ABSTRACT
The complexities of autism defy easy stereotypes — but that has not stopped people from trying to introduce such over-simplifications. A hugely damaging myth is that people on the autism spectrum lack imagination and creativity and so are suited only for routine/repetitive work. Although a diagnostic criterion of autism does indeed remain 'restricted, repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behaviour, interests and activities', some people with autism have a number of things they enjoy and are good at. Research highlighting the strength of many autistic individuals in identifying visual-spatial patterns indicates that, in addition to being good at pinpointing individual details — the weak central coherence. For many employed autistics, the result of that dichotomy is steadily accumulating stress which spills over into the job. Some of the individuals need residential placement or small group settings, but others make it independently. Some mentoring works well for the transition to regular workforce.
