ABSTRACT
The process of undergoing an interview can prove nightmarish for many people with autism. The interview is, indeed, one of the most challenging stages in the application process for people on the autism spectrum. A Canadian study in 2015 indicated that adults with autism fared poorly in job interviews and that impaired communication skills may be apparent even in those considered 'high-functioning'. Eye contact, social interaction, the use of metaphorical and open-ended questions may all constitute tremendous problems. The autism group did notably less well than the non-autistic sample in terms of their use of grammar, vocabulary, speech speed, use of pauses, and patterns of stress and intonation. They also displayed a greater tendency to use overly formal language, to shift or repeat topics abruptly or inappropriately, and to inject irrelevant details, the findings showed. Significantly, listeners said they would offer only 30 per cent of the autism group a second interview, compared with 75 per cent of non-autism group.
