• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
EPIC Assist

EPIC Assist

13 EPIC 133742
  • Home
  • Job seekers
    • Eligibility
    • Get started
    • What to expect
    • Mental health support
    • Choosing a provider
    • Work preparation (NDIS)
    • Traineeships and apprenticeships
    • For school students
    • Job seeker toolkit
    • FAQs
  • Businesses
    • Looking for employees
    • Support employee mental health
    • Get support for at risk employees
    • Diversity and inclusion training
    • Our supportive employers
  • Training
    • Disability awareness workshops
    • Mental health workshops
    • Disability learning session
  • Get involved
    • Volunteer
    • Art exhibition
  • Contact
    • Feedback
  • Locations
  • News
  • Work with us
  • About us
  • Home
  • Job seekers
    • Eligibility
    • Get started
    • What to expect
    • Mental health support
    • Choosing a provider
    • Work preparation (NDIS)
    • Traineeships and apprenticeships
    • For school students
    • Job seeker toolkit
    • FAQs
  • Businesses
    • Looking for employees
    • Support employee mental health
    • Get support for at risk employees
    • Diversity and inclusion training
    • Our supportive employers
  • Training
    • Disability awareness workshops
    • Mental health workshops
    • Disability learning session
  • Get involved
    • Volunteer
    • Art exhibition
  • Contact
    • Feedback
You are here: Home / Business toolkit / Mental health in job seekers on the autism spectrum

Mental health in job seekers on the autism spectrum

Friday, 23 March 2018
I line of five people stand, picture from the neck down.
FacebookTweetLinkedInEmail

Entering the workforce or starting a new job can be a stressful time. Many of us feel vulnerable as we navigate a new workplace. This can be particularly true for people on the autism spectrum, who may require extra support as they enter a new job.

Here’s how employers and teams can support the mental health of colleagues on the autism spectrum.

Exercise empathy

Empathy, understanding, and patience are critical to supporting a person on the autism spectrum. This is particularly important when starting a new role. By taking the time to understand a person’s needs, you are helping build your colleague’s confidence and competence in their role. That can make a positive difference to a person’s mental health.

Understand autism traits

While no two people on the autism spectrum are the same, many share common characteristics. Common traits include:

  • Difficulty understanding and interpreting body language or emotional cues.
  • A tendency to take statements literally.
  • Sensitivity to loud noises, bright lights, and crowds.
  • Challenges in dealing with changes to routine or unexpected occurrences.

Understanding these characteristics can help employers to improve how they support people on the autism spectrum.

Consider reasonable adjustments

Small adjustments to a work task can help a person with autism to perform at their best. Similarly, minor changes to a work environment can reduce sensory overload and allow a person with autism to feel more comfortable.

EPIC Assist works with businesses to adapt recruitment processes, interviews, and job roles to make the partnership a success for both employer and employee.

Create a culture of support

Having a strong support network is essential for people on the autism spectrum. We all have a role to play in creating a culture of support around mental health in the workplace, which benefits all employees, including those on the autism spectrum.

1 in 5 of EPIC’s job seekers are on the autism spectrum. We provide personalised employment services – including mental health support – to help our job seekers find and maintain meaningful employment.

Business toolkit, News

Marketing

Get in touch today
Feedback
Phone
Email
Visit
Connect with us

Job seekers

  • Eligibility
  • Get started
  • What to expect
  • Mental health support
  • Choosing a provider
  • FAQs

Businesses

  • Looking for employees
  • Support employee mental health
  • Get support for at risk employees
  • Diversity and inclusion training
  • Our supportive employers

Training

  • Disability awareness workshops
  • Mental health workshops
  • Disability learning session

Get involved

  • Volunteer
  • Art exhibition

Contact us

  • Feedback
ABN 63 946 234 656
ARBN 607 463 767
Privacy
Accessibility
Feedback
Staff Login
Ambassador Login
Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

Email sent!