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Abstract: Stalking behavior in the workplace by individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can be problematic and complicated for employers to address. Often employers have limited knowledge of the disorder and the unique social characteristics associated with ASD that place these individuals at risk for stalking. It is important that employers, employees with ASD, employment support providers, and employees without ASD understand the legal implications of stalking behavior as well as appropriate interventions. Interventions can include elements of positive behavior support such as a functional behavioral assessment along with an intervention plan. We discuss specific interventions that can be used in the work setting to improve social interaction and cover legal implications. Interventions include self-management tools, video feedback, participation in employee social skill groups, employer provided counseling benefit, and other possible support strategies. Becoming informed about legal protections in relation to stalking behavior can be addressed through understanding specific provisions of the American Disability Act and Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act.
Stalking behavior for supported employees with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) may be of concern as these individuals may have difficulty in correctly interpreting interper- sonal cues that signal that their contact with a person is unwanted, have an obsessive focus on the desired person, and ignore social or legal consequences putting them at risk for stalking behavior (Haskins & Silva, 2006). Em- ployees with ASD may unintentionally engage in stalking behaviors without realizing their behaviors may be interpreted by others as stalking. This unintentional stalking can be the result of an inability to understand the viewpoint of others, attend to other's social cues, and not understanding that obsessive focus or fixations on others is considered intrusive by most people (Attwood, 2007; Hagland & Webb, 2009; Thompson, 2007). The stalking literature refers to a person en- gaging in inappropriate romantic and/or sex- ual behavior as being an intimacy seeker or an incompetent suitor thus subjecting this per- son to criminal charges against them for stalk- ing (Attwood, 2007; Mullen, Pathe, & Purcell, 2000). This article presents current perspec- tives on what stalking is and how it applies to employees with ASD, a general overview of legal implications for stalking behavior in em- ployment settings, and guidelines for using interventions to address stalking...