David Baxter PhD
Late Founder
Aspergers and Employment
by Rudy Simone
March 12, 2011
We make great employees because of Aspergers, not despite it
All of a sudden everyone's talking about the issue of employment and Asperger Syndrome, a subject which I wrote about last year in my book, Asperger's on the Job. People on the spectrum make great employees precisely because of Aspergers, not in spite of it.
Our aversion to socializing, chit chat, our desire to focus on the tasks at hand, make us desirable employees to any sensible employer. But what we find when we get into the workplace is that we are judged on social issues, not on the quality of our work.
People may find our tics unnerving, our aversion to eye contact suspicious, our ability to throw a social conversation off track annoying. We have our own way of thinking, our own way of communicating, and since we are a minority, our behavior is seen as inappropriate. Tosh, so what if we'd rather talk about our special interests, which may be as diverse as science, art, music, math, etc. than talk about what Charlie Sheen is up to. We see that as irrelevant nonsense. We don't want to be a team player, unless of course, it is called for. While firefighters certainly need to have each others' backs, there is no need for such emphasis on 'the team' if you're an accountant or some other more solitary worker. The open plan office has been proven to be counter-productive; I even quoted government reports in my book that back this up. There's too much distraction to stay focused, and creative thoughts go out the window as creativity needs a quiet gestation period to flourish. This is true even for NTs (nonautistics) who enjoy the presence and energy of others. The open plan office exists merely to save money, but smart companies know that a lot of work today can be done from home. With computers, there's little need for people to even go to an office.
If you are worried about the aspie employee doing a good job without supervision, you needn't bother. Our motivation, if we like our job, comes from within. If you ask me to mow your lawn, paint your wall, or perform brain surgery, I will do the best job possible, as long as it is within my skill set. I do not need big brother watching me, and scrutiny, rather than helping me, makes me shut down. I need to know what you need and when you need it by. If detailed instructions are required, I'll write them down. I've heard of employers mocking aspie employees for extensive note taking. Ridiculous. It is how our minds work. I also require visual maps to know which way to turn when I come out of a building. Even if I go to that building frequently. It doesn't make me stupid. Just different.
I am tired of hearing about 'mainstreaming' us. The world is in flux, the economy is changing, the face of employment is changing. There are too many corporations telling humans how to behave. For many on the spectrum, a quiet, solitary craft will be their best employment option, from landscaping, to watch-making, writing, designing, painting, or inventing. Of course, whether we are self-employed or not, we still need social contact and social skills. But for the sake of others, who must work in an environment of many, there should be a concerted effort made to understand the autistic brain. Why it is different, how it is different.
People on the spectrum have a glass wall around them in any social situation. This affects our ability to hold relationships and jobs. We can see out, but often people don't bother to try and see in, more than superficially. If you have a co-worker or employee who is different, who has Aspergers or you suspect may, read about it. Take the time. Personally I think that autism sensitivity training should be mandated like sexual harassment training. But there's only 70+ million of us, so I guess that doesn't warrant it?
I'm happy that I work mostly alone, but it's not that I always wanted to lead this solitary life. It is that every time I put myself in an office, shop or restaurant, I was ridiculed, bullied and ostracized. Even today, when I'm performing in a comedy or jazz club, I see camaraderie among people I will never share. The only time I feel comfort and acceptance is when I'm alone, or presenting at an autism conference. Still, I have found a life that suits me. But it took decades to do so. I would rather spare our young people that pain.
Rudy Simone is the author of Asperger's on the Job among other books.
by Rudy Simone
March 12, 2011
We make great employees because of Aspergers, not despite it
All of a sudden everyone's talking about the issue of employment and Asperger Syndrome, a subject which I wrote about last year in my book, Asperger's on the Job. People on the spectrum make great employees precisely because of Aspergers, not in spite of it.
Our aversion to socializing, chit chat, our desire to focus on the tasks at hand, make us desirable employees to any sensible employer. But what we find when we get into the workplace is that we are judged on social issues, not on the quality of our work.
People may find our tics unnerving, our aversion to eye contact suspicious, our ability to throw a social conversation off track annoying. We have our own way of thinking, our own way of communicating, and since we are a minority, our behavior is seen as inappropriate. Tosh, so what if we'd rather talk about our special interests, which may be as diverse as science, art, music, math, etc. than talk about what Charlie Sheen is up to. We see that as irrelevant nonsense. We don't want to be a team player, unless of course, it is called for. While firefighters certainly need to have each others' backs, there is no need for such emphasis on 'the team' if you're an accountant or some other more solitary worker. The open plan office has been proven to be counter-productive; I even quoted government reports in my book that back this up. There's too much distraction to stay focused, and creative thoughts go out the window as creativity needs a quiet gestation period to flourish. This is true even for NTs (nonautistics) who enjoy the presence and energy of others. The open plan office exists merely to save money, but smart companies know that a lot of work today can be done from home. With computers, there's little need for people to even go to an office.
If you are worried about the aspie employee doing a good job without supervision, you needn't bother. Our motivation, if we like our job, comes from within. If you ask me to mow your lawn, paint your wall, or perform brain surgery, I will do the best job possible, as long as it is within my skill set. I do not need big brother watching me, and scrutiny, rather than helping me, makes me shut down. I need to know what you need and when you need it by. If detailed instructions are required, I'll write them down. I've heard of employers mocking aspie employees for extensive note taking. Ridiculous. It is how our minds work. I also require visual maps to know which way to turn when I come out of a building. Even if I go to that building frequently. It doesn't make me stupid. Just different.
I am tired of hearing about 'mainstreaming' us. The world is in flux, the economy is changing, the face of employment is changing. There are too many corporations telling humans how to behave. For many on the spectrum, a quiet, solitary craft will be their best employment option, from landscaping, to watch-making, writing, designing, painting, or inventing. Of course, whether we are self-employed or not, we still need social contact and social skills. But for the sake of others, who must work in an environment of many, there should be a concerted effort made to understand the autistic brain. Why it is different, how it is different.
People on the spectrum have a glass wall around them in any social situation. This affects our ability to hold relationships and jobs. We can see out, but often people don't bother to try and see in, more than superficially. If you have a co-worker or employee who is different, who has Aspergers or you suspect may, read about it. Take the time. Personally I think that autism sensitivity training should be mandated like sexual harassment training. But there's only 70+ million of us, so I guess that doesn't warrant it?
I'm happy that I work mostly alone, but it's not that I always wanted to lead this solitary life. It is that every time I put myself in an office, shop or restaurant, I was ridiculed, bullied and ostracized. Even today, when I'm performing in a comedy or jazz club, I see camaraderie among people I will never share. The only time I feel comfort and acceptance is when I'm alone, or presenting at an autism conference. Still, I have found a life that suits me. But it took decades to do so. I would rather spare our young people that pain.
Rudy Simone is the author of Asperger's on the Job among other books.
