What interview adjustments are recommended as autism accommodations?

PostedDecember 19, 2025

UpdatedDecember 19, 2025

ByMy Patient Advice

Author: Hannah Smith, MSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Job interviews can be particularly challenging for autistic people, and according to NHS guidance, reasonable adjustments are a legal right under the Equality Act. These adjustments make the interview process fairer, focusing on ability rather than communication style or sensory barriers.

Understanding Interview Adjustments

NHS Employers (2025) explains that interview accommodations should include clear, structured questions, advance access to information, and flexible formats such as written or online interviews. Similarly, NHS England’s Core Policy (2025) encourages identifying, recording, and reviewing these adjustments to ensure equitable recruitment for autistic candidates.

The National Autistic Society (NAS) advises that simple measures—like allowing extra time to answer, providing questions in advance, or avoiding abstract hypotheticals—can make a significant difference. Employment Autism (2025) also recommends reducing sensory overload by using quiet rooms, limiting panel sizes, and offering virtual or work-trial alternatives.

Evidence and Research

Research continues to support the benefits of structured and strengths-based approaches. A 2023 study published in Frontiers in Psychiatry found that tailored interview preparation focusing on an individual’s strengths improved both confidence and performance for autistic candidates.

Autistica’s Neurodiversity Employers Index (2024) shows that organisations using structured, sensory-aware, and feedback-oriented interview methods see higher hiring satisfaction and retention rates. NICE guidance (2024) further highlights that communication differences and sensory needs should be accommodated in all assessment and employment interactions, consistent with the WHO ICD-11 definition of autism (6A02).

Practical Support and Implementation

For employers, adjustments are not only about compliance but about inclusion. Creating a calm, predictable environment and offering multiple response formats can reveal strengths that standard interviews might miss. For autistic applicants, preparing with trusted support networks or workplace mentors can reduce anxiety and enhance communication.

Takeaway

Small, evidence-based interview adjustments can create big opportunities. When employers focus on fairness, structure, and understanding, autistic candidates are empowered to show their true strengths.

If you or someone you support would benefit from early identification or structured autism guidance, visit Autism Detect, a UK-based platform offering professional assessment tools and evidence-informed support for autistic individuals and families.

Hannah Smith, MSc

Author

Hannah Smith is a clinical psychologist with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and over three years of experience in behaviour therapy, special education, and inclusive practices. She specialises in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and inclusive education strategies. Hannah has worked extensively with children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, Down syndrome, and intellectual disabilities, delivering evidence-based interventions to support development, mental health, and well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy.

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Reviewer

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewer's privacy.