Huvudbild för Vitalis 2026

Understanding Support Needs for Sustainable Work: Perspectives from Adults with ADHD and/or Autism [PCC195]

Onsdag 6 maj 2026 09:00 - 11:15 Poster Arena

Spår: Poster session, Patient & Public Involvement

Background: Adults with neurodevelopmental conditions often struggle to find a work situation that is sustainable over time without risking illness and exhaustion. They frequently do not receive the support they need to manage work in a way that promotes long-term health and stability. We aimed to identify what support adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and/or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) believe that they need to create a sustainable work situation. Method: A sample of Swedish adults with ADHD and/or ASD identified by medical records (N = 515) completed a web-based questionnaire with questions about their experiences and wishes regarding support to obtain or maintain work. We used content analysis to identify what type of support the participants had received, and what support they felt they needed, to reach a sustainable work situation. The questionnaire also included open-ended questions, allowing participants to elaborate on their personal experiences and reflect on what had helped or hindered them in previous work settings. Results: Preliminary results indicate that participants had received support consisting of predefined, typical interventions, that were not necessarily individualized. In contrast, their subjective needs involved gaining a better understanding of one's own needs, encountering tolerance and understanding, and being offered flexibility and continuity at work and in other areas of life. These needs were often described as essential for maintaining both mental health and long-term work ability. Conclusions: The preliminary results indicate a great difference between received and desired support. In particular, the results encourage more individualized, person-centered interventions, and identify a need to pay special attention to the timing, continuity, and flexibility of support. A better alignment between formal support structures and individual needs may contribute to more sustainable employment outcomes.
Språk

English

Konferens

GCPCC

GCPCC Kod

PCC195