Autism and meaningful work: one employer’s learning experience
Autism is Not The End of The World
By Jonathan Laloz · Originally published 20 October 2020
Original article
Jonathan Laloz is the CEO of Self++, a company dedicated to helping neurodiverse people become independent through peer coaching and training.
Autism is what it is.
A new baby becomes the latest member of the family. With that comes absolute joy and happiness for every member of that family, particularly for the parents of course. Even though this newborn knows next to nothing about all these people and who they are, the little one is already under a million expectations.
As a parent, you may paint a picture of the future you want for your child; what they'll study at university or TAFE, what sports they’ll play, or the kind of friends they hang out with. A list of "parent's expectations" will typically run much longer than that, but you get the gist. However, down the line, the unexpected signs start to manifest. You might have read somewhere that these are 'red flags'. Naturally, you’re afraid of the worse, but hope for the best. So, as all well-meaning parents would do, you seek the help of a professional. But then, the doctor sitting across the table says; "your child meets the criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder."
On hearing that word - autism - you feel your world come crashing down. The walls caving in. And all those ‘expectations’ you once had, you feel them leave you just as fast as air fizzles out a deflating balloon. This isn’t part of the picture you painted for your child. This isn’t part of the script you wrote. But it is the reality, for you and your child.
Life can be what it should be.
Throughout my life, I have displayed behaviours and attributes that are consistent with people on the autism spectrum, without having a formal diagnosis. Over the years, I've had and overcome difficulties with social interactions, heightened sensory processing and behaviour, which are all characteristics of Autism. It wasn't all smooth sailing, nor did I expect it to be. However, the bottom line is, these challenges are not insurmountable. Thankfully, I've done very well in my education, career and other aspects of life. A normal life you'd associate with any typical person you meet on the streets. That is my reality. And no, my circumstance is nothing peculiar. There are many autistic adults and people with disabilities who have done similar for themselves despite being written off early on in life.
I started a business selling Lego® Bricks in early 2018. In general, we buy the sets and sell individual pieces to customers as they request them. To give you an idea of what filling an order usually entails, this is what we do:
- go through the list of items the customer wants
- find the drawer the Lego pieces are in
- count the pieces
- put them in the order
- pack the order, and
- add a mailing label and postage stamps.
While many of these tasks may not be too difficult, it can certainly be a real challenge for someone with ASD, who typically has issues with coordination and communication.
[Clickability update, October 2026: Autistic people have varied strengths, experiences and support needs. This generalisation should not be used to decide what a particular worker can do. Healthdirect explains individual variation and common misunderstandings.]
My close friend’s son started working for me towards the end of that same year. Just as you would for any new intake, I started him off with the simplest of tasks, before gradually introducing him to more complex ones. Since he joined, he has learned and is still learning. (In some instances his attention to detail and thoroughness has even resulted in a lower rate of errors than what I can achieve). Since he started working with me, some of the tasks he’s become quite proficient at include:
- Assisting me to fill orders - counting pieces
- Separating Lego sets into individual pieces
- Picking entire orders by himself
- Picking multiple orders at once by himself
- Packing orders
- Handling minor issues with orders
- Printing mailing labels and applying postage stamps
- Doing data entry for new inventory
- Ordering and paying for parcel labels
Once he’s developed some sort of mastery in the tasks I’ve taught him, I will introduce him to newer, more complex tasks. He’s even at the stage now where his older sister has also started working with me, and is currently teaching her how to do different tasks in the business. Next, I plan on teaching him how to research what sets to buy through shopping catalogues. In the process, he’d learn more practical living skills like finding information and using a computer. Also, he’d learn some real job skills like using our internal tools to evaluate the profitability of a set. Overall, he’ll learn to make good decisions based on the available data while sticking to certain guides and principles. An exercise I’m excited about and look forward to.
From the feedback I’ve received from his parents and other support workers, I can see how I’ve helped contribute positively towards him finding greater happiness and success, as I have found in the experience. Perhaps, the greater influence has been the one the experience that he has had on me. Which is simply the inspiration to help people with intellectual disabilities become independent.
People on the Autism spectrum and with other disabilities, with the right support and help, can find and keep a meaningful job. With a sense of purpose, they see their levels of confidence increase, go on and develop new relationships at work, and leverage such relationships to lead life as it should be. From all indications, if we provide the right help and support to participants on the autism spectrum and those with other learning disabilities, they not only survive but thrive like the rest of their peers.
Clickability editorial update: October 2026
How participants can discuss the work and assistance they want
Explain the tasks you enjoy, how you prefer instructions and which adjustments are useful. Ask for clear expectations and an opportunity to give feedback. Another worker’s success does not mean you must follow the same learning sequence or accept the same job.
The employer’s account can suggest questions about training, but it is not an assessment of your abilities or a guarantee of employment.
Use individual feedback to shape training and workplace support
Ask the person what works, demonstrate tasks clearly and review adjustments together. Avoid assuming every autistic worker has the same coordination or communication needs. Autism information distinguishes autism from intellectual disability; support should follow the individual rather than the label.
Questions readers ask
Does autism automatically mean intellectual disability?
No. They are distinct and may co-occur. Official guidance
Does this account establish a diagnosis for the author?
No. The author explicitly describes not having a formal diagnosis.
Find support for the skills and work goals you want to develop
Describe your disability-related service needs through Clickability. Compare profiles and reviews and ask how assistance can fit your own goals.