It is widely accepted that adults with autism are under-represented in the labour market. Research carried out by The National Autistic Society puts the employment level of adults with autism as low as 15 per cent. This not only has financial consequences on adults with autism and their families, but also means that adults with autism miss out on the social inclusion and personal fulfillment that comes through work.
The impact is equally significant for the UK economy. Not only does it mean that many adults with autism are dependent on benefits, but also means that UK employers are not benefiting from the skills and talents adults with autism can offer in the workplace.
A study by the National Audit Office in 2009, entitled Supporting people with autism through adulthood, emphasised that this is a major missed opportunity which, in the emerging world economy, must be addressed. A 2007 study by Knapp, Romeo and Beecham into the economic consequences of autism in the UK, entitled The economic consequences of autism in the UK, supports this argument.