Job Hunting for People with High-Functioning Autism or Asperger’s Syndrome
— July 30, 2018Asperger’s Syndrome and high-functioning autism are two of the least severe types of autism spectrum disorder. They are usually characterized by the difficulty to communicate and interact with others. People with Asperger’s Syndrome and high-functioning autism, find it challenging to understand the abstract use of language, and have an obsessive interest in some particular items or information. They often lack typical social skills but have above-average intelligence.
Such types of individuals, in many cases, face hardships to land a proper job for obvious reasons. Barriers in the workforce are a major impediment in this regard. But having Asperger’s or high-functioning autism doesn’t mean that a person is incapable to get meaningful employment.
Autism in Employment: Things Looking Up
Benefits of hiring individuals with autism
Employers have been known to benefit from the qualifications, multiple skills, and experience that a prospective employee brings to an organization. When employers focus on the ability of their employees rather than being uniquely-abled, they can access a bigger pool of qualified workers. But those with some kind of unique abilties, have often been known to perform better than neuro-typical people doing the same job. The government, in recent times, has extended several hiring incentives to companies that are recruiting people on the autism spectrum and other developmental disabilities.
Technology and Autism Spectrum Disorder
Several studies have revealed that people with autism, Asperger’s, or similar other conditions, possess a better attitude towards work, compared to “normal” people. They have a far better attendance record and low turnover rates. These go on to balance the higher costs associated with hiring neuro-typical individuals.
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