Autistic People in Demand

[OkRad]

Disability in demand: People with autism offer employers a broader talent pool

 

[Katleya]

I'm starting to feel like the odd one out, reading such articles that always say how interviews are the first barrier, and how poorly we interview.
What about the application/résumé? That's a barrier that comes before. How do you justify a résumé with either little experience, or on the contrary lots and lots of experience all over the place, across different industries & functions, sometimes at a much lower level than what you're capable of?

I know in my case, getting past that and getting an interview has always been the hardest. Not saying that the interviews afterward were ever easy, but they were at least an opportunity to explain this non-linear trajectory of mine that defies all expectations --not something a résumé has ever been able to do justice to. Surely I can't be the only one in that situation?
(For full disclosure, I also need to add that I have beautifully messed up a number of interviews on purpose, after realizing this was not a desirable workplace with an attitude I could handle. You can feel those things)

 

[OkRad]

I'm starting to feel like the odd one out, reading such articles that always say how interviews are the first barrier, and how poorly we interview.
What about the application/résumé? That's a barrier that comes before. How do you justify a résumé with either little experience, or on the contrary lots and lots of experience all over the place, across different industries & functions, sometimes at a much lower level than what you're capable of?

I know in my case, getting past that and getting an interview has always been the hardest. Not saying that the interviews afterward were ever easy, but they were at least an opportunity to explain this non-linear trajectory of mine that defies all expectations --not something a résumé has ever been able to do justice to. Surely I can't be the only one in that situation?
(For full disclosure, I also need to add that I have beautifully messed up a number of interviews on purpose, after realizing this was not a desirable workplace with an attitude I could handle. You can feel those things)

I agree. I like these stories, but truly, they are anomalies. Many of us did not get the proper support while growing up. Many of us had severe abuse to contend with. Many of us did not come from wealthy homes with parents who had the luxury to tote us around from one ABA therapist to another.

That is NOT to say that these stories are comprised of only those lucky types. I know there are autistic people who make it...............but I know a whole lot who don't. Abuse and bullying leave huge stains. Being autistic and growing up in poverty with no opportunity leaves its mark. Trying always to dodge one sensory assault after another leaves one exhausted. Not being able to eat or sleep or etcetcetc etc.........

This guy might be endearing or good looking or have a social quality that might eclipse the social ineptness. I don't know. But many NonNT's are beat before noon! (Ummm, speaking about myself here, don't be offended, anyone)

Now I KNOW there are blind people who climb Mt Everest. I see the billboard going to work. And that is great. But PLEASE stop making that the bar. Now it will be like, "Oh, you are autistic? Well, WTfreak? How come you are not CEO of google by now???"

 

[Katleya]

I agree. I like these stories, but truly, they are anomalies. Many of us did not get the proper support while growing up. Many of us had severe abuse to contend with. Many of us did not come from wealthy homes with parents who had the luxury to tote us around from one ABA therapist to another.

That is NOT to say that these stories are comprised of only those lucky types. I know there are autistic people who make it...............but I know a whole lot who don't. Abuse and bullying leave huge stains. Being autistic and growing up in poverty with no opportunity leaves its mark. Trying always to dodge one sensory assault after another leaves one exhausted. Not being able to eat or sleep or etcetcetc etc.........

This guy might be endearing or good looking or have a social quality that might eclipse the social ineptness. I don't know. But many NonNT's are beat before noon! (Ummm, speaking about myself here, don't be offended, anyone)

Now I KNOW there are blind people who climb Mt Everest. I see the billboard going to work. And that is great. But PLEASE stop making that the bar. Now it will be like, "Oh, you are autistic? Well, WTfreak? How come you are not CEO of google by now???"

I couldn't agree more...
Another sweet barrier: I keep on reading HR-related posts that say how your network is what gets you the job; the people you know, the people you've worked with, etc. In that perspective, we're screwed. There's only a fraction who is able to be liked by their colleagues and managers, and sometimes it's not so much because of their adaptive and social skills as it is because they were lucky enough to be in a team that mostly comprises intelligent, secure people. Put the exact same likeable Autie/Aspie in a company filled with incompetent, self-centered people who fear for their job and see how that goes (hint: not well).

But what if you can't get a job through your family? Have no friends, or no friends with enough leverage? Weren't able to go to/finish college for a bunch of reasons, from poverty to not having had a diagnosis that would have gotten you some adjustments? And the list goes on.

Another thing I find very frustrating with these initiatives is that the jobs offered usually have a strong, omnipresent IT component. It's understandable, as they were usually started by some father who worked in IT and found that their son was autistic, but what about those who aren't so great at computers? I can think of tens of other functions or industries, non-IT, where we could be put to great use.

And lastly, that Donovan guy pissed me off. There are things asked for in job offers that we almost collectively suck at, so asking what we're good at is a perfectly good questions. I'm tired of seeing the preternal "must be great at multitasking, adapt to change well, a teamplayer with superior interpersonal skills" on every single offer, including freaking data analyst positions. It's become as systematic a requirement as being able to read. Looks like they only hire cheerleaders.

 

[Gritches]

I worked for a company that tried to get people with ASD into jobs with local employers. Tried. If anyone gave us the time of day, no amount of explaining why someone with ASD could do as good or better of a job would get past the stigma of "Autism?!! OMG SCARY".

There's more to it, I could write a book about it, but the social stigma is still the #1 barrier between autistic people and employment in my experience.

edit: I'm also not exactly in the most socially progressive region of the country.

 

[paloftoon]

Some of these programs, like the one in the article, will consider people of any age as long as you can provide documentation with an official diagnosis. (Note: This may be indirectly dependent on the company.) So, if you're looking for something more substantial, you can re-consider. Better late than never.

 

[The Midge]

Specialisterne's goal is to brand and sell the autism advantage and help 25,000 autistic adults in Canada find jobs.

Momentum is building. So far, Specialisterne has helped nearly 100 people with autism in Canada find work over the past four years. The number may seem small, but Kriss says it's huge given these people stood much more limited chances before.​

lets do a bit of Maths.

100/4 = 25 year
25000/25= 1000 years before they are going to help every one with autism.

​

 

[Gritches]

Oh crap, I didn't even read the article, this is about Specialisterne?

Yeah, apparently their problem is the difference between the business models in Europe vs. the Americas; apparently they're successful in Europe but they're trying to do things here like they do it there and it just isn't working.