Employment Support Group (ESG)

The Employment Support Group is open to Autistic individuals of legal working age across Nova Scotia. 

Participants may be: 

• Currently employed
• Unemployed or looking for work
• Underemployed
• Self-employed
• Exploring career options
• Returning to employment
• Considering a career change
• Interested in learning from the workplace experiences of other Autistic people
• You do not need to be currently employed to participate, and a formal autism diagnosis is not required. 

ESG is conversational and participant-led. Topics may change from session to session based on what participants are interested in discussing. 

Conversations may include: 

• Workplace communication
• Workplace relationships
• Accommodations and self-advocacy
• Disclosure and deciding whether to disclose
• Interviews and job searching
• Starting a new job
• Workplace expectations
• Burnout and work-life balance
• Masking in professional environments
• Executive functioning and time management
• Career changes and transitions
• Confidence in the workplace
• Navigating misunderstandings and conflict
• Returning to work after time away
• Self-employment and exploring different ways of working

Participants are never expected to share personal experiences they are not comfortable discussing. 

There is no single “right” way to participate in ESG. 

You are welcome to engage in whatever way feels most comfortable for you. This may include speaking during discussions, using the Microsoft Teams chat, reacting with emojis, keeping your camera or microphone off, listening without speaking, taking time to reflect before responding, or participating differently from one session to the next. 

There is no expectation to contribute verbally, and all forms of participation are valued. 

Attendance is flexible. Once registered, you are welcome to join any sessions that fit your schedule, and you do not need to attend every session. 

From September through December 2026, the Employment Support Group will meet biweekly on Fridays from 7:00–8:00 p.m. 

Sessions are held virtually through Microsoft Teams. 

Registered participants will receive a reminder approximately 24 hours before each session, followed by a day-of-session email containing the Microsoft Teams link. 

Registration is required before attending. Please contact the facilitator at esg@autismns.ca to register. 

The facilitator will ask for some basic information about your employment interests, participation preferences, and anything that may help make the group more accessible and comfortable for you. 

Looking for a Women-Centred and Gender-Diverse Employment Support Space? 

Autism Nova Scotia also offers the Women’s Employment Support Group (WESG), a women-centred and gender-diverse employment support space for Autistic individuals seeking this type of peer environment. 

Participants who are eligible are welcome to participate in both groups. 

Learn more about the Women’s Employment Support Group:
https://www.autismnovascotia.ca/programs/womens-employment-support-group