business

Thinking differently: Autism finds space in the workplace

6 Comments
By Kate Kelland

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glad you picked up on this article.. i might add that this spectrum includes manic depression (type 1 and 2 ), ADHD and other similar "disorders" such as OCD and Generalised anxiety disorder. And as a side note people with downs syndrome are incredibly empathic.

there are issues concerning social dysfunction in the workplace but this can easily be offset by proper training of staff in tolerance to extravagant behaviour patterns,

The ability to super-focus is very common within this spectrum.. most people within this spectrum are unaware and undiagnosed and are already contributing in the fields of research, art, music, engineering, health, the military, in fact in all walks of life. i am somewhere between ADHD and type 2 bi polar It did dawn on me that the world might be a less innovative place without the Autism spectrum. Glad to see some employers have seen the light!

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May be true that different focus and skillset, but can also be extremely difficult to work weith in a team environment.

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Great approach and really encouraging to hear a company like SAP is committing to this. I would be very interested to hear how this works out in practice, and if any additional support is needed.

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Potentially adaptable members of the so called high functioning group are what these people are mainly interested in, and whilst the article does state that not all autists are in fact high functioning, nevertheless there is a certain branding effect along the lines autist=high functioning=cool. Life is not so simple as that, unfortunately. It's a very wide spectrum and only a narrow group within that wll make it onto the emplyee lists of these people and be able to stay there.

The article states that 'it's great to see that corporations not just doing from corporate responsibility but actually recognising there is a good business case behind having people with autisjm in the workplace.' With huge unemployment amongst autists and disabled people in general, the corporate responsibility is, and always has been thin on the ground. Cherry p[icking from the disabled is a way to boost your company's image and make money too, but as for responsibility - that's for governments, individual families etc. Not corporations.

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Oh this is such complete nonsense.

High-functioning autism is normally not a disorder. In order to be a disorder you have to fail a test, the functionality test. For those not in the psychological profession may come as a surprise, but in order to qualify for a clinical diagnosis the disorder has to significantly impair your ability to function in everyday life.

What I'm seeing more and more is that this very basic test is being ignored. People want the diagnosis to feel "special" and to give them an excuse to act like asses and say, "Oh, I'm autistic!" as if it is a "get out of being called an ass" card. They go to a GP, who knows bugger all about psychology, rattle off a list of symptoms and get their diagnosis, and then get access to all the priveleges that should be reserved for people with legitimate disabilities.

The same trend can be seen in ADD diagnoses.

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Over 50 years ago there was no "categoriztion" such as autism. There is no physical and medical test for autism. No genetic indication! It is all opinion! A whole industry has been built on the losers of the competitive rat race! Therefore, it is only natural and logical that these INDIVIDUALS can work, and contribute to society at large with their god given gifts!

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