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Autism in the workplace

Learn about autism in the workplace, the value of supporting employees with autism and ways to create inclusive workplaces where employees can thrive.

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Understanding autism

Autism affects how people experience and interact with the world. It is something a person is born with and lasts for their whole life. Autism is a lifelong neurodivergence and disability.

Autistic people are all different from each other, but they share some differences from non-autistic people in how they think, feel, and communicate.

Autistic people might:

  • Find it harder to understand other people’s feelings or social rules
  • Have strong interests in certain topics and want to focus on them a lot
  • Be very sensitive to sounds, lights, touch, or other sensations
  • Prefer routines and can get upset if things change suddenly

Find out more about Autism.

Workplace challenges

Workplace challenges for autistic adults include:

Social expectations

Understanding unwritten rules, office etiquette, or subtle cues can be tiring and sometimes lead to misunderstandings.

Sensory sensitivities

Noise, bright lights, open offices, or frequent interruptions can be overwhelming and affect focus and comfort.

Changes and transitions

Sudden shifts in tasks, schedules, or priorities can cause stress and disrupt workflow.

Planning and organisation

Managing tasks, deadlines and priorities may require extra effort.

Importance of routines

Clear structures and predictable routines help reduce stress and improve performance.

Confidence and integration

These challenges can impact social interactions, workplace engagement and career progression.

Often, these challenges are caused by the environment, not the person. Many autistic adults may mask difficulties at work to try to appear competent and fit in. Masking means hiding natural behaviours or overcompensating for challenges such as time management, focus and social interaction.

Masking for a long time can lead to stress, anxiety, exhaustion and burnout. Research shows that masking is a key cause of mental health difficulties at work.

The National Autistic Society has more information about masking.

Page last reviewed: 28th May 2026