  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.
