Tech Giant Sees 'Competitive Advantage' in Autistic Workforce

[my2sense]

Source: ABC News

Autism advocates are praising a German software company for its plan to hire people with autism as software testers, programmers and data quality assurance specialists.

SAP, which employs more than 65,000 people worldwide, said it sees a "potential competitive advantage to leveraging the unique talents of people with autism, while also helping them to secure meaningful employment." It will partner with Specialisterne – Danish for "The Specialists" – to recruit people on the autism spectrum.

"By concentrating on the abilities that every talent brings to the table, we can redefine the way we manage diverse talents," SAP executive board member Luisa Delgado said in a statement. "With Specialisterne, we share a common belief that innovation comes from the 'edges.' Only by employing people who think differently and spark innovation will SAP be prepared to handle the challenges of the 21st century."


Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Autism/tech-giant-sees-competitive-advantage-autistic-workforce/story?id=19234442#.UZ045eDiYeM

[dipsydoodle]

1. Possibly due to their ability to focus.

.

[oNobodyo]

2. ok...

So if they make perfect employees then what incentive is there to treat autism?

Will corporate powers want to reduce the number of autistic children born or ...?

But since childhood disability is on the rise, it's good that they'll have jobs...right...right?

[Butterbean]

3. Hmm. Well, they mean people with high functioning autism.

I see the good and bad in this. On the one hand, it's helping people with autism as they get older, something that isn't given enough attention IMO. On the other hand, it's feeding the whole "Rain Man" stereotype, which I loathe. I have been asked so many times when I tell someone that my son is autistic, "oooh, what's his talent or gift?" People have misconceptions that all people on the spectrum are savants, and this seems to be reinforcing that stereotype a little bit.

[Spider Jerusalem]

4. I'm autistic, and I don't see it as reinforcing a "Rain Man"/savant stereotype...

so much as recognising that autistics tend to have an ability to hyperfocus on repetitive tasks to a degree that's probably rare or impossible for "neurotypicals".

[Butterbean]

5. Okay. Well, my kid can't do that, and the kids of my friends can't either.

I suppose you and I just live in different worlds and come from different points of view.

[Throckmorton]

11. Since I have two autistic children, I get to see both worlds.

A son that could do this in an instant, provided he was allowed to pace and hand flap every hour or so,
and a daughter that will need major support her entire life. (Loves Giraffes thou and is very sweet).

This does sound a little bit like "A Brave New World", with the high functioning autistics being the Gamma's.

[VA_Jill]

7. I'm the mom of a high functioning autistic adult

and I don't see it that way either. I think the ability to focus intensely is a good thing, although my son does get bored with repetition of things he isn't interested in. Give him something repetitive that he LIKES, and you'll have to remind him to come to dinner.

[my2sense]

6. Seems positive to me

although I'm looking at it from the perspective of progress to employ those that may be considered disabled. In a perfect world all of us that are somehow different or think differently would be seen as a value to society.

[AverageJoe90]

9. True, but why just autistic people?

I've got Attention Deficit Disorder and there's those of us with remarkable abilities, too, really........

[my2sense]

10. That is what I meant

Sorry I thought I was clear.

[AverageJoe90]

12. It's okay, it happens.

I'll admit that it's happened to me, too, so it's alright....no problem, friend.

[AverageJoe90]

8. I'm sorry, but.....

For full disclosure, I'm not autistic myself, though I do have ADD.....TBH, though, why aren't they asking US, too?

[mahatmakanejeeves]

13. "The Speed of Dark"

The Speed of Dark

Speed of Dark (released in some markets as The Speed of Dark) is a near-future science fiction novel by American author Elizabeth Moon. The story is told from the first person viewpoint of an autistic process analyst. It won the Nebula Award for Best Novel in 2003, and was also an Arthur C. Clarke Award finalist.

Reviews at Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Speed-Dark-Ballantine-Readers-Circle/dp/0345447549/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1369311661&sr=1-1&keywords=speed+of+dark

I read it last year. Great book.

[Sunlei]

14. a good idea. imo several very positive qualities, focus, honest, dependable, good team workers