Personnel with developmental disabilities
Support for demonstrating abilities in employment

Social issues to be addressed

People with developmental disorder characteristics (*1) are able to demonstrate their abilities by matching their characteristics with the environment, and there are many examples of them being successful, mainly overseas. However, in Japan, the employment rate is lower than for other types of disabilities, such as physical disabilities, and the Japan Research Institute estimates that there are 2.4 million unemployed people (*2). One of the direct causes of this situation is thought to be the lack of reasonable consideration given to the characteristics of developmental disorders in the workplace.

On the other hand, given that developmental disorders are characterized by difficulties in viewing oneself objectively and communicating with others, it is difficult for people with developmental disorders to seek reasonable accommodations and take action on their own when they are not well matched to the work environment. As a result, there are many cases of people with developmental disorders being unable to fully demonstrate their abilities at work, experiencing repeated failures, and suffering from mental health problems due to the accumulation of maladjustment, leading to unstable employment and long-term inability to work. In addition, from the perspective of society as a whole, the fact that people with developmental disorders are not able to fully utilize their abilities is an issue that must be addressed immediately from the perspective of securing the workforce during a period of rapid population decline.

(*1) What are developmental disorders?

　People with developmental disorders are born with a different brain function, which means that their perceptions, feelings, and behavior patterns differ from those of typically developing people (people without developmental disorders), and this can easily cause problems in their daily lives. Although there are things they are not good at, if their characteristics and environment match, their "weaknesses" can turn into "strengths." For example, they can make use of their strengths in the form of meticulousness and carefulness, logical thinking and behavior, a wealth of ideas, high motivation, and concentration.

　Symptoms vary from person to person, and some people have symptoms that are difficult for others to see, and it is common for multiple developmental disorders to overlap. In addition to the symptoms shown in the diagram, people may also be diagnosed with a developmental disorder if they have persistent tics or stuttering.

(*2) Source: Estimated by the Japan Research Institute based on the Japan Student Services Organization's "Survey on the Actual Situation Regarding Support for Students with Disabilities at Universities, Junior Colleges, and Colleges of Technology in FY2022 (Reiwa 4) - Results Report," the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' "Reiwa 4 Information and Communications White Paper," and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's "Survey Results on Children and Students Who Require Special Educational Support Enrolled in Regular Classes (Reiwa 4)"

approach

This research will focus on work and tasks in advanced and cutting-edge IT fields. In particular, in advanced and cutting-edge IT fields where attention to detail, tolerance for repetitive tasks, and immediate reactions are required, the characteristics of people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are expected to be advantageous, and there is a significant labor shortage, so it is expected that employment opportunities will be created. Specifically, we will quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate the following points, compile them as methods for improving the environment so that people with developmental disorder characteristics can thrive, and develop support systems and tools to disseminate and raise awareness.

(1) The relationship between "work content, environmental factors at the workplace, etc." and "physical and mental health status, etc. of people with developmental disorders (= performance at work)"

(2) The relationship between "communication between corporate management personnel and people with developmental disabilities" and "the performance and physical and mental health status of both parties"

What this project will do

• Measurement and analysis of the relationship between environmental factors and the mental and physical state of people with developmental disorders (in a laboratory)
• Survey of overseas cases
• Measuring the interactions between people with developmental disabilities and management in the work environment
• Establishment of support systems and tools for the effective operation of management methods in the practical environment
• Raising awareness of environmental improvements for people with developmental disabilities