LABOUR FORCE PARTICIPATION
As with restrictions in education, autism also correlates with restrictions in participating in the labour force. In 2009, the labour force participation rate for people with autism was 34%. This compares with 54% labour force participation rate for people with disabilities and 83% for people without disabilities.
This has implications for the economic security of people with autism. Without jobs, they lack the financial freedom to make decisions about their lives and miss out on other aspects of working such as the social networks that people develop through work. These help to give a person the resources to cope with the challenges they may face in life. The National Disability Strategy notes "Employment contributes to mental health, personal well being and a sense of identity". These are issues people with autism may be struggling with because of their condition anyway, with lower labour force participation potentially making it worse.
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