As the workforce settles into flexible work arrangements, researchers have focused on the collaborative and psychological consequences of the shift. While nearly a fifth of the world's population is estimated to be neurodivergent, the implications of remote collaboration on the cognitive, sensory, and socio-affective experiences of autistic workers are poorly understood. Prior literature suggests that information and communication technologies (ICTs) introduce major psychological stressors. Theoretically, these stressors ought to be exceptionally straining considering autistic traits $\unicode{x2013}$ yet, studies describe a strong attraction to ICTs. We thus ask: how do digital technologies alleviate autistic workers' experiences of their collaborative work environment? Thirty-three interviews were conducted to address this question. Findings suggest that digital media present capabilities that filter input from the environment, turning it into a virtual stage that lets workers "time out". The resulting "technorelief" enables autistic workers to tune into their perceptions and regain control of their collaborative experiences.

翻译：随着劳动力逐步适应灵活工作安排，研究人员开始关注这一转变对协作与心理的影响。尽管全球近五分之一的人口被估计为神经多样性群体，但远程协作对自闭症工作者认知、感官及社会情感体验的影响仍鲜为人知。既有文献指出，信息与通信技术会引入重大心理压力源。理论上，考虑到自闭特质，这些压力源应当造成异常沉重的负担——然而，研究却描述了自闭症群体对信息与通信技术的强烈吸引力。我们因此提出疑问：数字技术如何缓解自闭症工作者在协作工作环境中的体验？为解答这一问题，我们开展了三十三场访谈。研究结果表明，数字媒体具备过滤环境输入的能力，将其转化为一个让工作者得以"暂停"的虚拟舞台。由此产生的"技术舒缓"使自闭症工作者能够调谐感知、重获对协作体验的控制权。