• Skip to main content
  • Skip to search
  • Skip to the footer
  • SF Logins and Tools
  • Apply to SF
  • Students
  • Faculty & Staff
  • A-Z
  • Give to SF
Santa Fe College
  • Tap here to open mobile menu
Visit Santa Fe College homepage
Academics
Accreditation Academic Calendar Adult Education Advisement Community Education Continuing Education
Honors Program International Education Library Programs of Study Register for Classes SF Online
Admissions
Get Started Assessment Center Campus Visits Career Coach Degree Options
Financial Aid Florida Residency High School Programs International Student Services Request Information
Student Resources
Child Care Counseling Center Disabilities Resources Learning Commons Library Paying for College
Police Department Scholarships Student News Student Health Care Transcripts Veterans Services
Visitors and Friends
Athletics Campus Visit College for Kids Community Education Fine Arts Hall Foundation Jean Klein Rock Cycle Garden
Kika Silva Pla Planetarium Museum of Earth Science Santa Fe Galleries SF Teaching Zoo Women of Distinction
About SF
Access and Inclusion Accreditation Board of Trustees College News Consumer Information Directory Facts
Health Advisories History of the College Human Resources Locations Marketing & Communications Office of the President

For Employers

  • Santa Fe College
  • Disabilities Resource Center
  • Spectrum of Success
  • For Employers
  • Disabilities Resource Center
  • Accommodations for Events
  • Students
    • Student Portal
    • Schedule a Test
    • Voter Registration
    • Documentation Guidelines
    • Policies and Procedures
  • Service Animals
  • Spectrum of Success
    • Application
    • For Students
    • For Faculty
    • For Employers
  • Assistive Technology Lab
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Grievance / Appeals
  • Contact
  • Feedback Survey

Overview

Employer benefits of hiring people on the autism spectrum:

  • Employees on the spectrum generally consistently follow rules and safety procedures.
  • Employees on the spectrum are often innovative thinkers that think outside the box and creatively solve problems.
  • Employers generally have a much lower turnover rate of people on the autism spectrum, reducing the costs of advertising, interviewing and training new employees.
  • Employees on the spectrum generally appreciate their job and consistently try their best.
  • Employees on the spectrum often have an eye for details and patterns, often finding mistakes and/or software bugs that other people struggle to find.
  • Hiring people on the autism spectrum gives greater diversity in the workplace.

Strategies and information for employers

Interview Process

People on the autism spectrum are often very intelligent, creative and highly skilled.  However, because people on the spectrum have social deficits, are often uncomfortable in certain clothing, and often have poor eye contact, they often do not perform well in typical interviews. For these reasons and others, interviews can be particularly difficult for people on the autism spectrum.  Instead of a typical interview, consider making the process more comfortable for the person being interviewed.  Allow the person to spend time at your company, share his ideas, skills and brainstorm with a group. 

Eye Contact

Understand that if a person on the spectrum does not have good eye contact with you it does not mean they are not paying attention.  Many people on the spectrum can focus and retain information better if they are not forced to have good eye contact. When someone forces a person on the spectrum to have good eye contact, it generally causes them more anxiety.

Clothing

Please be mindful that many people on the autism spectrum have sensory issues and many types of clothing can be painful for them.  People on the spectrum have described wearing some uniforms or other clothing feel like pins and needles, sandpaper, uncomfortable sensations, or constricting.  If we want to help an employee on the spectrum to be more productive, creative and have less melt downs then please consider allowing them to wear clothing that is clean, neat, comfortable and NOT painful to them. 

Rules

People on the autism spectrum generally like and follow rules.  Rules help to give people on the spectrum predictability.  However, it is very important that the employee on the spectrum understands exactly what the rules mean.  If the rules are vague, they may be easily misunderstood.  It might help to ask the employee to explain the rule to you, what it means, why it is a rule, and the consequences for not following the rule. 

Predictability

Most people on the spectrum do best when things are predictable.  If you must change the time of a meeting, please try to give a person on the spectrum as much notice of the change as possible.  If there are changes in how things are done, scheduling, furniture being moved, offices being moved, etc. please try to give employee as much notice of the changes as possible.

Adjustment period

Please allow the employee a little extra time to adjust and learn new things. If the supervisor is frustrated or impatient with an employee on the spectrum, then it will make it much harder for the employee to adjust and learn new tasks. Once the employee adjusts to the new environment, their performance will greatly improve and he/she will consistently preform the tasks correctly.

Sensory Considerations

Employees on the spectrum often do better if they are allowed to be in a quiet office without bright lights and strong odors.  If the employee’s office is next to the lunch room and another employee accidentally burns popcorn in the microwave the smell may be unbearable for the employee on the spectrum.  Noises, odors and visual stimuli that neuro-typical people might not notice may be highly magnified for people on the spectrum. 

Breaks

People on the spectrum may need to take more breaks.  They should also be able to take a break to calm down if they are feeling overwhelmed or experiencing high anxiety.  It might be helpful to have a safe and quiet room the employee can use if he/she is on the verge of having a panic attack.

Time Management

Some employees on the spectrum might struggle with time management.  To help the employee on the spectrum, a supervisor might want to help the employee to keep an hourly log that shows what tasks he should be working on and for how long.  It might also help if the supervisor makes a priority chart that the employee can follow.  Ex. 9am to 10am return phone calls, 10am to 11am make cold calls, 11am to 12pm meeting with client, etc.  Also, a priority list could look something like: 1. Return Supervisor’s Calls. 2. Return Client Calls. 3. Complete daily must-do tasks. 4. Work on ways to make office more efficient…

Literal

People on the spectrum can be extremely literal which could lead to them misunderstanding instructions or rules.  It will help if you avoid sarcasm, idioms, metaphors, and words with multiple meanings (unless you explain the meaning of these).  Only say “always” or “never” if you literally mean this. 

Nonverbal language

Employees on the spectrum often have struggle with understanding nonverbal language. They may not understand when someone is joking or exaggerating.  People on the spectrum might also be unaware that their body language sends messages that the person on the spectrum did not intend to send.

Job Coach

Some people on the spectrum will do better if a job coach assists the employee for a brief time.  Once the employee is comfortable and understands the tasks and expectations of him, the job coach might be faded out and natural supports provide any guidance needed. Keep phone number of job coach nearby and call for guidance if problems arise.

Apply to SF
Visit SF
Request Information
Give to SF
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
  • Linkedin
3000 NW 83rd Street
Gainesville, FL 32606

352-395-5000
  • Accessibility
  • Transportation
  • Locations
  • Careers
  • Sitemap
  • A-Z

Commitment to Equal Access and Equal Opportunity

Santa Fe College is committed to an environment that embraces diversity, respects the rights of all individuals, is open and accessible, and is free of harassment and discrimination. For more information, visit sfcollege.edu/eaeo.

SACSCOC Accreditation Statement

Santa Fe College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). For more information, visit sfcollege.edu/sacscoc.

Top
Home Academics Admissions Student Resources Visitors and Friends About SF
SF Logins and Tools Apply to SF Students Faculty & Staff A-Z Give to SF