How a Simple Voicemail Test Could Help Autistic Young Adults Succeed at Work
Social communication differences may affect employment. Researchers are finding new ways to help.
Finding and keeping a job can be challenging for young adults, but it can be even more difficult for autistic youth. Some studies show that nearly two out of three autistic adults are unemployed. One big reason is not lack of talent or ability it is often communication style, which can be misread in the workplace sometimes affecting job interviews, relationships with supervisors, or teamwork.
Many autistic individuals may not use the same polite phrases that non-autistic people expect, such as those phrases which soften a request (“Would you mind helping me with this, please?” vs, “Help me with this.”) or offering thanks. While these differences can be interpreted as “rudeness,” they actually reflect diversity in how autistic and non-autistic people understand and use language.
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The
Key Takeaway:
Researchers found that workplace communication differences in autistic youth can be measured using simple tools like voicemail tests
Terms to Know:
Politeness markers: Words or phrases like “please,” “thank you,” or “would you mind” that show respect
Pragmatics: The social rules of language how we use words in different settings
Voicemail Elicitation Task: A role-play test where participants leave mock workrelated voicemail messages
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Researchers at Kessler Foundation studied whether leaving a voicemail message in a role-play scenario could be a straightforward way to measure these differences and improve workplace support.
What is “perceived impoliteness”?
Many autistic individuals communicate differently than non-autistic people. These differences are part of a broader area called pragmatics, which is the social side of language, such as initiating conversations, telling a story, or adjusting your words based on the situation. For example:
An autistic individual might say, “I need that report now!” instead of “Could you send me that report when you have a chance?”
Typical greetings like “Hi, how are you?” might be skipped, which others may see as lack of interest
Talking about non-workrelated topics may be excessive, or at the “wrong” time
In workplaces where politeness is expected, coworkers or bosses may misinterpret differences in communication as rudeness or lack of respect.
Study design at a glance 30 young people participated, ages 15 to 23
Parents filled out two questionnaires: The Social Responsiveness Scale, which measures social awareness and communication and The La Trobe Communication Questionnaire, which measures communication skills in daily life
Participants then completed the Voicemail Elicitation Task, an exercise where they left messages for four mock work situations, such as calling a boss or asking a coworker for help
What did the study show?
The study found that autistic participants used fewer polite phrases. The voicemail test produced consistent results that aligned with parent reports. In addition, lower test scores were linked to interview challenges and fewer work hours. These results indicated the test’s potential as a screening tool for workplace communication difficulties.
Why does this matter for jobs?
In job interviews and daily work, politeness often plays a key role. Using friendly phrases can build trust and smooth workplace interactions. When these phrases are missing, misunderstandings can happen.
What can you do?
If you are autistic and preparing for work:
Practice voicemail and email etiquette with a teacher, mentor, or job coach
Role-play work conversations, focusing on greetings and polite requests
Ask about communication support programs that teach workplace social skills
If you are an employer of an autistic individual:
Become more aware of communication differences, among your employees
Ask for clarification when someone is using a speech style different than yours
Keep an open mind about how communication styles may differ across autistic and nonautistic employees
Learn more:
The study, “Voicemail Elicitation Task: Potential workplace communication assessment tool for autistic individuals,” was published in Research in Autism (2025). The lead investigator was Heba E. Elsayed, MD, research scientist at Kessler Foundation.
To read the full study, scan the QR code at left or visit: doi.org/10.3389/fre sc.2025.1539887.
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