Autism viewed as an asset for some jobs

Parent Cafe
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<p>"A quiet movement is growing around the globe to help transform the unique attributes of high-functioning autistic adults into sought-after job skills.</p>

<p>In Denmark, the company Specialisterne (the name means “the specialists”), trains people with autism as specially skilled employees who are sent out as hourly consultants to companies to do data entry, assembly work and other jobs that many workers would find tedious and repetitive. Founded in 2004 by businessman Thorkil Sonne, the father of an autistic son, the company has 50 employees, 75 percent of whom are autistic…"</p>

<p>[Autism</a> seen as asset, not liability, in some jobs - Mental health- msnbc.com](<a href=“http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34047713/ns/health-mental_health/]Autism”>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34047713/ns/health-mental_health/)</p>

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<p>I didn’t read your article, but based on your title, I know a young man who could really be an asset. He remembers everyone’s name. It’s amazing! He always says, “Hi, Mrs. Toledo” and he only met me one time. He works bagging groceries at our local grocery store. If they gave him a minute to introduce himself to each customer, he could greet them by name every time they shopped there. I’ve mentioned this to the cashier and have wondered if I should approach someone in management. It’s such a wonderful gift and I wish there was a way he could put it to good use.</p>

<p>O.K. Now I have to read that article.</p>

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<p>I know a woman who is “Rain Man” autistic. She works in the stock room at a TJ Maxx…I bet she’s great at her job, making sure everything is in exactly the correct spot.</p>

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<p>Anyone read Elizabeth Moon’s novel The Speed of Dark–this sounds a bit like it. The main character in that book is a high functioning autistic (it’s set in the future) who works for a company that hires autistic folks to work as bioinformatic specialists–they identify patterns in data sets. These folks face a dilemma when the company prerssures them to undergo an experimental treatment to “cure” autism.</p>

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<p>Temple Grandin came to mind immediately. She’s done amazing things in the area of humane treatment of cattle at slaughterhouses.</p>

<p>[Dr</a>. Temple Grandin](<a href=“http://www.templegrandin.com/templehome.html]Dr”>Welcome to Temple Grandin's Official Autism Website)</p>

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<p>I love Temple Grandin. She’s so right - animals at the slaughterhouse aren’t afraid of being murdered and eaten…they’re afraid of bright lights and loud noises. We need those quirky brains to think of that stuff.</p>

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<p>Thank you for posting this article, Northstarmom. It gives those with differences hope for the future, not in spite of our issues, but because of them. You made my evening.</p>