A Self-Determination Theory Approach to Work Motivation of Autistic Adults: A Qualitative Exploratory Study.
Yael Goldfarb, Ofer Golan, Eynat Gal
PMID 34263411WHAT IT FOUND
For 12 employed autistic adults, work motivation centered on income, daily routine, and social connection rather than intrinsic interest.
Competence relied on explicit feedback, while autonomy required stable structure and clear choices to be felt.
Key findings
01Income and self-reliance were the most common work motivations, cited by ten participants, often linked to independence rather than high salary.
02The need for competence was satisfied through explicit feedback from managers and stable routines, with feelings of incompetence linked to job loss or unclear expectations.
03Autonomy was experienced as needing a structured environment with limited choices, rather than open-ended freedom, with eleven participants valuing choice when framed by clear expectations.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The sample was small (12 participants) and homogeneous, consisting only of autistic adults who were already employed and had at least a secondary education. Participants were recruited through vocational services, meaning they may have had more barriers to employment than the general autistic population. The study did not measure the relative importance of different motivations, only their presence. Findings cannot be generalized to unemployed autistic adults or those with intellectual disabilities.
Declared interests
The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The study was approved by the ethics committee of the first author’s university.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that autistic employees are motivated by intrinsic interest in their work tasks. This study found that for these participants, stability, income, and clear social structures were far more significant drivers than job enjoyment or career advancement.