Autism Stigma and Employment: A Scoping Review.

Purpose

Despite the growing awareness of neurodivergence, autistic adults continue to face disproportionately low employment rates worldwide compared to the neurotypical population. This scoping review investigates the impact of social stigma on the employment outcomes of autistic individuals, aiming to understand the experiences of autistic adults in the workplace with the research question: How does the stigma surrounding autism affect the employment outcomes of autistic individuals?

Methods

This scoping review examined 14 qualitative studies published over the last 10 years and synthesized the perspectives of both employers and autistic employees to identify key themes shaping their workplace experiences.

Results

The findings suggest that stigma, evident through misconceptions and a lack of inclusive workplace cultures, often results in discriminatory practices and limits employment opportunities while negatively affecting the well-being of autistic individuals. Four consolidated themes emerged from the autistic perspective: inclusive practices, the importance of fitting in, generalizations about autism, and masking or social camouflaging. From the employer's perspective, three consolidated themes were identified: inclusive versus non-inclusive practices, understanding of autism, and attitudes towards discrimination and disclosure.

Conclusion

These results highlight the need for a societal shift in perceptions toward more inclusive workplace practices, including community-level anti-stigmatization education and workplace accommodations that support all employees.