Structure and whipped cream — working with autism at Bakker Goedhart

“I do wear gloves. I don't like things on my hands.” Sanne (22) works at Bakker Goedhart in Sevenum in the pastry department. Every day, she and her colleagues make the most delicious pies. “Very nice work,” she says. “And I know pretty much what to expect every day. That's important to me.” Because Sanne has autism. And for her, structure is more than pleasant: it is necessary to function properly.

From chef training to the bakery floor

Sanne trained as a chef, but working as a chef wasn't for her. Her environment encouraged her to train as a baker. A hit: “There is a lot of time pressure in the hospitality industry. You get an order and it has to be finished asap. In the bakery, you get a list in the morning, and you work on it over the day, which is much better.” Artisan bakeries are not the workplace for her — “You have to get up too early, and your social life is gone.” At Bakker Goedhart, working hours are ideal. The atmosphere in the team is pleasant. “While working, you can have a nice chat. There are also temporary workers who do not speak Dutch. I don't speak English well, but we manage just fine.”

Independent with backup

Openness was important to Sanne from the start. “In the job interview, I immediately said that I have autism. If I react differently, people know why.” Her fear of being rejected was unjustified: she was hired as a production employee. And she likes that very much. “I usually know what I need, I've also had guidance with that. But at work, I take care of it myself. Quite exciting at first, but it usually goes well.” Of course, not everything always goes according to plan in the bakery. But then the work planner offers the structure she needs: because he or she says what needs to be done. If that is not enough, she asks for an explanation.

Operator in training

Sanne was allowed to train as operator 1 in the bakery. “That training is here, in the bakery. Ten lessons: an hour and a half of theory and an hour and a half of practice.” She has obtained her diploma, but she does not work as an operator yet. “As Operator 1, you need to know what to do in case of failures, manage colleagues and communicate well. I'm not good at all of that yet. We'll see if I'm ready in six months. Otherwise, later. That's also good.”

Sanne knows what works

“Let people with autism feel they belong. Don't treat them like a little kid.” What helps? Clarity. Rest. A regular buddy when familiarizing. And be taken seriously. “I want to feel like I'm equal to others. If someone keeps asking: does this work? Then you feel different. While I can do as much as anyone else.” In stressful situations, she seeks support from colleagues or uses aids such as custom-made earplugs that attenuate the sound. And of course gloves, because Sanne likes to keep her hands clean.

Autism & work

In the Netherlands, around 420,000 people have autism. For people with autism, incentives, social signals and communication come in differently. Autism affects everyone differently. Some people need a lot of support, while others are able to function independently. In the workplace, people with autism often need peace, clarity, structure and predictability.

10 tips from Sanne

• Clear instructions
• Fixed work order and rhythm
• Inform about changes in tasks or schedule in time
• One point of contact or fixed buddy
• Help set realistic schedules and set priorities.
• Allow people to take a break to prevent overstimulation.
• Respectful and inclusive work culture
• Equal opportunities and appreciation, don't patronize
• Clear communication without duplicate messages
• Less sensory strain (light, sound, touch)

Employers that take this into account create an environment where people with autism come into their own. Like Sanne.