Over 70% of autistic adults in the UK are unemployed.
Some assume we’re just lazy couch potatoes.
Others insist we lack the necessary skills to succeed.
You may have even started to believe these lies.
Do yourself a favour and forget them.
Autistics aren’t incapable.
In fact, we often outperform our neurotypical counterparts when given the opportunity.
The issue is that our opportunities are severely limited as our needs are rarely met in the workplace.
My aim with this guide is to help you access employment, bypass allistic standards and build a thriving business from the comfort of home.
Although self-employment isn’t your only option, I think you’d be making a mistake to write it off without trying.
Through self-employed, you can:
✿ Earn from your interests
✿ Take breaks when you’re overwhelmed
✿ Complete tasks at your own pace in your own space
You’ll be able to avoid/reduce:
✿ Autistic burnout and overwhelm
✿ Offices that are lit like Christmas trees
✿ The pressure to mask your autistic traits
✿ Cardboard uniforms and senseless small talk
✿ Awkward interviews with confusing questions
✿ Overbearing bosses who time your toilet breaks
The list goes on and on, as I’m sure you’re aware.
This post contains over 70 autism-friendly income streams, all of which can be carried out remotely.
Good luck, autistic amigo.
You’ve got this!
Start a blog
No, blogging didn’t die!
Blogs are still alive, thriving and extremely lucrative.
Many bloggers make $10,000+ per MONTH. Yes, really. Unfortunately, I’m not one of them.
(I tried to insert a tiny violin but my theme wouldn’t let me, so just imagine a sad soundtrack)
However, my new, tiny blog made $257 this month with less than 40 visitors.
While that isn’t an awful lot, it’s a promising start and I must admit, I’m over the moon!
I started from scratch and didn’t share my name, show my face, use social media or tell anyone about my endeavour.
100% of my blog’s visitors were complete strangers who found me via Google.
The best part? The topic is my special interest.
CRUISING!
I can’t teach you how to make millions but I can show you the first steps you’ll need to take to begin your blogging journey and make your first $100.
Recommended blogging resources:
- Bluehost (hosting for under $3 + free domain)
- Divi drag and drop builder (user-friendly blog theme with professionally made templates)
- ConvertKit (email marketing software to build your blog’s subscriber list)
I created a free course that walks you through the entire set up process, which includes free one-on-one support.
Sell AI art on Etsy
Another excellent online job for autistics is selling AI art on Etsy.
I opened my Etsy store two months ago and made my first sale within 21 hours.
I’ve made 82 sales so far (£230) and I’m so close to achieving star seller status.
Fingers crossed I’ll get there this month!
If you’re unfamiliar with AI art, it doesn’t require any artistic skills whatsoever.
You won’t need to handle physical products or take any trips to the post office.
Your customers will download your designs and print them from home.
You simply ask an AI tool of your choice to imagine a concept and it spits it out for you.
Your only job is to stock your store and Etsy takes care of the marketing.
Unlike blogging, generating AI art is the kind of task you can do from bed when you’re burned out with a movie on in the background.
Although I find selling on Etsy easier than blogging, I don’t enjoy it half as much as writing about cruise ships.
Honestly? I don’t imagine I’ll pursue this for much longer as I want to go all in on cruising!
Online Teacher / Course Creator
Do you have expertise in an area?
If so, consider creating and selling an online course.
With a course, you can put in the work once and reap the rewards forever.
My partner sells philosophy courses and made his first $4,000 before he even created his course by pre-selling to his audience.
However, you don’t need an audience to start selling.
You can start from zero, which is where most people start, or drive paid traffic to your course if you invest in ads or sponsor influencers in your niche.
If you take the organic route, it’ll take a while but you don’t need a huge audience to do well.
I made next to nothing when I had 170,000 YouTube subscribers so believe me when I say having an audience isn’t everything!
My partner only has 15,000 YouTube subscribers and makes much more than I did because of his course.
I depended on sporadic sponsorships and adsense. If I could rewind time or do it all again, I wouldn’t do it without creating a course.
It’d be my top priority!
Start a YouTube channel
As an autistic with selective mutism, I’m not much of a conversationalist.
I’m a very solitary creature and I HATE cameras!
I could barely string a sentence together when I started uploading to YouTube and felt physically sick every time I pressed publish but I’m so glad I faced my fear.
There’s no escaping the fact that your first content will be your worst.
If you scroll back to the beginnings of any YouTuber who is brave enough to keep their first content public, you’ll be able to see their progress.
Don’t let this deter you.
YouTube can lead to some incredible opportunities.
I never imagined I’d work with Penguin Random House, be featured by MTV or be invited by Warner Bros to attend red carpet events but it happened.
One thing worth mentioning, however, is that existing online can become exhausting.
The YouTube algorithm rewards consistency so there’s little sense in uploading sporadically when inspiration strikes.
If you can’t manage weekly uploads, don’t waste your time.
Still unconvinced because of the social aspect?
Remain anonymous.
11 Anonymous YouTube channel ideas.
Video Editor
If you’re completely against the idea of being a YouTuber, why not work behind the scenes as an editor?
Don’t worry if you don’t already know how to edit.
If new YouTubers can start from scratch, learn how to script, set up, talk to a camera, market their content and edit, you can definitely manage one part of the process.
There are hundreds of free tutorials available at your fingertips.
Learn a little bit every day and when you’re ready, create a sizeable portfolio to showcase your work.
You can list your services on freelancing sites such as Upwork, Fiverr and ytjobs.co.
Alternatively, ask around.
Find out if you know anyone who would be interested in being the face and/or voice of a YouTube channel.
From there, you can come to an agreement on your commission for editing the content.
This way, when they grow, you grow.
Of course, you could charge a flat fee for your services but you’ll be fast-tracking yourself to a dead end.
You’ll be stuck exchanging your time for money.
The face of the channel will reap most of the rewards when your efforts finally start paying off, which isn’t ideal!
I highly suggest being paid on results, especially considering this is how YouTubers are paid.
They can’t pay you if they aren’t being paid so it makes sense to agree on a commission.
It’s simple and makes a lot of sense.
Lewis recently teamed up with an editor and gives him 100% of the ad revenue for the first $1,000.
Anything after the first $1,000 is split 50/50.
He’s more than happy with this arrangement because he makes
most of his money from course sales, not from the ads on his videos.
However, he needs video views to generate course sales.
Editing took up too much of his time and creating multiple videos per week was near impossible.
Now he has the perfect arrangement.
His editor is incentivised to help the channel succeed and both parties are paid on performance.
It’s a win-win scenario.
Other creators and streamers have similar arrangements so it’s not unheard of.
You’ll just need to find someone who is happy to give you a cut, which shouldn’t be too difficult.
I’m sure you’ll be able to find someone somewhere.
Join relevant discord servers, subreddits and other online communities.
Shy bairns get nowt so ask about!
I’d be shocked to see anyone who’s serious about their content creation business turn down a deal like this.
It’s almost too good to be true.
Keep in mind you aren’t limited to working with one YouTuber.
Nor are you limited to YouTube videos. There’s a lot of cash in courses.
I edited my Lewis’ $400 philosophy course and make 10% commission on every sale.
I did the work once and still reap rewards for the work I put in two years ago.
Working for free was something I had to do to get to this point and if you’re unwilling to take that sort of risk, self employment really isn’t for you.
Social media manager assistant
Sounds more social than it is.
I assure you, this one is hermit friendly.
Your role as an assistant will depend entirely upon your client’s unique needs.
The job sometimes entails, but is not limited to:
- Social media feed curation (creating enticing graphics accompanied by engaging captions)
- Scheduling posts in advance
- Writing email marketing sequences
- Networking with potential sponsors
- Arranging collaborations with similar creators
- Identifying trends
- Responding to followers
- Email outreach
You don’t need a degree but you’d be doing yourself a disservice to apply without proving you’re up to the job.
It’d be worth curating your own social media feeds in a niche of your choice to showcase your work.
Alternatively, create a few unpublished feed mock-ups and put together a portfolio to showcase your abilities.
When you’re ready, list your services on freelancing sites such as Upwork and Fiverr.
If you’re unafraid of being bold, cold call.
Companies can be clueless.
Find a company who is making mistakes and audit them.
What mistakes are they making and how will your solutions help them?
Offer free, valuable advice but don’t reveal all your cards.
Start small and keep your true value behind a paywall.
You’ll be ignored and rejected more than you’re accepted but don’t let that deter you.
After all, you’re knocking on a door asking for a job that doesn’t exist if you cold call.
When I was a YouTuber, I received all sorts of offers from assistants and declined them all of them but one because they wanted a 30-40% of all my income.
All I needed was assistance with emails to weed out incompatible sponsors.
This job takes no more than 5-10 minutes per day.
The assistant I took on was fired after a few weeks because she messed up a sponsor.
The brand had agreed to $3,000 and she took it down to $200 because she didn’t bother to read the back and forth emails I’d forwarded her.
Total nightmare!
If you look for work as an assistant, you really need to go above and beyond for your client and avoid making stupid mistakes like this one.
You’re asking someone to trust you with their brand so be careful and take it seriously.
Don’t ask for more than your efforts are worth.
Rather than overcharging because you’re relying on one client, secure a few roles with a few brands and/or creators.
Some assistants take on ten or more creators.
I’ve no idea how they manage that many but they’re out there!
Freelance blog/website writer
Writers are needed in every niche imaginable.
If you have expertise in an area and don’t fancy becoming a blogger, you can always work for bloggers and website owners.
Even if you do give blogging a go, it can take up to six months to drive traffic via Google.
While you wait for your traffic to treacle in, use your blog as a portfolio to land paid work.
I once worked as a freelance writer for a women’s website.
No research was required and I got to choose the topics, so long as they were relevant to women.
They paid $300 for 600 words, which isn’t bad at all.
To put it into perspective, this post is currently 3,500 words and I’m writing this with no upfront payment or any guarantee my efforts will ever be rewarded.
It’s highly likely this post will take a while to generate income but like all entrepreneurs, I’m working for free.
This isn’t a risk you take as a freelance writer.
When I worked as a freelance writer, I’d submit three pieces per month, which took me no more than a few hours to complete.
I don’t say this to devalue my work but I was definitely overpaid!
Unfortunately, the website fell off the face of the internet without warning.
They didn’t even tell me I didn’t have a job anymore!
One day they were there and then poof, gone forever. The lesson to learn here is not to depend on one business.
For best results, secure a few positions if there’s no contract.
To get started as a freelance writer, create a writing portfolio and list your services on Upwork or Fiverr.
It would also be worth reaching out directly to larger websites to ask about any available/upcoming opportunities.
If you scroll to the bottom of their site, you’ll sometimes be able to see if they’re hiring.
Opportunities aren’t going to come knocking on your door.
Then again, if you publish independently, there’s no knowing who could approach you if they like what they see.
A blog would be your best bet if you’re hoping to be scouted.
Other Autism-Friendly jobs
The following income streams are areas I have no expertise in or experience with, whatsoever.
These are jobs which can be carried out from home, as far as I’m aware, but you’ll need to do a little digging to learn more.
Virtual assistant
Offer administrative, organizational, or technical support remotely.
Web development
Build and design websites for clients.
Graphic design
Create visual designs, logos, illustrations, or infographics.
Online Marketing
Assist with digital marketing strategies, including SEO, social media, and email marketing.
Copyediting & proofreading
Review and edit written material for grammar, spelling, and clarity.
Transcription
Convert audio or video recordings into written documents.
Data entry
Input data into databases or spreadsheets.
E-commerce store management
Manage and optimise online stores, including product listings, inventory, and customer service.
Online surveys & market research
Participate in online surveys or provide feedback for market research companies.
Language translation
Translate written or spoken content between different languages.
Voice-over artist
Provide voice recordings for commercials, audiobooks, videos, or podcasts.
Podcasting
Create and produce your own podcast in a niche of your choice.
Virtual event planning
Assist in organising and managing online events, webinars, or conferences.
Online coaching or mentoring
Offer one-on-one guidance and support to clients in specific areas of expertise or personal development.
Software or app development
Create software programs or mobile applications.
Online bookkeeping
Provide accounting and bookkeeping services remotely.
Online therapy or counselling
Become a licensed therapist or counsellor and offer remote sessions.
Online fitness instruction
Provide virtual fitness classes or personal training sessions.
Online music instruction
Teach music lessons remotely.
Online art instruction
Teach art techniques or provide art lessons through video tutorials.
SEO consulting
Help businesses improve their search engine rankings and optimise their online presence.
App testing
Test mobile applications or software for functionality, usability, and user experience.
Resume writing
Assist individuals in creating professional resumes and cover letters.
Online medical transcription
Transcribe medical dictations and records for healthcare professionals.
Online travel planning
Assist individuals in planning their travel itineraries, booking flights, and accommodations.
Online customer support
Provide customer service and support via email, chat, or phone.
Online data analysis
Analyse data sets and provide insights or reports to clients.
Online advertising
Manage and optimise online advertising campaigns for businesses.
Language tutoring
Teach language skills to students through online lessons.
Online personal shopping
Help clients find and purchase items online based on their preferences.
Online resume editing
Edit and optimise resumes to make them stand out to potential employers.
Online moderation
Monitor online communities, forums, or social media platforms for inappropriate content or behaviour.
Online fundraising
Assist nonprofits or individuals in raising funds through online campaigns or events.
Online marketplaces
Sell products or services on platforms like Amazon, eBay, or Etsy.
Online nutrition consulting
Provide one-on-one expert nutrition advice and personalised plans.
Online interior design
Assist clients in designing and decorating their spaces remotely.
Online grant writing
Help organisations and individuals write grant proposals to secure funding.
Online event coordination
Coordinate and plan virtual events, including logistics, scheduling, and participant management.
Online language interpretation
Provide real-time interpretation services in different languages during online meetings or conferences.
Pet services
Offer pet sitting, dog walking, or pet grooming services through online platforms.
Online life coaching
Provide guidance and support to individuals seeking personal or professional development.
Online meditation or mindfulness instruction
Lead virtual meditation sessions or teach mindfulness techniques.
Online financial planning
Help individuals or businesses create and manage financial plans remotely.
Live streamer
Stream live on platforms like Twitch, Kick and YouTube to build a community.
Online editing and proofreading for academic papers
Review and edit research papers or dissertations for students and researchers.
Online tech support
Provide technical assistance and troubleshooting for software, hardware, or IT-related issues.
Online language proofreading
Proofread and edit documents written by non-native English speakers.
Online market research analysis
Analyse market trends, competitors, and consumer behaviour to provide insights for businesses.
Online fundraising campaign management
Create and manage online fundraising campaigns for nonprofits or charitable organisations.
Online social media advertising
Manage and optimise social media advertising campaigns to reach target audiences.
Online project management
Coordinate and oversee projects remotely, ensuring tasks are completed on time and within budget.
Online academic tutoring
Provide academic support and tutoring services for students in various subjects.
Online business consulting
Offer expertise and advice on business strategies, operations, or marketing.
Online legal consulting
Provide legal advice and guidance to clients on various legal matters.
Online stock trading or investing
Engage in stock trading or investment activities through online platforms.
Online social media influencer management
Assist social media influencers in managing their brand.
Online resume design
Create visually appealing and professional resumes for clients.
Online proofreading for ebooks
Review and edit eBooks for authors and publishers.
Online ghostwriting
Write books, articles, or blog posts on behalf of clients who may not have the time or writing skills.
Online transcription for focus groups
Transcribe focus group discussions or interviews.
Online event ticketing
Manage online ticketing systems for events, including ticket sales and customer support.
Online data visualisation
Create visually engaging and informative charts, graphs, and infographics for data analysis.
Blogging outreach assistant
Reach out to bloggers who are compatible with your client to acquire backlinks.
Flip social media feeds
Curate social media feeds to sell to companies or individuals.
If you’d like to work on a larger scale, consider building blogs, YouTube channels or websites to sell.
Pinterest manager/assistant
Curate Pinterest feeds and schedule posts in advance for your client.
I’ve got my fingers crossed for you!
I hope this guide has been helpful.
Remember to diversify your sources of income so all your eggs aren’t in one basket, just don’t get too carried away.
If you find yourself trying to juggle more than you can manage, you’ve developed shiny object syndrome.
Should this occur, don’t be afraid to murder your darlings.
Holding on to every entrepreneurial endeavour you attempt will prevent you from progressing, never mind succeeding.
Chances are, you’ll fail a few times before you find something that works but don’t let that deter you.
Failure is the mother of success! Trust the process and be persistent.
If I missed something you think deserves a spot on this list, please get in touch!
Don’t hesitate to leave a comment if you have any questions at all.
I’m happy to help where I can!
Laura ✿
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