New Autism and Employment Guides Launched to Support Young People

Ambitious about Autism have produced a three-part resource series to support young people as they prepare for employment, apply for jobs and settle into new roles. The guides provide practical advice and clear information to help autistic individuals make informed decisions throughout their careers.  

The guides cover three key areas:

Understanding your rights – explaining legal protections against workplace discrimination, harassment and victimisation, as well as helping young people recognise inclusive employers and understand where to seek support.  

Choosing when and how to disclose – offering guidance on whether, when and how to tell an employer about being autistic, while outlining the potential benefits of disclosure and sharing real-life examples.  

Requesting adjustments – exploring practical workplace adjustments that can remove barriers, including changes to recruitment processes, interview arrangements and working environments.  

Alongside the main guides, users can access a glossary of key terms, frequently asked questions and a short user guide to help them make the most of the resources. The resources have been designed to be flexible and accessible. Young people can work through them at their own pace, focus on the sections most relevant to them and use device accessibility features to support their reading experience.

For schools, colleges and professionals supporting autistic learners, the guides provide valuable tools to help students prepare for the transition from education into employment. They can be used to start conversations about workplace rights, self-advocacy and reasonable adjustments, helping young people feel more confident about their future careers.