How To Get A Workplace Accommodation For Autism Spectrum Disorder

Nearly 5.5 million adults in the United States have autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to a 2017 government estimate. Studies say that at least 20 percent of these people are employed — some of them in targeted vocational programs, but many others in the general workforce.

If you're on the autism spectrum and are struggling to succeed in a "regular" job, you may be entitled to accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) or its equivalent for government employees, the Rehabilitation Act.

(Note: For the purposes of this article we'll refer mostly to the ADA, but the Rehab Act works almost identically.)

ASD symptoms are highly individual, but they may include difficulty with focus, communication, social skills, repetitive behaviors, and handling strong stimuli. Because ASD is a spectrum disorder, severity varies. People who hold mainstream jobs are generally on the mild end of the spectrum, often with a condition that was once