Inspired by a 2020 collective awakening to societal inequalities, we introduce a conceptual framework to address systemic issues around employment for one of society’s vulnerable populations—people with autism. We do so as advocates, researchers, practitioners, a family member for one author, and an autistic individual for one author. We first draw upon ecological systems theory to develop a portrait of the complex ecosystem of employment for autistic individuals that reveals multilevel and interconnected influencing elements. We then apply learning from systems and resilience thinking to deepen understanding about how positive change can occur in such an ecosystem. Overall, we propose new paradigms, questions, and actions toward transformative change for this and other systemic challenges faced by vulnerable populations.

受 2020 年对社会不平等的集体觉醒的启发，我们引入了一个概念框架，以解决与社会弱势群体之一——自闭症患者的就业相关的系统性问题。我们作为倡导者、研究人员、实践者、一位作者的家庭成员和一位作者的自闭症人士这样做。我们首先利用生态系统理论来描绘自闭症个体就业的复杂生态系统，揭示多层次和相互关联的影响因素。然后，我们应用系统学习和弹性思维来加深对如何在这样的生态系统中发生积极变化的理解。总的来说，我们提出了新的范式、问题和行动，以应对弱势群体面临的这一挑战和其他系统性挑战。