Autistica is the UK’s autism research and campaigning charity. Our goal is to double the employment rate for autistic people by 2030. We have been working on research and a small number of corporate partnerships for over seven years. We’re now looking to work with more companies than ever before.

Our research

We know that companies are keen to create neurodiverse teams, but most existing practices lack solid evidence for change. Since 2016, our research Discover Autism Research Employment (DARE), in collaboration with University College London, has been gathering data on neurodiversity in the workplace. We have run internship schemes and worked with companies to gather data from neurotypical and neurodiverse employees and managers, as well as from autistic jobseekers. We have put together key resources, recommendations and best-practice guidance, based on world-leading research evidence, for companies across a broad range of sectors, sizes and functions.

Our partnerships

Our corporate partnerships began with an award-winning collaboration with Deutsche Bank where we piloted an internship scheme for autistic jobseekers. The partnership model was so successful that it was adopted for multiple schemes across the world. Since then, we have worked with companies such as the global technology company Fujitsu to help them understand how to better recruit, support and retain autistic and neurodivergent staff.


We really appreciate the evidence-led approach Autistica take to improving neurodiversity within the workplace. We’ve engaged staff in their research and resources and it’s noticeably opened up the conversation.

Craig Hall, Head of Charity Corporate Partnerships UK&I, Fujitsu


Our 2030 plan

In 2022 we launched the Autistica Employment Plan which explains the projects we will carry out to double the employment rate for autistic people. This involves working with companies, government and service providers, alongside autistic people.

How we can support you

We want to help companies to get better at recruiting, retaining and supporting autistic and neurodivergent staff. Register today to access our Employers Guide to Neurodiversity and you will get ongoing updates on new resources, tools and events. We have plans to launch a Neurodiversity Employers Index - a gold-standard framework and recommendations to being a neuroinclusive organisation. And will will be releasing more evidence-based resources over the coming months.