Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) refers to a broad band of identity that all autistic people share.Similar to a scatter graph, the 'Autism Spectrum' represents the infinite, unique, complex, and often fluctuating, identities and experiences of autistic people.
The Spectrum does not go from least to most autistic or low to high functioning.
Autistic people make up a large proportion of our population yet they are often missed out of employment in the hospitality sector.
Why?
Some autistic people have a different way of understanding feelings and emotions, they can also have a heightened sensitivity to stimuli. Hospitality, being a people focused and often noisy trade, has led employees to believe it is not a suitable environment for those of the Autism Spectrum.
However, Autistic people have an abundance of gifts which can make them excellent employers in the industry. Such as...
Not everyone on the Autism Spectrum will have every trait listed; traits also fluctuate depending on circumstance.If you're hoping to diversify your team, something which is, quite frankly, the right thing to do, here are some ways you can support employees on the Autism Spectrum.
- Train neurotypical employees in sensitivity awareness to better understand their neurodivergent co-workers
- Provide advanced notice of meeting discussions
- Provide praise and reinforcement for quality job performance and behaviour
- Allow them to focus on areas in which they have a high level of interest, aptitude or skill
