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NAS perpetuating autism stereotypes?

Hope

The NAS has a document about the special attributes people with autism are supposed to have which are commendable in the world of work, such as reliability, attention to detail, technical ability; etc. However, while as with every stereotype there is some truth to this, it does not reflect the lived experience of many on the spectrum.

Take attention to detail and ability to focus. Yes, it is true that people with autism often persist at tasks they are interested in, sometimes at the expense of everyday demands such as eating and organising one's life. Often the focus is very narrow and highly specific, as they will zoom in on part of a task and will not see the big picture. This can be a real problem in a work place environment unless the task is very repetitive and specific, such as computer coding. However, not all people with autism are interested in or excel at computing, and so this can be an unhelpful stereotype. This is particularly the case if, like me, they have spatial awareness difficulties or dyspraxic traits.

Also, many people with ASC have ADHD traits, and this can counteract attention to detail in some situations, resulting in careless mistakes because of poor attention and distractibility.

Again, ADHD  and dyspraxic traits can undermine reliability, particularly if the person also endures chronic anxiety, which is common in ASC.

People with autism can make good employees in a supported environment with the right reasonable adjustments; but everyone with autism is unique and glib generalisations can actually be quite damaging because they do not always reflect reality for many people on the spectrum, myself included.

 

Parents

  • I take Recombinantsocks' point about space in a pamplet or a web page you have to give 'typical' features, but precisely Hope's point is - are they so typical?

    I do worry that the employer sheets overly emphasise things people on the spectrum are supposed to be good at. Having tutored undergraduates and postgraduates on the spectrum I've had the privilege of seeing a wide range of personas and abilities.

    The steotypical computing and eye for detail stuff belies other skills: meticulous artwork, musical skills, both performing and repairing instruments, and composing, spoken and written languages, organisation and synthesis of ideas, specialist electronical and mechanical engineering (not just egineering aptitude, which is too broad), architecture..............

    It doesn't help people in the spectrum if all the literature simply blurts out the same stereotypical assertions.

    Yes autism isn't the only reason for finding it tough in the workplace, but we are on an autism website. I get tetchy though when someone makes the patronising assertion "there are jobs for people that are prepared to start at the bottom and do things that they would rather not be doing". It shows little real comprehension of autism, where many are having to do just that, on jobs well below their capability, and having to struggle with fitting in.  

    One book and one personal experience, very recently diagnosed, should, I feel, prompt a lot more caution rather than apparent knowledgeable authority (but then I must be guilty of that a lot too).

    Similarly why are you playing down communication difficulties as if to say we are no different from the general population.

    Black and white thinking is one thing. Denial that autism makes us in any way different or disadvantaged from the rest of the population doesn't help anybody.

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  • I take Recombinantsocks' point about space in a pamplet or a web page you have to give 'typical' features, but precisely Hope's point is - are they so typical?

    I do worry that the employer sheets overly emphasise things people on the spectrum are supposed to be good at. Having tutored undergraduates and postgraduates on the spectrum I've had the privilege of seeing a wide range of personas and abilities.

    The steotypical computing and eye for detail stuff belies other skills: meticulous artwork, musical skills, both performing and repairing instruments, and composing, spoken and written languages, organisation and synthesis of ideas, specialist electronical and mechanical engineering (not just egineering aptitude, which is too broad), architecture..............

    It doesn't help people in the spectrum if all the literature simply blurts out the same stereotypical assertions.

    Yes autism isn't the only reason for finding it tough in the workplace, but we are on an autism website. I get tetchy though when someone makes the patronising assertion "there are jobs for people that are prepared to start at the bottom and do things that they would rather not be doing". It shows little real comprehension of autism, where many are having to do just that, on jobs well below their capability, and having to struggle with fitting in.  

    One book and one personal experience, very recently diagnosed, should, I feel, prompt a lot more caution rather than apparent knowledgeable authority (but then I must be guilty of that a lot too).

    Similarly why are you playing down communication difficulties as if to say we are no different from the general population.

    Black and white thinking is one thing. Denial that autism makes us in any way different or disadvantaged from the rest of the population doesn't help anybody.

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