The technology industry is becoming increasingly interested in recruiting adults with autism because of their exceptional ability to think analytically, yet around 80% of autistic adults are unemployed
When you think of people with autism, your mind might jump to images of a young boy locked in his own world, unable to connect with others. And while those are both fair representations of autism, the condition comes with many other nuances and complexities.
If we look past Hollywood’s distorted depiction of autism and focus on the science, we find some unique cognitive benefits related to this disorder. That is, individuals with autism have exceptional attention to detail, reduced fixation on social cues, and heightened analytical thinking.
Worldwide the computer software industry is expanding rapidly. AI software revenue is expected to reach $62.5 billion some time in 2022, up 21.3% from 2021, which means there are now more jobs for computer programmers, software engineers, and Information Technology (IT) specialists than ever before.
Whether you’re on the spectrum or have a loved one who is, navigating the tech industry as an autistic individual can be intimidating. But with the right support and preparation, it’s a great place to work and explore career options that could be perfect for you!
This article will give you the information you need about autism in the workplace, job trends within the tech industry that offer opportunities for those with ASD, and insider tips on how you can break into this lucrative field—no matter what your level of autism awareness may be at this moment.
These skills can prove beneficial in fields that demand a lot of logic and problem-solving. As such, many people with autism thrive as software engineers or data analysts—professions that involve a lot of logical reasoning or intense concentration.
Attention to Detail
Autism is associated with an increased attention to detail, which can be both a strength and a weakness. On one hand, they can be great at spotting errors or abnormalities, which makes them excellent at quality assurance in many industries. On the other hand, they can be too fixated on details at the expense of the whole picture, which can be problematic.
In the context of technology, an attention to detail can be an asset. When building computer programs, for example, there are countless tiny steps that require precision. When these steps aren’t done correctly, the program might not do what it’s supposed to. Details are what keep the program intact from start to finish—so having an engineer who pays attention to these details can be extremely helpful.
Reduced Fixation on Social Cues
One of the diagnostic criteria for autism is a reduced fixation on social cues. That is, people with autism are less likely to be swayed by someone else’s emotions or non-verbal expressions. They can often view people’s actions as data points, rather than as a whole. This can be a boon for careers that rely on precise data analysis.
Data analysts must be able to look past the emotions and opinions of others in order to create unbiased and accurate reports. Research shows that people with autism are less swayed by these emotions and opinions. This allows them to better focus on what’s really going on in the data.
Heightened Analytical Thinking
People with autism often have an exceptional ability to think analytically. They tend to focus on the big picture and disregard the details, which can be useful in some contexts. Autism and Innovation Studies show that innovators are less likely to be swayed by social cues.
They ignore what’s considered normal and conventional, and instead focus on their own perspectives and analyses. And, as mentioned earlier, people with autism seem to be particularly good at this. They’re less likely to be swayed by others’ reactions, which can be helpful for innovators who seek to make changes that disrupt the norm.
Confidence in Solving Problems
People with autism have an enhanced ability to focus on specific problems. They’re less likely to become distracted by other thoughts or factors, which can make them excellent problem-solvers. Autism and Creativity Creativity is often thought to thrive in distraction. That is, we think of artists as being too preoccupied with their own thoughts to notice the world around them.
Researchers have found that autistic people are actually more creative than non-autistic people. And that creativity is linked to the fact that autistic people aren’t distracted by the world around them. This allows them to focus on their creative process undisturbed.
Life of a Technology Consultant with Autism
A love of technology and a drive to help others can be the catalyst for a career in consulting. Working as a technology consultant with autism can be an exciting opportunity for someone who meets these requirements.
There are many consulting firms that hire consultants on a contract basis, but you don’t need to have contacts to find work. Working as a technology consultant with is not something everyone wants to do; however, it is perfect for those who are passionate about their skills and helping people who need their services.
Let’s take a look at some of the pros and of this type of career along with what you should expect if you plan on working as a consultant with an autism diagnosis.
What Is a Technology Consultant?
A technology consultant is someone who has expertise in a certain field of technology and offers their services to companies or individuals to help them with their technology needs. These needs can range from simple questions on specific products to designing a brand new system with the latest technology.
Technology consultants come in all shapes and sizes, but they typically have a background in one or several areas of technology. The most common fields of technology are computer, networking, and cyber security. However, there are many other areas of technology that a technology consultant can help in.
5 Different Ways Technology Affects People with Autism
In the past several years, we’ve seen an increase in public awareness about autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the unique challenges individuals with ASD face. While most people tend to think of ASD as a set of narrow diagnostic criteria, anyone who meets those criteria has different experiences related to their diagnosis.
With so much attention on ASD, it’s natural that many adults with the condition find new ways to express themselves and connect with others. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the different ways technology has helped people with autism through various apps and devices.
1. Communicating Through Technology
Communication is one of the key challenges individuals with ASD face. People with ASD often have difficulty understanding and expressing themselves to others, as well as reading nonverbal communication from others.
Tone of voice, facial expression, and body language can all be barriers to effective communication. For people who are nonverbal or who have limited speech, communication apps can be a useful tool for keeping connected with others.
There are a number of communication apps that use picture boards or emojis to help people with ASD articulate their thoughts. Visual communication is often easier for people with ASD to understand, so these communication apps are helpful for many individuals.
Many communication apps are also designed to work across devices, and some have features that allow users to stay anonymous while communicating. These features can be helpful for people with ASD who may have trouble connecting with others due to challenges with communication.
2. Video Communication Apps
Apps like FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, and Messenger let you connect with others by video. If you have a child with ASD who is new to communication (or is nonverbal), video communication can be a great way to start them off.
While audio communication is good for quick questions and comments, video can be used for more in-depth discussions. Some apps, like FaceTime, will also let two people talk with each other at the same time.
Video communication can also be helpful for adults with ASD who don’t use speech as their primary method of communication. Many of these apps also make it easy to share written messages with the video call, which can be helpful for individuals who don’t always communicate verbally.
3. Virtual Assistants
When people with ASD get overwhelmed, they may shut down. This shutdown can impact a person’s ability to communicate or be productive, which can lead to feelings of isolation. Virtual assistants can help individuals avoid this shutdown and stay connected with important people and tasks.
These apps can help with things like reminders, communication, and organisation. Some of them are also designed for kids and teens with ASD to help them stay organised and manage their time. Virtual assistants can be helpful for anyone who has trouble keeping track of their schedule and staying organised. But these apps can be particularly helpful for individuals with ASD who may want to avoid a traditional paper calendar.
4. Gaming Platforms
Games are a great way to make new friends, explore new interests, and have fun while you’re at it. They’re also a great communication tool, particularly for teens and adults with ASD. Some gaming platforms, like Minecraft and Xbox, have features that make them accessible to those with disabilities.
These features may include colorblind-friendly visuals, built-in text-to-speech functionality, or modified controls and game settings. If you’re interested in connecting with others through gaming, you can also look into platforms that let you go online and play with others. You can do things like playing online games or joining in on group discussions on platforms like Discord.
5. Apps That Help With Organisation And Memory
If you have ASD, you may struggle with organisation and memory. Having the right tools and apps can help you stay organised and remember the important things in your life. Many apps that help with organisation and memory are designed for people with disabilities.
Several organizational apps are designed to support people with ASD, including apps that help with scheduling, to-do lists, and more. You can also check out apps like Voice Dream, which lets you record your thoughts and set timers for breaks.
If you’re interested in staying organised, there are many types of organisational apps that can help people with ASD. Many of these apps are designed to help people with disabilities and are accessible across various devices. This can be helpful for people who use assistive technologies, like screen readers and voice recognition software.
Suitable hiring processes and working environment for people autism
When you are increasing your workforce and want to employ people with autism, you must consider several things to guarantee the ideal environment.
The hiring procedure may be overwhelming and intimidating, and many people are unable to get jobs because of the interview. Autistic individuals perform better in a recruitment procedure in which they are allowed to display their abilities over time.
With computer-based interviews, autistic individuals receive instant feedback, which improves their performance and results in more job offers.
To receive immediate feedback, companies have developed assessments that emphasise practical skills over social skills, ask longer interview questions, and use games on computers to assess certain characteristics.
It’s good to consider placing employees with autism in technology industry in an environment that minimises background noise, distractions, bright lighting, and other problems,. If you want your autistic consultant to perform well, you should provide them with a quiet area with minimal background noise, few distractions, and away from printers and bright lighting.
Companies can assist employees with autism by making certain adjustments to their working environment, including providing them with noise-cancelling headphones, a predictable schedule for managers, specific job duties, clear reminders, comments and reassurance, and behavioral support.
5 “Big Tech” companies hiring autistic adults
1. IBM
IBM leverages the abilities of adults with autism to benefit their customers. The Watson Content Clarifier application, which reduces auditory distraction, is offered to help new employees adapt to their roles.
2. Microsoft
Jobs at Microsoft are available to participants in the Microsoft Autism Hiring Program, including software engineer, service engineer, build engineer, lab engineer, data analyst, and data scientist. All new employees receive support including a job coach and Microsoft mentors. An internship programme for university students is also offered.
3. Dell
Dell’s Autism Hiring Program is an opportunity to rethink the traditional interview process. Candidates are prescreened to gauge their interest and experience. Those who are qualified are invited to participate in a two-week skills assessment that provides a clear picture of the value the applicant can provide.
4. Ultranauts
Ultranauts provides outsourced software engineering and quality assurance to a wide variety of businesses, startups, and digital consulting firms. Approximately 75% of its employees are on the autism spectrum. Ultranuts has been lauded for its innovative remote approach to employing people with autism.
5. SAP
SAP’s Autism at Work programme, founded in 2013, is one of the first programmes to employ autistic adults. The programme helps autistic adults overcome issues when interviewing, joining SAP, and adjusting to a new job. SAP cites its 90 percent employee retention rates as being due to mentorship and other assistance
Conclusion
When you look past the Hollywood stereotypes, it’s clear that autism comes with many benefits in the technology field. People with autism have an exceptional attention to detail, reduced fixation on social cues, and heightened analytical thinking.
These skills can prove beneficial in industries that demand a lot of logic and problem-solving. However, these skills can also make it difficult for autistic people to work in certain industries, niches, branches and especially those with heightened focus and proficiencies in targeted knowledge area’s.
For example, an individual who can compose a line of code to decipher a password can differ greatly from another who can deploy strict security rules on a web application firewall
