Doing Good With Wood

Autism is a complex condition that is still not fully understood, despite a lot of research and relatively high prevalence. Most researchers today agree that autism is a ‘spectrum’, not just in terms of severity, but also in terms of symptoms, as it can manifest in ways that vary from person to person. This means that two people may have very different sets of symptoms but still both be diagnosable with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which is what we usually mean by ‘autism’. About 3% of children are currently being diagnosed with ASD by age 8, however not everyone with the condition will be identified during childhood, and many may go their whole lives without a diagnosis, with older people much more likely to have undiagnosed autism than children growing up now. The criteria are set by the medical establishment and assessed in individuals by diagnosticians, so there’s a degree of subjectivity involved in defining this boundary and it remains an area of debate.

Challenges in the Workplace

Many people with autism face severe developmental challenges, with around 1 in 3 people in the UK diagnosed with autism also having a learning disability. However, not everyone with autism has such a disability, and even those who do may still be extremely proficient at certain things. In fact, some of the symptoms of autism such as obsession with topics of interest, repetitive behaviour, a preference for detailed reasoning, and a lack of conformity to convention can be an advantage, not only in stereotypical fields like finance and technology but also roles in a wide range of areas like music, design or martial arts.

Despite these proficiencies, it’s very common for autistic people to struggle in traditional work environments, even if they have the right skills. This is because the condition also tends to come with limitations such as:

• Intense sensitivity to sensations like particular sounds, smells or fabrics
• A lack of social proficiency or emotional awareness
• Difficulty picking up on subtext and unspoken rules
• A lack of knowledge or competence outside areas of interest
• Heavy reliance on routine and an inability to react quickly to changes
• Emotional dysregulation and stress

The mechanisms behind this are an area of active research, but it’s thought that they may relate to the way the brain processes information. At every moment our brains deal with a torrent of sensations, communications, thoughts, feelings and memories, which are processed into a manageable framework before they reach the conscious mind. In autistic people this process appears to work differently, meaning that activities as simple as sitting in an office with fluorescent lights, eating certain meals, holding a conversation while maintaining eye contact, or adapting to an unexpected situation can be confusing, painfully intense or emotionally draining. Around 90% of autistic people have some kind of sensory processing difference, making it as core to the condition as social difference.

The outward signs may include delayed, diminished or extreme responses, introversion, social awkwardness, discomfort and in extreme cases ‘meltdowns’ where overwhelming stress causes the person to shout or cry, or ‘shutdowns’ where they become partially or completely unresponsive for a time. Some autistic people are nonverbal, meaning they can’t speak, though they may be able to write or sign. Some attempts at treatment focus on trying to eliminate ‘abnormal’ behaviours, but this can result in simply training the person to imitate normal behaviours by rote and hide their condition, which is known as ‘masking’. Although masking can be a useful skill, it is mentally and emotionally demanding, and can further isolate the person because it limits their ability to express themselves in an authentic way.

Autistic people were once thought to be emotionally restricted or lack empathy, but it’s now thought that most autistic people experience a full range of emotion, but may struggle to express it. 50-85% of people with autism have alexithymia, a condition characterised by difficulty recognizing or communicating one’s own emotions. Recent research has also highlighted what’s known as the ‘double empathy problem’, the idea that the social challenges faced by autistic individuals are not solely due to deficits within the autistic person, but rather arise from mutual misunderstandings between autistic and non-autistic individuals. Once these differences are understood, many autistic people are capable of building deep bonds with others and in some studies score above the average in traits like honesty and loyalty.

Growing up with this condition, especially in a less than sympathetic environment, can cause lasting damage to confidence and mental health, as well as impacting academic attainment if for example the person is unable to sit exams or avoids classes due to bullying. Even once the person makes it to adulthood the demands of traditional working life, from passing interviews to dealing with a hectic workplace, often pose exceptional challenges even if the job itself is something they enjoy and excel at.

According to the Buckland Review, published in 2024, autistic people face the largest pay gap out of all disabled groups and are well below the average in terms of employment, with 30% of working-age autistic people in work, compared to 50% of disabled people overall and 80% of non-disabled people, despite most autistic people wanting to work. Even those who stay in education face significant challenges. Autistic graduates are twice as likely to be unemployed 15 months after leaving university as non-disabled graduates, with only 36% finding full time work. This means that talent is lost to the workplace, and that many people are needlessly left unvalued, socially isolated and financially insecure.

However, with the right environment and routine, many autistic people can be extremely productive, and if others understand their condition, the social limitations become much less problematic. This is why some groups prefer the term Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) to ASD, as many manifestations of the condition are not inherently disabling but become disabling only in the context of a hostile environment. Possible adjustments include things like reviewing the recruitment process for unintentional discrimination (for example unclear language in the job description or an interview process that demands shaking hands and making eye contact when this is irrelevant to the role), keeping the workplace clear of unpleasant stimuli, having clearly defined processes and responsibilities, respecting each person’s unique needs and communication style, and giving them space to calm down and refocus if they begin to get overwhelmed. Not only does this make the workplace more inclusive for autistic people, but because many people suffer from similar issues to a lesser degree, everyone can benefit from these adjustments.

“Working with timber at our wood recycling project offers unique benefits for the people we support, including those with autism. They take the lead in activities like denailing, removing screws, and tidying the yard which are central to running the project. These tasks provide a therapeutic and rewarding experience, fostering confidence, teamwork and a sense of accomplishment in an engaging environment.”

Learn more about this topic at:

• Why UK businesses must prioritise neuroinclusion | ACAS
• What support can I get at work as an autistic person? | National Autistic Society
• The Buckland Review of Autism Employment: Report and recommendations | GOV.UK

Celebrating its twentieth anniversary this June, Reseiclo Community Wood Recycling (Reseiclo) has grown significantly since its founding in 2005. Based in Newport’s Crindau area, the social enterprise now operates across South Wales, providing waste wood collection services from Swansea to the English border and beyond. Reseiclo began with a single contract with Taylor Woodrow and one small truck, and has since expanded to collect over 550 tonnes of wood waste annually.

Collaboration with Reseiclo Training

The organisation works closely with its sister company, Reseiclo Training. This social enterprise was established in April 2015 following the downsizing of the local Adult Training Centre (Bryn Glas), and offers an alternative day centre in a woodworking workshop environment for adults with learning disabilities, autism, mental health challenges, and dementia. It provides the people supported with the opportunity to:

• Learn basic woodworking in a real workshop setting.
• Develop interpersonal and social skills through teamwork and collaboration.
• Gain confidence and self-esteem by successfully carrying out tasks tailored to their abilities.
• Contribute to the community by creating affordable, bespoke wood products for local residents, from sheds to beds, and from bird houses to benches.

In 2023, Reseiclo Training also started running classes for schools and organisations where they teach how to make items like bird boxes and hedgehog homes.

From Volunteer to Managing Director

Managing Director Karl Lovesey’s journey with Reseiclo began in 2010 when he started as a volunteer. Karl shares his story:

“I was suffering from health problems and hadn’t been able to work. My wife came across Reseiclo in the local newspaper and suggested I try volunteering with them. I immediately felt at home and after volunteering for six months, I became a driver’s mate going out on collections. Three years later, I got my driver’s license and became a driver, taking on extra responsibilities.

“After a break elsewhere, I returned as a volunteer from 2018-2020 and then was taken on as assistant manager before moving to work at Reseiclo Training for a period. All this experience enabled me to take on the role of Managing Director when co-founder Trefor Puw retired in 2024.

“My journey with Reseiclo has been incredibly rewarding; it’s changed my life and given me a role I wouldn’t have dreamed of back when I first started volunteering. Now I’m inspired by the achievements of the people we support at Reseiclo Training. They have developed skills and independence beyond the expectations that many people had for them and they are a great bunch of people to get to spend time with.”

Looking Ahead

When Karl took over in June 2024, his experience with both organisations brought Reseiclo and Reseiclo Training even closer together. The future now looks bright with plans to improve facilities to store more wood, develop the team of staff and trainees and establish more community projects to help disadvantaged people in Newport.

Karl explains

“Our improvements will not only enhance the variety and quality of services we provide but also enable us to empower more disadvantaged individuals by offering them meaningful work and training opportunities. We believe in the potential of every person and we are dedicated to continue helping them build skills and confidence.”

To learn more about the training and recycling services at Reseiclo, visit their website.