Exploring the Landscape of Employers for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorders are a class of neurodevelopmental disorders which usually present with difficulties in social interactions, verbal and nonverbal forms of communication, repetitive behaviors, and restricted interests. While there are several guides that describe the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements for employers looking to hire those with disabilities, the academic literature describing actual current employer programming to support employees with disabilities is scarce. This study utilizes unsupervised machine learning to explore the policies and practices of 285 employers with regard to autism spectrum disorders, with the ultimate goal of understanding shortcomings in employment practices that can be improved through a combination of educational programs and changes to corporate culture.

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