Comments on: Companies say autism can be valuable asset in the workplace http://www.patriciaebauer.com/2009/12/09/autism-asset-jobs-26386/ Disability News | PatriciaEBauer.com Wed, 24 Nov 2010 22:50:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Erica http://www.patriciaebauer.com/2009/12/09/autism-asset-jobs-26386/comment-page-1/#comment-5290 Erica Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:49:30 +0000 http://www.patriciaebauer.com/?p=26386#comment-5290 I think this article shows just how "behind on the times" the US really is when it comes to issues dealing with disabled individuals. The innovative thinking style that these companies have focuses on utilizing differences rather than dwelling on disabilities. Katelin does make a very good point though. When a person who has low-functioning autism is given the chance to communicate, their intelligence is far superior to neuro-typical people. If the US could just start thinking like this, it could make a big difference in the lives of many people. I think this article shows just how “behind on the times” the US really is when it comes to issues dealing with disabled individuals. The innovative thinking style that these companies have focuses on utilizing differences rather than dwelling on disabilities. Katelin does make a very good point though. When a person who has low-functioning autism is given the chance to communicate, their intelligence is far superior to neuro-typical people. If the US could just start thinking like this, it could make a big difference in the lives of many people.

]]> By: Katelin http://www.patriciaebauer.com/2009/12/09/autism-asset-jobs-26386/comment-page-1/#comment-5251 Katelin Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:26:05 +0000 http://www.patriciaebauer.com/?p=26386#comment-5251 It's wonderful that some companies are finally beginning to recognize that autism is not only not a defect, but can actually be an advantage. However, the article's focus on "high-functioning" autistics is troubling. Many so-called low-functioning autistics -- the majority of whom were previously believed to be retarded -- have recently shown that, given the means to communicate, they are no less intelligent than anyone else. Individuals such as Tito Mukhopadhyay and Sue Rubin, who fall into the cateogy of low-functioning autism, have proven the label wrong by demonstrating just how capable they are of functioning in the world. Indeed, Tito has published several books and Sue is a successful college student. Their success raises questions regarding the relevance of the spectrum at all; what is, really, that defines "low" and "high" functioning autism? It’s wonderful that some companies are finally beginning to recognize that autism is not only not a defect, but can actually be an advantage. However, the article’s focus on “high-functioning” autistics is troubling. Many so-called low-functioning autistics — the majority of whom were previously believed to be retarded — have recently shown that, given the means to communicate, they are no less intelligent than anyone else. Individuals such as Tito Mukhopadhyay and Sue Rubin, who fall into the cateogy of low-functioning autism, have proven the label wrong by demonstrating just how capable they are of functioning in the world. Indeed, Tito has published several books and Sue is a successful college student. Their success raises questions regarding the relevance of the spectrum at all; what is, really, that defines “low” and “high” functioning autism?

]]> By: Barbara Bissonnette http://www.patriciaebauer.com/2009/12/09/autism-asset-jobs-26386/comment-page-1/#comment-5232 Barbara Bissonnette Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:32:47 +0000 http://www.patriciaebauer.com/?p=26386#comment-5232 I coach adults with Asperger's Syndrome on career and job related issues. Specialisterne, Aspiritech and Left is Right (Sweden) are demonstrating how employers can benefit by looking at a person's strengths and not just whether they "fit in" to social norms. There are so many individuals with Asperger's who are bright, capable and skilled. But they have a hard time moving past social expectations on interviews to make their capabilities known. Or, their difficulties with communication and things like multi-tasking are cause problems on the job that appear to be a bad attitude. In the right job, with the right support, many of these individuals have a contribution to make in the competitive employment market. I coach adults with Asperger’s Syndrome on career and job related issues. Specialisterne, Aspiritech and Left is Right (Sweden) are demonstrating how employers can benefit by looking at a person’s strengths and not just whether they “fit in” to social norms. There are so many individuals with Asperger’s who are bright, capable and skilled. But they have a hard time moving past social expectations on interviews to make their capabilities known. Or, their difficulties with communication and things like multi-tasking are cause problems on the job that appear to be a bad attitude.

In the right job, with the right support, many of these individuals have a contribution to make in the competitive employment market.

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