Inclusion of Autistic Adults in the Labor Market: A Critical Analysis from Psychology

Abstract

The inclusion of autistic adults in the job market remains a significant challenge, despite advances in recognizing neurodiversity as a spectrum of valuable cognitive variations. This critical theoretical essay analyzes the primary organizational barriers autistic individuals face, integrating recent scientific literature with the author's situated experience as an autistic adult professional in business administration. It adopts a qualitative approach, grounded in an integrative literature review (2018-2025 period) and reflexive autoethnographic analysis. Findings reveal that barriers are predominantly structural and multifaceted. Exclusive selection processes, such as standardized behavioral interviews and group dynamics favoring neurotypicality, eliminate qualified autistic candidates from the outset. Social biases, including stereotypes of "lack of social skills" or "cognitive rigidity," perpetuate implicit discrimination, as per studies by Austin and Pisano (2021) and Crane et al. (2023). Moreover, the absence of organizational adaptations—such as sensory-controlled environments, clear written communication, and flexible schedules—exacerbates burnout and high turnover, reported in up to 80% of cases (Hedley et al., 2022). The author's experience corroborates these findings: in Brazilian corporate contexts, minimal adaptations such as sensory-focused software led to greater productivity, in contrast to prior rejections due to "cultural incompatibility." It is argued that effective inclusion requires systemic changes, such as adopting neurodiverse organizational models (e.g., neurodiverse hiring at SAP and Microsoft), cognitive antiracism training, and performance metrics based on outcomes rather than social conformity. In conclusion, the articulation between theory and personal experience not only broadens understanding of the phenomenon but also strengthens inclusive practices, promoting equity and sustainable organizational innovation.