%2Freportsen%2F024412%2F77450

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2020.101571

https://www.autism.org.uk/what-we-do/acceptance-and-awareness/world-autism-acceptance-month/at-school

https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/autism-australia-2022#:~:text=Autism%20and%20work,-Participation%20in%20the&text=This%20is%20compared%20with%2060.5,%25%20were%20employed%20part%2Dtime.