The guide is designed to help employers understand autism and its potential to diversify and expand the pool of talent available to them.

It includes guidance and recommendations on reasonable adjustments that employers can make to recruitment processes, the workplace environment, support networks and how to treat employees as individuals.

According to the National Autistic Society, there are around 700,000 people on the autism spectrum in the UK and just 16% of autistic adults are in full-time, paid employment. Over three quarters ( 77%) of those who are unemployed say they want to work.

Matthew Trerise, co-author, said: “We must change the way we think about autism, have a lot more respect for the significant role autistic people have in society, and recognise the skills, strengths, honesty and integrity that this exceptional group of people bring to the workplace and our community.”

Adam O'Loughlin, head of policy, National Police Autism Association (NPAA) added: “Neurodiverse people are an untapped resource, particularly unemployed and under-employed autistic individuals, and only one in four are currently in employment. The causes are often complex, but include a lack of employer information, understanding and experience with autism.”