BBC asks are Autistics the best workers

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http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20160106-model-employee-are-autistic-individuals-the-best-workers-around

I agree with this, to an extent. I know that with myself, I have excellent attention to detail, excellent focus (if I'm left alone), I learn quickly, and work hard. I'm also honest.

But I do have difficulties with lateness because I have a poor sense of time, and sometimes I get too caught up in the details, which can become unproductive. And there are some communication difficulties and problems dealing with stress.

I think in the right environment, autistic individuals are superior workers. In others, NTs probably will do better.

The problem is autistic people may never get the chance to prove themselves, as the article states.

Actually, I find this quite disturbing.

There is still this subtext that you have to be "high functioning" in neurotypical terms: "Those who pass the screening receive four weeks of training focused on social skills, teamwork, norms of office behaviour and the job they'll be doing."

They want the useful aspects of being autistic, but only if we can sufficiently hide what they see as the downsides, and be like them.

“Our program helped them learn to talk effectively about being hard working, easy to work with and able to perform well in teams,” In other words, they are being taught to lie, like a good little neurotypical. When did you last meet an Aspie who performs well in a team?

Then there is this guy, who "got a "massive boost in self-confidence" and developed skills in administration and team work, during a brief stint with the UK Department for Work and Pensions." Well, yeah, there will even be Aspies who get a "massive boost in self-confidence" when given the power to be a bullying thug over society's most vulnerable, and be able to make someone destitute on a whim, in order to hit a target. That's not necessarily a good thing. How many vulnerable people did he harm in order to gain their approval?

No, this is about assimilation into being a pretend neurotypical. They still haven't got it.

I'm reminded of the song "Vincent". They would not listen, they're not listening still... perhaps they never will...

I generally work very well when I can focus, but unfortunately a crowded office is not always the best place for that because I sometimes feel that I'm being watched. It also helps that I'm the only guy in the building who does what I do, so there is not a call for heavy communication outside of occasionally telling my boss what I'm up to.

I see the developments in the articles as positives.
It is good that employers recognize the value of autistic employees.
I see nothing wrong with providing social training prior to working.
Many autistic people have complained that they can't understand workplace dynamics and expectations without someone to explain to them, so a program to do that seems good.
It is also good about recognizing the sensory problems of an open office.
More opportunities for autistic employees is definitely a good thing.
NTs are not aliens, they are humans and not that different from autistic people.

Quote from Niall: "Then there is this guy, who "got a "massive boost in self-confidence" and developed skills in administration and team work, during a brief stint with the UK Department for Work and Pensions." Well, yeah, there will even be Aspies who get a "massive boost in self-confidence" when given the power to be a bullying thug over society's most vulnerable, and be able to make someone destitute on a whim, in order to hit a target. That's not necessarily a good thing. How many vulnerable people did he harm in order to gain their approval?"

Thank you for this - the words should please be shouted far and wide. For our American friends, the "UK Department for Work and Pensions" is a seriously toxic, and in my opinion, criminal organisation that does obnoxious work.

A very positive story. I wish I had a job.

AsPartOfMe, thank you for posting this. I had hoped there was something new I could put in my project, but I have been all over the figures they are citing.

The "15% of autistic people in the UK are working" figure traces back to the National Autistic Society and then goes nowhere. This is the same as the "90% under and unemployed" number that is commonly online. There was a study in the UK several years of a VOCATIONAL program where only 12% of the autistic participants of that specific program were appropriately employed.

Other than that, there are only TWO other studies (besides mine, which is a THESIS project) that looks at employment conditions for autistic adults. One is a large scale project in Australia of young adults only, who were formerly in an autism-specific educational program in school. People who were in college or who were in non-paid labor weren't counted in this study. The other was of only six people solicited from an autism conference. Mine has 38 people from the US, UK, AU, and one person from Eastern Europe.

I cannot divulge my numbers yet. I haven't defended my thesis or submitted this project for publishing. As soon as I have defended my thesis I will make the numbers available online to the WP community. All I can say now is that what I found is very positive and empowering. Surprisingly positive.

The strengths they talk about in this article do seem to be common among autistic workers and companies do benefit from them- the focus, honesty, parallel perception,etc, are clearly useful. What I take issue with is the idea that companies have to be convinced to hire anyone. Autistic people are already there in the workplace, doing fine, at all levels! Hiring people! Running companies! Not just worker bees!

Whoopie do.

My experience is one of social rejection and economic marginalisation, to the point of being bullied as a scapegoat and regular consideration of suicide.

I actually have an idea of a way out but, in my present circumstances, it's unrealistic, and I don't see that changing.

I did ask about bullying but am not including those results in THIS study, simply because I have too much to talk about already and there are already great numbers about that out. What you're saying is correct and a separate issue. 90-95% of people on the autism spectrum have been bullied. Something like 60-70% (that's off the top of my head, I can look it up if anyone wants) have also been victims of sexual or financial exploitation.

What those other media stories are asking about are simply, ARE people employed and is that employment appropriate for their age and education? And how does that compare to the general public? What I found, and I can only be general here because I haven't defended or published yet, is that it's about the same.

So YES, Niall, your experience doesn't surprise me, unfortunately. The good news is that you are or were employed. The bad news is that the job was sh*tty.

This is an assumption: a false assumption. What actually happened was that I applied for endless jobs, while being bullied by the so-called Employment Service, or whatever those vile excuses for humanity call themselves these days, until I had a screaming meltdown in the JobCentre. This was before I knew I was an Aspie. All I knew is that I wasn't getting jobs, and had no idea why, until I eventually cracked.

I know why now: I'm too odd for their revolting society.

As the OP's linked article makes clear, they will only accept us on their terms, if we can pretend to be like them sufficiently effectively. This seems to be one of the major drives behind the curebies.

You have to pretend to be someone you're not when working. Everyone does it, autism or not. Saying that you don't have to be someone you're not because you have Aspergers is giving you special treatment and acting like you're different. All jobs require you to wear a mask.

I think there is a big difference between wearing a mask and successfully pretending to be neurotypical. Even I can wear a mask, but despite my best efforts passing as NT remains beyond me.

^^ And autistics can work VERY hard in order to avoid a breakdown. It isn't exactly the same.

They have an employment training team? I thought they got rid of Prospects.

I agree with smudge and Niall's posts.

I'm keenly aware that whether you're working a job or just at a social gathering with people, you're expected to wear a hat or mask like everyone else there is.

The trouble for me isn't learning to wear these masks, but not letting those I'm with see I'm different. Since I learned more about AS and ADHD and what they mean to me, I've been consciously working to break out of my fake NT mask and let myself be me as appropriator to where it is I am and what I'm doing. the result of this is I feel more like myself in many situations but still feel anxious, but not as worried about not letting it show a la Elsa in Frozen.

In regards to the article, I don't think I have anything extraordinary to bring to the workplace, but more to the people around me. I've always had trouble making acquaintance with people throughout school and now even more in college, but when I find my small niche the people I do befriend always say I'm a joy to be around and that my sense of humor is the best.