Have Autism? We Have a Job for You

What a cool idea.  A German company is looking for people with autism because of the unique way they think.

According to Kirsten Korosec, "German software giant SAP has partnered with Specialisterne to help it find, recruit and train people with autism to work as programmers, data quality assurance specialists and product testers."

Under the pilot programs, SAP Labs in India hired six people with autism as software testers for SAP Business Suite applications, Korosec reports. "SAP says the team has increased its productivity and cohesiveness as a direct result of the hires. The Ireland pilot is currently in the screening phase for five positions to be filled this year."

Korosec notes in her story that Danish company Specialisterne, which is owned by The Specialist People Foundation, "aims to help people with autism find employment by marketing and matching their skill set to companies in the IT sector."

Its arrangement with SAP is the first with a multinational company to help with its worldwide recruitment, reported Reuters. The company hopes to expand globally.

Many parents worry about the lack of programs for children with autism as they mature and grow into young adults. The plethora of programs for youngsters just isn't out there for older kids, at least not at the moment.  Hiring young people with autism is a major step forward.

Why does Specialisterne have such an interest in hiring those with autism?  As Korosec quotes the company,  "The unique characteristics of autism and similar challenges mean that our consultants actually enjoy tasks that most employees find boring, repetitive or difficult due to the level of detail and concentration required."

But that's not all.  People with autism often have spectacular ways of seeing the world, often graduating with honors from high school and even college.  And while those with autism may have a hard time with social cues, what companies care more about is: can they do the job?

The answer overwhelmingly has been yes, according to abcnews.com, which talks about another young man who found a job at AutonomyWorks because the company "values their ability to spot patterns and their preference for repetitive tasks."

So parents, take heart.  There is a world out there that will welcome your children, not turn their backs on them -- in fact, a world that needs your children.
  

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