THE DISABILITY EXPERIENCE CONFERENCE Unemployment and Underemployment on the Autism Spectrum Abigail Salisbury, J.D.

“The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people.” - President Theodore Roosevelt Photo: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Online Catalog

Diagnostic Criteria for Asperger's Disorder - Impairment in social interaction - Lack of social/emotional reciprocity - Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests and activities - Impairment in social, occupational, other areas. - No delay in language. - No delay in cognitive development or of age- appropriate self-help skills, adaptive behavior (other than in social interaction), or curiosity.

2009 Dept. of Ed. National Longitudinal Transition Study: -33% of young adults with autism employed -44% earned less than $7.25 an hour -Employment comparable to those who are both deaf and blind -Employed at lower rate than those with blindness, learning disabilities, traumatic brain injuries. -26% working full-time

Law and Policy Elements - Discrimination  ADA  Race  Gender - Availability of Legal Recourse - Systemic Change

Invisible Disability, Invisible Discrimination -Unwritten Rules -Office Environment -Job Description  People Skills  Team Player -No Critical Mass of ASD

Recommendations and Conclusion