What’s important to autistic people about their jobs

Following hundreds of responses to “32 remote (work from home) jobs for autistic people and Aspergers, test which one fits you best”, this is what we learned:

Several months ago I released a post which enables autistics and Aspergers to test which remote (mostly online) jobs might be a good fit for them. Let’s take a look at the answers:

To what extent do you prefer repetitive work?

The average was 6.2 (out of 10)

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To what extent do you prefer your instructions to be well defined (less room for improvisation and interpretation)?

The average was 7.9 

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To what extent do you prefer the tasks to be highly divided to small tasks by the employer?

The average was 6.3

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To what extent do you prefer minimum social interactions (with your employer as well as with other people related to the tasks given)?

The average was 7.7

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As we can see, the most important things for most autistic and aspergers about their job is getting clear, not vague instructions, followed by minimizing social interactions. Working remotely from home can definitely minimize social interactions. Clear instructions are inherent to working remotely so this answers the most important things to autistic people about their job. The more I look at these answers, as well as read posts that are trying to answer the question ‘what are the best jobs for autistic people’ (we had a few here: example 1, example 2), the more I understand it’s more about the environment and less about the role.

If you think I missed something, feel free to comment.

A simple freelance contract template [free, and personalized]

If you are a writer, graphic designer, artist, web researcher, or any other freelancer (or a client hiring such a freelancer) who doesn’t know how to create a freelance contract, you can answer several questions below and we’ll generate a personalized contract.

An additional option you can check is Bonsai - a startup backed by the same early investors as Airbnb, Reddit, Dropbox and more - that provides what you need to run your freelancing business (contracts, proposals, invoices, time tracking, expenses and more). I think they have a 14 days free trial.

Fair disclosure - if you do use them Spectroomz earns a commission, but we wouldn’t recommend them if they weren’t serious.

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What are the Best Jobs for Autistic People?

By: Vanessa Blanchard

I’ve had a lot of jobs in the last 20 years.  Some were great, others awful, but all of them burned me out.  Figuring out why I couldn’t hold a job helped me learn I’m autistic.  The majority of autistic adults are un or underemployed, largely because the demands of traditional jobs erase autistic needs.  So, are there jobs for autistic people?

I think yes, but the key to stable employment for autistic adults is to let meeting their needs become part of the job.  We often thrive in environments without hierarchies that foster authenticity.

My worst jobs were ones where hierarchies mattered greatly.  I’m always thrust to the bottom of social structures like this.  That’s what being “othered” is about. These are the jobs where needing accommodations is both a betrayal and a sign that you’re a liar.  

The worst job I’ve ever had was in real estate.  I wanted to talk about houses all day. Instead, I had to mask constantly and chase people’s approval.  Office work requires constant interruptions and phones make me anxious. I quickly found myself being manipulated and bullied within the office.

There were parts of that job I loved very much, but I couldn’t make it 4 months before I was fired.  The disappointment and embarrassment nearly broke me. It took me months to recover and I had to pay for therapy out of pocket just to last as long as I did.

My best job was the opposite.  I designed crochet patterns and sold them on Etsy.  This job let me organize my day around my needs. I could stim freely.  There were tasks that were good for bad sensory days, hyperfocus, or no focus, far fewer social and sensory demands, and new projects meant novelty within a routine.  Breaks were allowed because stillness brings innovation and clarity, which is integral for an art business.

I kept that job for several years before I decided to move on.  During that time, my mental health improved immensely. Building an expression, stitch by stitch is a tangible transmutation.  Finishing a thing is my favorite way to gain confidence.

I firmly believe that there could be a diverse range of  jobs out there for autistic adults that won’t chew them up and spit them out.  It will require innovation and perhaps a union so that we’re protected from discrimination, but it’s 100% possible for many more of us to have the independence and sense of purpose that employment offers.

A freelance proposal example and template

Below you can find a general freelance proposal template you can copy and modify. You can also find our freelance proposal template tool—just enter the details and get your personalized template.

Since more people will use it, please treat it as a basic template you’ll need to adjust.

Freelance proposal template:

Hi [name of the client], 

I'm [your name], and I'd love to [what is the job - concisely show the client you understand what’s the job and that you read their job description. Clients HATE general templates]. 

I'm a great fit because [explain why you are a great fit]. [(optional: I also attached an example of [what is the example (it could be a previous job you did, a project from college or a small portion you completed from the project the client posted)] which I find similar to your project. 

I'm ready to start working on your project [when] and can complete it by [when. make sure it's before the deadline the client posted]. 

Looking forward to hearing from you.

[your name]. 

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Use our freelance proposal tool instead of copy-pasting

Freelance proposal example:

Now, let’s see an example of that freelance proposal template. Let’s assume the project you are proposing for is a data analysis of an online survey conducted by the client with regards to their app. 

Hi Jimi, 

I'm Arik, and I'd love to summaries the data you collected through the survey on your app ‘GreatApp’. 

I'm a great fit because I have analyzed data for over 15 surveys so far. I also attached an analysis example of a survey taken by the users of a dating app, which I find similar to your project.

I'm ready to start working on your project tomorrow (9 am EST) and can complete it by Thursday 1 pm EST. 

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Arik. 

If you’ll feel you’ll need something else, you can find many free professional proposals here.

Got the job? use our free freelance contract template

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Silicon Valley Dreams Meet Reality: The (Supposedly) Perfect Job for an Aspie

When thinking about the best job for an autistic person, it’s usually the tech industry that comes to mind. The geeky and eccentric Silicon Valley programmer archetype maps well onto stereotypes about autistic people. We’re often portrayed in media as latent mathematicians or computer whisperers, but many of us aren’t particularly good at math nor moderate debates between calculators.

I worked in IT having thought it was the most fitting career for me. And, in many ways, the job was fitting. However, office politics exasperated me.

In 2017, I was finally hired for the sort job I’d always hoped for. I was contracted to do mid-level cybersecurity work at a Fortune 100 company, and, if I performed well, there was a good chance of a steady, full-time spot on the team. I was ecstatic.

Then, a couple of months into the job, I realized how awful corporate life is. The quarterly performance evaluations made me and coworkers anxious about job security, which made the office feel competitive rather than cooperative. And most of the managers were callous and cutthroat because they would face repercussions if their team’s performance slipped.

The stress of masking combined with the company’s cutthroat work culture grew to be too much for me, so I left what I thought was my ideal job.

After that experience in IT, I felt drained but inspired to explore my other talents. I started taking writing more seriously and also worked as a professional tutor. Betraying the autistic archetype, I enjoyed writing and tutoring significantly more than any job I’d had in the three years I was working in the tech field.

Tutoring was refreshing for an autistic extravert like me, and it pays well for a side gig. Now, I’m working at a startup company called Embrace ASD, a research-based autism blog, and tutoring on the side. I discovered my niche and finally found work I'm passionate about doing with people I enjoy.

Rather than a perfect job for autistic people, it’s more about finding a work environment and culture that dissuades strict social rules and hierarchies; frankly, I believe that these changes would make the workplace more enjoyable not just for autistics, but for everyone.

So keep searching for your niche because we ought to at least be entitled to enjoying the work we do.