Would you mention ASD on a CV?

[Lindy2]

This is for my teenager who will soon be looking for her first summer/weekend job.

She has ASD. I think most people would strongly suspect neurodiversity within 10 minutes of meeting her but she would be perfectly OK doing basic work that didn't involve too much face to face interaction. Clearing tables, stacking shelves etc is probably what would suit her until (hopefully) her confidence grows and she might feel happy to take on more.

Would you mention ASD at the application stage or just see how things pan out? I'm not sure what would be best.

I would not, no.

I would because historically I have failed at interview stage

It's not on my CV, but I tend to try to read the room when it comes to mentioning it during an interview. I find it goes over best mentioning it in a one-on-one interview, otherwise you get lots of awkward silences as they're all trying to figure out who's going to respond on the fly.

However, if she's going to mention it in interview, she needs to be 100% prepared for the next question - "Do you need any accommodations?". That usually follows the obligatory "We don't discriminate" statement. Even if they don't come up with that question, I've found that it's best to lead into any accommodations she might need, if they're not too extreme; it can be reassuring for interviewers to know what to expect, rather than having a big question mark over it.

I've found that it works best using the "shit sandwich" approach - only mention it after a very positive interaction, and follow it up with more stuff that they'll be comfortable with.

I actually think it helped me get my current job, because the interviewer's son had just been diagnosed, so it was instantly less uncomfortable and we spent a fair bit of time talking about it.

Not on your CV.

There should be a point during the application process where you are asked about reasonable adjustments needed for the interview. That's when you disclose. Smaller businesses may not have this, in which case the interview is the right time.

I wasn’t diagnosed when you just put in CVs. If it is a big chain like Starbucks or pret there will probably be a separate form.
She may want to mention and any adjustment in a letter if invited to interview.

Will she be working during the day because shelf stackers are some people who have lots and unstructured interaction with customers. People frequently interrupt to ask where stuff is in the store or about a spill. OTOH it’s less than other jobs.