Which Companies Hire Neurodivergent People?
Many neurodiverse people in search of a job find it beneficial to research and apply to companies that not only accept neurodiversity, but also appreciate it and know how to help them succeed. Though it can be difficult for neurodiverse people to obtain and keep employment, there are companies out there who value their skill sets. This blog describes a handful of the organizations that are actively trying to hire neurodiverse employees. Here are some of the top companies that have been noticed for their including hiring practices. In alphabetical order, they are...
Auticon US
Auticon US, an information technology firm headquartered in Los Angeles, is leading the way when it comes to hiring autistic individuals. Founded by Gray Benoist, the father of two autistic sons, Auticon's mission is to bridge the gap between those on the autism spectrum and employment opportunities. While traditional job application methods such as interviews are not usually ideal for autistic individuals, Auticon has implemented a four-week training schedule to assess suitability for open positions. To further create a supportive environment where neurodiverse people often lack opportunity to excel professionally, they also offer accommodations and social support specific to employees with autism. With more than 150 employees and growing, Auticon US is setting a great example for businesses globally.
Capital One
Capital One is a leader in workplace inclusivity. Through its Autism at Work program established in 2009, the company offers professionals on the autism spectrum jobs and internships with opportunities for full-time employment upon completion. Thanks to Capital One's commitment to inclusion, four of seven interns join the company each year as permanent staff. The program has since been described by experts as “a model in how a large, complex enterprise can be sensitive and supportive” of employees who are autistic.
Citizens Bank
Citizens began its Autism at Work program with the goal of bringing neurodiversity into the workforce, and though the program originally focused on hiring individuals with autism spectrum disorder, it is now includes those with ADHD, dyslexia, and more. Partnered with Massachusetts General Hospital's Aspire Programs, for the first 90 days, new hires, department managers, and team members receive mentorship and training. Additionally, those hired into the program have regular coaching and professional development sessions with their manager and access to trainings to help them feel successful and supported in their career. Find an open role here or email autismatwork@citizensbank.com.
Dell
Dell has made it a point to position itself as one of the most progressive companies when it comes to actively seeking out and hiring neurodivergent people. The company’s Autism Hiring Program takes into account the specific strengths, interests, capacities, and potential that these individuals bring to the table. In order to assess the potential of all applicants, they refer those interested to a two-week skills assessment that is tailored to determine their individual capabilities and contributions. Through this approach, Dell has created an inclusive workplace environment and sought out some of the best minds across a diverse range of abilities.
DXC Technology
Michael Fieldhouse, an executive at DXC Technology, started the DXC Dandelion Program to help neurodivergent workers harness their talents and skills in information technology and other fields. The program has established seven teams in four U.S. states and territories across Australia. It provides mentorship, help with finding employment, and access to training and development opportunities. The program also offers support for workers who may need accommodations or have difficulty navigating the workplace.
EY
The story of EY is a remarkable one in terms of its commitment to hiring neurodivergent people. The company has gone beyond simply developing a specialized onboarding process. It has embraced the concept of inclusion and provided people with the support, opportunities, and resources needed for them to thrive at work. Furthermore, EY established regional and international hubs dedicated to neurodiversity as centers of excellence. This encourages dialogue about workplace inclusion and creates possibilities for collaboration. It also allows the company to integrate the skillsets of its diverse regional workforces in order to serve its client needs more effectively and create an environment that is more productive and innovative. EY actively promotes to its clients neurodiversity-powered transformation.
FALA Technologies
Neurodiversity is a celebration of the different neurological wiring that exists in people, including those with conditions like autism, dyslexia, and ADHD. FALA Technologies is one of the first companies to put this philosophy into action in an industrial setting. Through its apprenticeship program, FALA has opened up opportunities in advanced manufacturing and technology fields to those with neurological differences. The organization works diligently to identify the right individuals for these roles, then trains and supports them throughout their tenures.
Ford
Ford Motor Company’s commitment to hiring neurodivergent people has been a model for employers across the nation and has helped create meaningful opportunities for neurodivergent individuals. The company began with its FordWorks project in 2016, proving that corporations can take steps toward including diverse hires in their workforce by offering on-the-job training for neurodiverse individuals and job placement in IT, product development, credit, and manufacturing. The program started by surveying existing job openings and with assistance from the Autism Alliance of Michigan, which offered experienced counselors to help identify and match potential candidates.
Freddie Mac
Freddie Mac is making strides towards inclusion in the job market with its innovative Autism Internship Program. This program works to match business needs with the varied skills of neurodivergent people, while also providing them access to a supportive work environment. By recognizing that all employees have unique talents, Freddie Mac is one of the few organizations showing its commitment to building a diverse and truly equitable workforce – one that benefits everyone involved. With this initiative (and hopefully more to come), Freddie Mac has opened doors for many individuals, showing that there are numerous competitive job opportunities in the industry for workers of all ability levels.
Goldman Sachs
Goldman Sachs has received world-wide recognition for its commitment to employees who identify as neurodivergent. With its Neurodiversity Hiring Initiative, launched in 2019, the company is committed to helping candidates understand their contributions and potential value within Goldman Sachs and the corporate world more generally. This initiative provides an eight-week paid internship program for neurodivergent individuals, which includes extensive training, coaching, and mentoring aimed at providing skill sets that will benefit these members of the workforce long term. This enables Goldman Sachs to not only meet its goal of increasing the percentage of neurodivergent employees to one percent of the total headcount, but also sends a strong signal of inclusive hiring practices that shows they are committed to giving everyone an equal opportunity at success.
Google Cloud
Google Cloud has certainly cast a wide net with its Autism Career Program, demonstrating its dedication to promoting neurodiversity within the company. This initiative not only focuses on attracting and hiring neurodivergent individuals, but also prepares the relevant staff to act considerately when it comes to accommodating those with divergent neurological profiles. It's through measures such as these that Google Cloud is establishing an inclusive environment so that neurodiversity can thrive. Furthermore, with guidance from the reputable Stanford Neurodiversity Project, Google Cloud is well poised to become a leader in this field.
JPMorgan Chase
JPMorgan Chase's Neurodiversity Hiring Program has focused on hiring neurodivergent employees since 2015 and has since grown to include 10 lines of business in multiple countries. Job roles for neurodivergent employees who have participated in this program have ranged from software engineering and tech operations to personal banking.
KeyBank
In Cleveland, KeyBank has partnered with The Precisionists, Inc. to place autistic individuals and others into essential roles. The types of positions offered range from fraud detection to mailroom services. Eight people have already taken advantage of this unique opportunity and the bank has plans for further job placements so even more individuals can take part in gainful employment.
Microsoft
Microsoft's dedication to neurodiversity hiring as seen through their Neurodiversity Hiring Program demonstrates a commitment to ensuring that workplace diversity is reflected not only in demographic backgrounds and lifestyle choices, but also in innate skills, personalities, and learning styles. Candidates are carefully vetted through this program to ensure the best possible fit – both for the job and for the overall culture of Microsoft. The hiring process based around a hiring event where applicants spend a few days learning how Microsoft works and what roles are available. There is also an Inclusive Hiring Webinar on the first Tuesday of each month. Onboarding includes job coaching and dedicated efforts to nurture employees, while also offering training opportunities to provide guidance on how they can excel in their roles.
SAP
SAP is a champion for neurodivergent talent and has been providing employment opportunities to autistic individuals since 2013. Their Autism at Work program offers jobs in countries around the world, with job roles spanning varied areas such as HR, finance, marketing, software development, and customer support. Participants are given the chance to leverage their unique abilities and perspectives to be innovative while performing meaningful tasks that contribute to business operations. From task-oriented activities to more creative endeavors like design and software development, SAP celebrates the special gifts of their autistic employees by giving them great job opportunities.
Schwab
Schwab's Neurodiversity at Work program strives to remove barriers to entry and enable people who are differently wired to find jobs at Schwab and participate as respected equals. The interview process revolves around a relevant skills-based demonstration rather than how well you schmooze with people during the interview process. Once you start working for Schwab, you can join the Charles Schwab Ability Network which brings together neurodivergent employees and allies who want to advocate for accessibility, create awareness about disabilities (visible and invisible), and celebrate progress.
Specialisterne
Specialisterne is a leader in harnessing the talents of neurodivergent people. The company provides these individuals with opportunities to sustain meaningful employment and helps them to develop their skills and abilities. Specialisterne was originally founded in Denmark by Thorkil Sonne, and now operates in twelve countries around the world. The company's success lies in its recognition of the potential of neurodivergent people, and its commitment to providing them with inclusive opportunities.
Travelers
Travelers has a long history of disability inclusion practices in the workplace and is a repeat winner of top scores on the Disability Equality Index. They've achieved this through a comprehensive program that includes employee resource groups, specialized programming, and partnership with community organizations, and they've been a member of Neurodiversity @ Work Employer Roundtable since 2018. You can read about their journey and strategies for hiring and supporting neurodivergent workers here. They are working specifically to hire and promote neurodivergent people from entry-level to the top leadership positions.
U.S. Department of Defense
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has been a leader in the push for neurodiversity awareness and acceptance at work. In 2018, its flagship project, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base's Autism at Work program, was launched to target and recruit talented autistic individuals for internships at the base. Funded by the DoD as well as privately from the Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) and Wright State University (WSU), this pioneering initiative has had success stories of interns moving into permanent positions. By rethinking the hiring process and taking a neurodiversity-centered approach, the U.S. Department of Defense is paving the way forward in promoting acceptance of neurodivergent employees across industries and organizations. They also offer civilian employment.
Ultranauts
Ultranauts, founded by two Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) graduates, is dedicated to hiring neurodivergent people. Their mission is to promote the understanding that a diverse workplace can give companies an edge when it comes to achieving success. To prove this point, Ultranauts has delivered exceptional results since its inception; 75% of its employees are autistic and their sustained average growth rate stands at 50%. This success is achieved through unique methods such as having job candidates complete a competency assessment that evaluates various desirable attributes for software testers. Not only does this data-driven approach result in higher quality hires, but also ensures fairness and opportunities for those who may have previously been excluded from employment roles due to related issues. Thus, Ultranauts could serve as a role model when it comes to establishing real progress in promoting additive diversity into workplaces today.
Wells Fargo
One thing that often trips neurodivergent people up when seeking employment is the interview process. It's often an obstacle course that they struggle to run, and often the obstacles have zero correlation to their ability to do the job. Wells Fargo's neurodiversity program facilitates a more accommodating, skills-based hiring model that is accessible by design. Launched in April 2020 in conjunction with Autism Awareness Month, the program was designed to support a profoundly underserved community that experiences undeserved high unemployment rates. As of May 2023, 190 full-time employees have been hired through this program into technology roles, but they are actively explaining into other functions within the organization.
Willie Towers Watson
Willis Towers Watson (WTW) is one company that has earned recognition for its commitment to hiring employees with autism. The global advisory and brokerage firm created an autism hiring initiative in 2014, beginning with a pilot program at the White Plains office. This was made possible by WTW's partnership with Specialisterne, an organization focused on connecting autistic people with employers, and AHRC, an organization that assists individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Thanks to successful trial runs, the company eventually expanded the program beyond the US, into its UK offices as well.
Other Resources for Finding a Job as a Neurodivergent Person
Beyond applying directly with one of the organizations listed above, there are other resources you can tap into to help you find a new job.
The Neurodiversity @ Work Employer Roundtable
The Neurodiversity@Work Employer Roundtable is a great resource for neurodivergent job seekers. With over 40 employers committed to neurodiversity-inclusive hiring initiatives, the Roundtable is a great place to start your job search.
Neurodiversity Career Connector
The Neurodiversity Career Connector is a marketplace that enables candidates to discover job openings and connect with a breadth of employers and position types. These roles highlight some of the most common jobs and skills for which their companies are hiring, but the list is not intended to be comprehensive of every possible role. You are welcome to apply for any role posted on their career site. Currently, jobs are listed for employers hiring in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia.
Job Boards
While there are a variety of resources available to help you on your hunt for a new job, one of the most beneficial ideas lies in exploring job boards. Job boards match employers with potential employees, a process that can be especially advantageous for those with disabilities or other forms of neurodivergence. The key is to research as many job boards as possible; many offer tailored sections specifically designed to promote accessible positions. Taking advantage of job boards, along with other helpful resources such as resume-building services or support from local nonprofits and disability organizations, can provide a great boost in finding the perfect fit for your skill set and experience.
Some excellent job boards to consider include:
Neurodiversity Career Connector
Neurodiversity in the Workplace
Work Training Resources
For neurodivergent persons seeking a job, exploring the many training resources available is essential. You can check with your local advocacy resources or community centers to find work readiness resources near you, but there are also online services you can tap into. For example, you might consider Freelancing School to learn necessary skills – from initial ideas to business launch – if you're interested in starting your own business. Then there's Spectroomz, which allows enthusiastic adult autistics the chance to gain remote skills at an affordable rate. Look into both of these resources – or others like them – for valuable insight, tools, and techniques to secure your dream job. Don't be afraid to invest in new skills; with the right attitude and effort, you will definitely see results!
Job Hunting Resources
How to Create the Perfect Elevator Pitch - Plus Examples: Brevity has never been my strength, and when someone asks what I do, I really struggle to keep it brief. This was a great video with examples on how to craft your elevator pitch.
Resume and Employment Guide for People With Disabilities by Resume Builder: This is a great comprehensive guide. It includes best practices for resume writing, job-related resources, laws that protect you from discrimination, dealing with workplace discrimination and harassment, and other resources.
Resume Builder App: This free website app enables you to create a beautiful resume using the best practices described in the Resume and Employment Guide for People With Disabilities above. Create a new resume from scratch or import your LinkedIn profile to give you a head start. If starting from scratch, just enter your information in the given fields and watch as your resume is created on the opposite side of the screen.
Job Search Sites
abilityJOBS: The largest job site for people with disabilities. All employers on this website are looking specifically to hire differently-abled workers. Employers include the Central Intelligence Agency, Deloitte, Amazon, and others.
DisabledPerson: This job board lists opportunities across many different career categories from companies looking for a diverse workforce.
Getting Hired: This job board lists opportunities at over 100 Fortune 500 companies and other inclusive employers.
Inclusively: Connects job hunters with job matches from employers who are committed to disability inclusion and creating diverse teams. You create a free profile, find and connect to jobs, and receive personalized job matches. You can also network on the community portal with other candidates, advocates, and employers.
Jobs for Humanity: This site was created and is managed by a job search organization that focuses on connecting “historically underrepresented talent to welcoming employers.” Jobs can be searched by level of experience, function and type of employment, and country. You can sign up for job alerts if you want to stay current.
Neurodiversity Career Connector: Created by the Neurodiversity@Work Employer Roundtable, a collection of employers committed to neurodiversity-focused hiring initiatives, this job marketplace enables candidates to discover job openings and connect with a variety of employers and position types.
Neurodiversity in the Workplace: NITW works with both candidates and employers to make the workplace a better environment for neurodiversity. They maintain a candidate list and then try to match candidates with employers who are their “partners.” They don’t post jobs on their job board. You use their “Get in Touch” link to tell them about yourself through a “candidate database form”, and they then put you in their candidate bank. There are no costs to joining their candidate bank.
Remote.co*: Hand-curated part-time and full-time remote jobs in accounting, customer service, design, development, editing, healthcare, HR, IT, legal, marketing, project management, QA, sales, teaching, virtual assisting, writing, and more.
Spectroomz*: Job listings and very affordable training for remote jobs autistic adults will love.
Workability: Connects neurodiverse and disabled talent with inclusive employers worldwide.
* indicates the site specializes in remote jobs
Freelance Work Search Sites
If you're looking for gig work to make some quick cash, these are legitimate sites where you can find some project-based work:
FlexJobs (not free)
Training Sites
Freelancing School: Basically a recipe for starting a business, this site provides an overview of the full process, followed up with specific instructions for how to complete each step.
Spectroomz: Very affordable training for remote jobs autistic adults tend to enjoy. The site also includes hand-curated job postings for jobs requiring these skills.