How Long Does it Last? The Enduring Benefits of Neurodiversity Training and Diagnostic Disclosure on Hiring Outcomes for Adults with ASD

Even when perceived as highly qualified, job candidates with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are less likely to be hired after a job interview than their neurotypical (NT) counterparts. However, when NT individuals receive training about neurodiversity and are aware of an ASD diagnosis, preliminary evidence suggests hiring outcomes for candidates with ASD are significantly more positive, at least when training occurs immediately before evaluation. This study examined whether the benefits of neurodiversity training coupled with diagnostic disclosure extend to the general population and persist over time. Participants included undergraduate students and individuals from the general U.S. population recruited through Prolific. They completed neurodiversity training either two weeks or two months before reviewing taped interviews of job candidates with and without ASD. They rated candidates on several social dimensions (e.g., trustworthiness, likeability, awkwardness) and indicated how likely they were to hire each candidate. Although candidates with ASD were rated less favorably on some social characteristics (e.g., awkwardness, similarity) relative to NT candidates, they were rated similarly on other dimensions (e.g., trustworthiness), and at both delays were just as likely to be hired as NT candidates. These findings suggest that evaluators who engage in neurodiversity training and receive diagnostic information about ASD candidates are favorably inclined to hire ASD candidates, and this positive disposition towards ASD candidates persists for several months after neurodiversity training.