The Costs and Benefits of Employing an Adult with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review
from PLOSone
Background
Despite an ambition from adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to be employed, there are limited opportunities for competitive employment for this group. Employment is not only an entitlement enjoyed by others in society, but employing adults with ASD also has economic benefits by decreasing lost productivity and resource costs for this group. Few studies have explored the cost-benefit ratio for employing adults with ASD and even fewer have taken the viewpoint of the employer, particularly applying this situation to ASD. Until such study occurs, employers may continue to be reluctant to employ adults from this group.
ObjectiveThis review aimed to examine the costs, benefits and the cost-benefit ratio of employing adults with ASD, from a societal perspective and from the perspective of employers.
from PLOSone
Background
Despite an ambition from adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to be employed, there are limited opportunities for competitive employment for this group. Employment is not only an entitlement enjoyed by others in society, but employing adults with ASD also has economic benefits by decreasing lost productivity and resource costs for this group. Few studies have explored the cost-benefit ratio for employing adults with ASD and even fewer have taken the viewpoint of the employer, particularly applying this situation to ASD. Until such study occurs, employers may continue to be reluctant to employ adults from this group.
ObjectiveThis review aimed to examine the costs, benefits and the cost-benefit ratio of employing adults with ASD, from a societal perspective and from the perspective of employers.
An Autistic Adult’s Guide to Getting Hired: Should You Base Your Career Search on Your Special Interests?
The popular press and several autism-parent groups often express enthusiasm for the hiring options of autistic adults. When these aren’t about announcements from companies like Microsoft of plans to hire specifically autistic people, they’re often couched in terms of autistic “special interests” as a job strength. “Encourage your kid’s special interests!” these enthusiasts say. “They’ll lead to a job later on!”
As well-meaning as this approach sounds, it’s (a) simplistic, (b) oblivious to the realities of how hiring actually works, and (c) lacking in understanding of what special interests are and how they operate. Here’s why limiting your job search to your special interests might be a bad idea: READ MORE
The popular press and several autism-parent groups often express enthusiasm for the hiring options of autistic adults. When these aren’t about announcements from companies like Microsoft of plans to hire specifically autistic people, they’re often couched in terms of autistic “special interests” as a job strength. “Encourage your kid’s special interests!” these enthusiasts say. “They’ll lead to a job later on!”
As well-meaning as this approach sounds, it’s (a) simplistic, (b) oblivious to the realities of how hiring actually works, and (c) lacking in understanding of what special interests are and how they operate. Here’s why limiting your job search to your special interests might be a bad idea: READ MORE
The next frontier in workplace diversity: brain differences
by Katherine Reynolds Lewis, Fortune Magazine
We are on the cusp of a civil rights movement for workers on the autism spectrum and those who have conditions like ADHD and dyslexia. Companies and managers at many companies have already begun to take note.
A burgeoning civil rights movement is poised to change the workplace, and it revolves around differences in brain function. Advocates for neurodiversity say that it’s just as critical to business success as gender or racial diversity in the labor force. READ MORE
by Katherine Reynolds Lewis, Fortune Magazine
We are on the cusp of a civil rights movement for workers on the autism spectrum and those who have conditions like ADHD and dyslexia. Companies and managers at many companies have already begun to take note.
A burgeoning civil rights movement is poised to change the workplace, and it revolves around differences in brain function. Advocates for neurodiversity say that it’s just as critical to business success as gender or racial diversity in the labor force. READ MORE
4 Qualities of People With Autism That Could Benefit Your Business (Entrepreneur.com)
The Israeli Defense Force’s Satellite Intelligence Unit 9900 assigns autistic soldiers to monitor electronic combat maps for even the minutest changes. Their rare ability to focus for hours on end provides better results than non-autistic soldiers.
Software powerhouse SAP is actively searching for people with autism for jobs that require high attention to detail such as software testing. It hopes to have people with autism make up one percent of their workforce by 2020. READ MORE
The Israeli Defense Force’s Satellite Intelligence Unit 9900 assigns autistic soldiers to monitor electronic combat maps for even the minutest changes. Their rare ability to focus for hours on end provides better results than non-autistic soldiers.
Software powerhouse SAP is actively searching for people with autism for jobs that require high attention to detail such as software testing. It hopes to have people with autism make up one percent of their workforce by 2020. READ MORE
Video filled with lots of great points about education and employment.
Negatives are: Temple is from a generation where there was less awareness of the inaccuracy of functioning labels; She uses ableist language in that regard, and doesn't seem to be aware of the variation of abilities those who exhibit more greatly impacting symptoms are now understood to be capable of.
Negatives are: Temple is from a generation where there was less awareness of the inaccuracy of functioning labels; She uses ableist language in that regard, and doesn't seem to be aware of the variation of abilities those who exhibit more greatly impacting symptoms are now understood to be capable of.
How to find your career on the autism spectrum by Stephen Borgman
Do you want to have a sense of meaning and purpose? Do you want to feel a sense of pride in what you do and accomplish? Then finding a career you can thrive in is going to be a key piece of the puzzle for your personal growth and development.
I am indebted to both Temple Grandin, PhD, and to author Rudy Simone for the ideas on which this article is based. Dr. Grandin is probably well known to you as a professor who is diagnosed with Autism. Rudy Simone is self identified as an Aspie, and has recently written a book called Asperger'sOn the Job. READ MORE
Do you want to have a sense of meaning and purpose? Do you want to feel a sense of pride in what you do and accomplish? Then finding a career you can thrive in is going to be a key piece of the puzzle for your personal growth and development.
I am indebted to both Temple Grandin, PhD, and to author Rudy Simone for the ideas on which this article is based. Dr. Grandin is probably well known to you as a professor who is diagnosed with Autism. Rudy Simone is self identified as an Aspie, and has recently written a book called Asperger'sOn the Job. READ MORE
The Importance of a Niche by Chavisory
When I was a kid, I got told a lot that I was never going to make it in the real world. Only that isn’t what the people who told me that thought they were saying, when they said things like this:
So I was basically, completely screwed. READ MORE
When I was a kid, I got told a lot that I was never going to make it in the real world. Only that isn’t what the people who told me that thought they were saying, when they said things like this:
- “You’re going to have to learn to work with other people.”
- “You have to be able to work with people different from you. You have to understand that not everyone is like you.” Nobody at all was like me. I knew that.
- “If you don’t learn to work with other people, you’ll never make it in the real world.”
- “Employers all say that the biggest reason they fire people is not inability to do the job, but inability to get along with others.”
So I was basically, completely screwed. READ MORE
Autism + intense interests = careers? by Laura Shumaker
Matthew was just one year old when I noticed his intense interest in wheels at a Gymboreeclass.
“He’ll probably be an engineer someday!” I told my husband.
A few months later, a friend noticed Matthew’s fascination with lights. “Maybe he’ll be an electrician some day!” Over time, there were the drains,(“Plumbing!) the cows (“Farming!), the gates and the airplanes.
These cycles of intense interests came and went, but the one that stuck was lawn and garden maintenance. Matthew watched with great interest while garden crews in our neighborhood mowed, trimmed, pruned, raked and edged. He smiled and jumped gleefully for the finale as gardeners strapped on their gas-powered leaf blowers and cleared any stray grass , dirt or leaf trimmings before loading up their trucks and driving away. READ MORE
Matthew was just one year old when I noticed his intense interest in wheels at a Gymboreeclass.
“He’ll probably be an engineer someday!” I told my husband.
A few months later, a friend noticed Matthew’s fascination with lights. “Maybe he’ll be an electrician some day!” Over time, there were the drains,(“Plumbing!) the cows (“Farming!), the gates and the airplanes.
These cycles of intense interests came and went, but the one that stuck was lawn and garden maintenance. Matthew watched with great interest while garden crews in our neighborhood mowed, trimmed, pruned, raked and edged. He smiled and jumped gleefully for the finale as gardeners strapped on their gas-powered leaf blowers and cleared any stray grass , dirt or leaf trimmings before loading up their trucks and driving away. READ MORE
Undercover Autistic: on disclosing autism in the (academic) workplace
by The Third Glance
"...Autistic – the word that gave me power over myself and my environment.
Autistic – the word that so utterly perfectly describes me.
So why is it, that I’m so scared to say it aloud?
—————–
One of the things that I’ve mentioned before, is that while I am diagnosed autistic, and being autistic impacts many parts of my life in ways that other people just don’t ever experience, I am not “out” as autistic in my workplaces, lab or classroom. This doesn’t mean that people don’t know there’s something very different about me. They do. But I’m terrified to give the word that explains it all. The stereotypes, the negative views, the preconceived notions, and the horrible assumptions associated with being autistic mean that I am terrified to be open about myself, for fear of all the misconceptions." READ MORE
by The Third Glance
"...Autistic – the word that gave me power over myself and my environment.
Autistic – the word that so utterly perfectly describes me.
So why is it, that I’m so scared to say it aloud?
—————–
One of the things that I’ve mentioned before, is that while I am diagnosed autistic, and being autistic impacts many parts of my life in ways that other people just don’t ever experience, I am not “out” as autistic in my workplaces, lab or classroom. This doesn’t mean that people don’t know there’s something very different about me. They do. But I’m terrified to give the word that explains it all. The stereotypes, the negative views, the preconceived notions, and the horrible assumptions associated with being autistic mean that I am terrified to be open about myself, for fear of all the misconceptions." READ MORE
Success Stories - Companies that "get it"
Turning junk into an opportunity is all in a day's work at Blue Star Recyclers.
For Leigh Schilling, her opportunity came with the sound of a screwdriver and some old computer parts no one wanted anymore. "I can do 80, my record is 175. I love taking apart hard drives," Schilling said, "I think it's like one big puzzle. I love it."
Every day, there's a goal at Blue Star Recyclers. She's never missed it. READ MORE
Turning junk into an opportunity is all in a day's work at Blue Star Recyclers.
For Leigh Schilling, her opportunity came with the sound of a screwdriver and some old computer parts no one wanted anymore. "I can do 80, my record is 175. I love taking apart hard drives," Schilling said, "I think it's like one big puzzle. I love it."
Every day, there's a goal at Blue Star Recyclers. She's never missed it. READ MORE
SAP partners with Specialisterne to employ people with autism in tech jobs
Software company SAP is joining forces globally with Specialisterne to employ people with autism as software testers, programmers and data quality assurance specialists following pilot projects in Ireland and India.
Specialisterne’s focus is on employing people with autism in technology-oriented roles. READ MORE
Software company SAP is joining forces globally with Specialisterne to employ people with autism as software testers, programmers and data quality assurance specialists following pilot projects in Ireland and India.
Specialisterne’s focus is on employing people with autism in technology-oriented roles. READ MORE
