Update in America on Jobs for people with ASD,

So saw this on my Facebook feed, it demonstrates a move in America towards employing people with autism, ok early days but the main points are that we do each have individual abilities and given the right environment can give more than most.

I have read similar stories about people with Dyslexia, The government listening establishment GCHQ seek out those with dyslexia as they have a unique ability to see patterns in many things, often seeing specific patterns in data often missed by others.

It would be nice to see something similar in this country, there doesn’t seem to be much for adults at all, work or after care or councilling and support. 

I get many feeds on face book, They know me well Lol!

so feeds like ,Dyslexia, depression and The National Autistic Society  ( Britain) and The National Autistic Association (American).

The American one has many more stories and help giving guidance and knowledge for all to read, The NAS sadly seems to be endless feeds about donating or volunteering, Having been a member here for many months I was surprised to “ stumble” upon the fact the NAS has schools for autistic children and can help with accommodation for younger adults?

It is probably on the main pages but never any mention on this forum? I for one think there should be a regular update on here telling us what NAS is doing and promoting itself, maybe if we all shout together those upstairs might just hear us, we seem to be left here like squatters who sneak in and out using the basement to meet up.

x()x

SO THIS IS WHAT I READ ON FACEBOOK.

(I struggle to create links so copied and pasted it)

80% of autistics are unemployed or underemployed despite having the potential of being great employees.

As an autistic person myself, I know how hard it can be for those of us on the spectrum to get a job. I've been fortunate to be self-employed most of my life, although I've worked for larger companies such as AOL, ESPN, and PBS.

Companies are finally starting to recognize the benefits of hiring autistic workers and have begun to implement programs to leverage the unique assets that autistic employees provide.

5 Companies with Autism Initiatives.

1) SAP

By 2020, autistics will make up 1% of the company's workforce which sounds small but actually works out to about 700 autistic employees due to the massive size of SAP. As part of its commitment to diversity, SAP also has a great support system for its autistic employees. The company has found that their autism program is not just a way to give back. Autistic employees are much more efficient and cost effective due to their attention to detail.

2) Microsoft

Microsoft is actively recruiting autistic coders, engineers, data scientists, and analysts. Since the program started in 2015, over fifty employees have joined the company through the program.

3) Specialsterne

Specialisterne is a Danish company founded in 2004 with the goal to create a million jobs for those on the spectrum. The company has worked with HP, CAI, Microsoft, and SAP as well as many other tech companies. Additionally, Specialsterne has been responsible for raising awareness of the importance of hiring autistic employees.

4) Robison Service

Robison Service's TCS Auto Program was founded to bring together autistic high school students to build a vintage Bentley to compete in La Carrera Panamericana, a 3000km race through Mexico. Robison Service is a family run business based in Springfield, MA and founded by autistic author John Elder Robison.

5) Aspiritech

Aspiritech harnesses the power of Asperger's / Autism to do software testing. QA has been a field that has benefited from autistic people's attention to detail and Aspiritech is one of many companies benefiting from the laser sharp focus of those on the autism spectrum.

There are some other companies with autism initiatives, but this list gives you a taste of what is being done. Unfortunately, these initiatives are the exception when it comes to the way that autism is being dealt with in corporate America.

Hopefully more employers will follow suit when they realize how big of a benefit autistic workers provide. A company can do good while also increasing profitability.

Alex Plank

  • I think that with the right support and the environment the autistic people can be excellent.

    At least, I would be.

    But I am so tired to be in a noisy office and be around people too much.

    I wish I could work from home part of the week.

    I often feel like a caged animal with no way out.

    Obviously, this affects my motivation.

  • I think it's a valuable Thread, it's a factual account of what's happening out there and something I would probably not have come across on my own (because I'm not on Facebook). I don't think you should worry, any more than a newscaster should, that the news you're reporting isn't good news for everyone! It's still a fact.  

    Maybe it will be a good thing if it encourages a more general openness and acceptance among employers, a first step towards something better? Please don't take my reply as a gauge of what others might think though! I have days where I barely know what my opinion is on something let alone anyone else's   : /   

    I have the whole disintegrating memory going on too. Not just with the big things (things I've studied or read or been involved in in the past) but really basic things too - the other day I was rushing to tidy up and telling my daughter 'Pick up that, put this away, bring that over ...' and I forgot the word for CHAIR!!! Can you believe that? I couldn't! It actually freaked me out a bit but I'm just putting it down to another stress-glitch, who knows. Things like that have happened a lot this past year or two. It's a bit worrying actually but at least it's a source of amusement for the rest of the family. So, I'm not amazing at all but I'm trying to think of it as a 'fascinating case study into a disintegrating brain'. Maybe one day someone will open it up and be astounded that a person could operate with so little! Lol, fame at last!      

  • Hi Endymion I tried to reply earlier, spent half an hour writing my thoughts only for it to vanish when trying to post it! Thanks NAS.

    Anyway several hours later I manage to get back on here as it all froze and refused to reload. 

    I wish I hadn’t posted the above now as it seems no replies is telling me it only causes upset!

    I too would not benefit in any way as I have no “special” talents. In fact my memory holds me back . I do enjoy reading your many replies and may I say you are truly amazing and you help so many on here,,,much respect.

    x()x

  • It's good to hear of initiatives to improve employment prospects for those with ASD but it's a little disappointing that they all (except Robison Service) seem to conform to the stereotype of the Aspie-Maths/Computer-Whiz. I think perhaps that employing every single one of us with a 'Special Talent' for numbers and coding would have very little impact on the overall employment figures for ASD. I find it a little insulting tbh. If I applied for any of those jobs I'd basically be told I'm not good enough at being Autistic.   

  • scary world we live in, that site was indeed a business looking to charge vast amounts of money to train parents on how to make their child “ normal”. Unbelievable!

    Ohhhhh Deeeear... Is that the end of this Thread, then... Kind of an even game, there...

    Insofar as Posting something which one later regrets, then, well, edit it. Bit of a shame, really. But the parts about companies employing Autistic People (and about NAS!) were spot-on, I think. But there are other (forgotten) Threads about Apergers Persons being merely "tolerated" rather than employed as an asset - and viceversa.

    (...It is as if this topic is cursed...? It must remain a hidden factor...?) I cannot discuss it much more because I am not Microsoft and I am not "an Employer" (or filthy rich)...

    As I often write of late, perhaps someone else may Post something better or comprehensible  than this here last Post of mine...

  • Hi DC and thank you for replying in such a kind and friendly way,

    I have had a look at the site where it was posted and now think it better not to put a link!

    It was a random story and I would say the facts are true, the trouble is the face book site it came from has articles that advocate curing autism! So not a very clued up resource, Autism is not a disease and vaccines have not been linked to giving autism to children as one of its articles “ suggests”. I think I will block the site. It is one of many related sites that Facebook points in my direction as they track what I “ like” and assume I want more. 

    Well I do invite them by liking or following them, it takes time to get a feel for them and what they actually stand for. 

    One  such site invited parents to attend a group meeting to learn ways of curing their children, I replied to them saying autism is not a disease and should not be classed as such, I received many replies stating I was indeed right, but I also had some from parents saying whatever it took to help should be looked into!

    scary world we live in, that site was indeed a business looking to charge vast amounts of money to train parents on how to make their child “ normal”. Unbelievable!

    Anyway I remember your thread and surprised it too didn’t receive any replies. And as for talking about NAS the way I do? I am aspie so I say what I see, I do not lie and have a strong dislike for injustice. 

    This forum is by far one of the best in many ways, I appreciate the admin don’t get to involved as such and allow us to self govern by just being kind understanding people, which on the whole we are. but they could lend support by keeping us informed directly here about recent stories about education,employment and resources available. Maybe a box which gets updated from time to time, like a headline story. Not for commenting on directly but updates etc on new initiatives.

    Still good to see things are being done by bigger companies that recognise abilities not disorders.

    keep well and fair play to you at this late hour.

    x()x

  • Greetings, Mr. 'Single-Soldier'...(!)...

    This Thread is 6 Hours old, and no-one has posted to it yet? Tsk Tsk...

    It kind of reminds me of a certain Thread I began about 3 Months ago... and no-one replied to it but your good self...! (About Microsoft + Autism Also.)

    Hopefully someone will post something better than my own post, here. I tried to find the page from which you quote, but could not, sorry... In order to post a link, it helps to use a separate "Note/Jotter" Program, and copy the "WWW"-Address into that, and then Post it here (in NAS).

    Lastly... Whilst upon this NAS Forum, not a lot of persons dare to post anything faulting NAS... which makes sense, but, then, well... you for one know what I myself have done here so far...!      :-P

    Keep Well and Fair Play to You.