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9 August

Autism and employment research

The University of London is looking for participants to take part in an online survey looking at the employment decisions of adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The survey will also look at the workplace experiences of parents who have a child with an ASD.

Rosie Nicholson from the Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London, said: “We are particularly interested in questions about whether parents who must care for a child with ASD are supported at work in the same way that they might be if they were a long-term carer of a cancer patient or patient with dementia.

“The implications for families of understanding what is happening and educating employers about this problem are huge. We are also interested in how adults with autism navigate the world of work, and the impact that employment status, either working, or not working, has on their mental health.”

The study has Ethical Approval and the usual requirements for Data Protection, and participant protection will be adhered to. Participants don't have to have a job now in order to fill in the questionnaire, and the questionnaire will take between 20-30 minutes to complete.

The questionnaire can be found at http://homepages.gold.ac.uk/autismandemployment

For further information about the study, please call 020 7919 7037 or email ps501rn@gold.ac.uk

Ends

Michael Denham
Communications & Marketing Officer
Employers' Forum on Disability press office
Email: michael.denham@employers-forum.co.uk
Telephone: 020 7403 3020

1. Employers' Forum on Disability

Employers' Forum on Disability (EFD) is the employers' organisation focused on disability as it affects business. With over 400 members, EFD represents organisations that employ circa 25 per cent of the UK workforce. EFD is recognised as the authoritative voice on disability as it affects employers and service providers. Since its establishment in 1991, EFD has worked closely with government and other stakeholders, sharing best practice to make it easier to employ disabled people and serve disabled customers. A full list of EFD's gold group and further information on EFD can be viewed on our web site.