An Umbrella Review of the Impact of Environment on the Productive Lives of Individuals with Autism and Other Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

Purpose of Review Engagement in productive roles such as employment and volunteering provide opportunities for individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDD) to improve their well-being. Individuals with NDD, such as autism spectrum disorder, face substantial barriers to participate in productive activities, and supportive environments may enhance their engagement. This umbrella review examines environmental factors and conceptualizes the impact of a supportive ecosystem on the productivity of youth and adults with NDD. Recent Findings Five databases were searched. Reviews that met the inclusion criteria were coded using the environmental domains of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). The search resulted in 41 reviews, which all reflected employment initiatives. The majority of reviews were coded with following domains: “services, systems, and policies” (83%), “support and relationships” (59%), and “products and technology” (46%). The reviews addressed environmental factors across all five domains of the ICF. Summary This synthesis provided tangible recommendations for community stakeholders and further research.