New research aims to improve the work life of office workers with ADHD and autism

How are employees with ADHD and autism affected by today’s flexible work environment and alternative office solutions? Researchers at the University of Gävle will investigate this in a new project funded by AFA Insurance with four million kronor.

The project is led by Åsa Samuelsson, a researcher in occupational health science at the University of Gävle. The focus is on white-collar workers with neuropsychiatric disabilities (NPD), primarily ADHD and autism, and how the organizational and social work environment affects their ability to maintain a sustainable working life.

“There is relatively little Swedish research on the work environment for this group, especially in relation to today’s flexible work life and various types of office solutions. At the same time, we see that more and more people with NPDs are entering the labor market and that the need for knowledge on these issues is growing,” says Åsa Samuelsson.

Collaboration with Attention and Autism Sweden

The researchers will investigate how factors such as remote work, hybrid work, flexible hours, and the ability to decide for oneself how work is carried out—as well as how different office solutions, such as activity-based offices, affect this group.

“Many people with NPF achieve a high level of education and work as white-collar employees, but not all of them have been given the right conditions in the workplace. This represents both a human and a socioeconomic waste of talent that goes to waste,” says Åsa Samuelsson.

The project will specifically study differences in the work environment for white-collar workers with NPF who work in the private sector versus those in municipalities and regions. Data collection will take place through surveys and interviews on two occasions each during the course of the project.

An important part of the research is the collaboration with the advocacy organizations Riksförbundet Attention and Autism Sweden, which together have nearly 40,000 members and will contribute to the data collection and the reference group.

Lack of Research on Women with NPF

The researchers hope that the results will lead to concrete recommendations for employers and contribute to a more sustainable work life for white-collar workers with NPF.

“We need more knowledge about how modern working life functions for people with NPF. Previous research in this area has often examined either ADHD or autism separately. But today we know that these diagnoses often occur simultaneously (AuDHD), which is why it is important that we also study this group in greater depth. Furthermore, women with NPF need to be studied specifically. So far, most research on NPF has been based on boys and men, while girls and women have largely been overlooked, says Åsa Samuelsson. Since women account for the majority of sick leave today, this is a group that deserves closer attention.

The project will begin in the fall of 2026 and run for three years. The initiative also includes a doctoral project.