Understanding Employment Outcomes for Individuals with Low-Functioning Autism: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Individuals with low-functioning autism and co-occurring intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) face disproportionately high barriers to meaningful, sustained employment. Therefore, this narrative review aims to synthesise existing literature to examine employment patterns, barriers, and support mechanisms influencing employment outcomes among individuals with low-functioning autism. We discover that most of the employment transpires in supported or sheltered environments, whereas competitive, integrated employment is still rare. A confluence of social-communication difficulties, sensory-environmental barriers, employer discrimination, and policy gaps impedes job acquisition and, critically, long-term retention. While evidence-based support mechanisms such as workplace accommodations, assistive technology, and employer training exist, a significant implementation gap persists. The review identifies critical research gaps, including a lack of longitudinal studies, a historical focus on high-functioning autism, and insufficient investigation of integrated support models. We conclude that a paradigm shift is necessary, shifting from a focus on job placement to one of sustained career support, which requires coordinated efforts from researchers, practitioners, employers, and policymakers to translate the promise of inclusion into a tangible reality.