"כמו לדבר בשפה זרה" - תובנות על מבוגרים אוטיסטים בעולם העבודה

The workplace plays a central role in the lives of all individuals, and particularly for autistic adults, for whom meaningful employment serves as an important source of self-worth, belonging, and social inclusion. Nevertheless, employment rates among autistic individuals remain especially low, and the barriers they encounter are not limited to individual characteristics but also involve organizational culture and interpersonal communication in the workplace. This article presents a case study of a young autistic woman working as an assistant in a kindergarten. The case study is part of a broader project based on interviews with autistic adults integrated into competitive employment in the open labor market. Drawing on the interview and the wider project, the article highlights several key insights and points for reflection: (1) understanding work as a field of interpersonal interactions, (2) the importance of prior knowledge about autism in the workplace and its implications for successful inclusion, (3) framing the inclusion of autistic employees as an organizational strength, and (4) the unique context of Israeli work culture. The article underscores the distinctive role of vocational and organizational psychologists in mediating between individuals and organizations, and in fostering more enabling and inclusive work environments.