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Autisic Spectrum Conditions & the world of work Template
02 What is an ASC? • Autism spectrum condition (ASC) is a condition that affects social interaction, communication, interests and behaviour.
• Why use Autism spectrum condition over Autism spectrum disorder?
03 In the UK, it's estimated that about one in every 100 people has an ASC. There is no 'cure' for ASC, but a wide range of interventions– including education and behaviour support – can help people with the condition.
04 In the UK only 15% of adults with autism are in paid employment compared to 48% of people with general disabilities.
05 There are specific qualities that people with autism have that can benefit your business and productivity:
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Intense focus can come naturally to them.
Template Autistic people’s intensity can be an asset that helps them
focus on the task at hand. For example, an autistic employee who works as a kitchen assistant’s extreme focusing ability allows him to wash huge piles of dishes quickly without stopping or complaining. His supervisor remarked that he was “like a machine” and couldn’t believe how hard and fast he worked. The employee said the repetition was comforting to him and he just “ploughed right through it”.
07 Autistic individuals can bring enormous creativity. Autistic people’s minds are wired differently, and their imaginations can be extreme. Managers should take advantage of this when looking for creative ideas or new ways to solve problems. If they give autistic team members opportunities to share their ideas, those ideas can lead to brilliant new concepts.
08 Did you know? The Israeli Defence Force’s Satellite Intelligence Unit 9900 assigns autistic soldiers to monitor electronic combat maps for even the minutest changes. Their rare ability to focus for hours on end provides better results than non-autistic soldiers. During their training, young men and women learn how to decipher maps and aerial photographs. The soldiers also achieve greater independence as they learn to execute basic but essential tasks such as riding the bus to and from base.
09 Autistic employees’ passions can lead to productivity. Because autistic individuals often have intense, specific interests, the best jobs are those that allow them to be involved with those interests. An employee who is perfectly suited to a position because of a passion results in a winwin situation. They will love working in his area of extensive knowledge and be hyper-focused and productive.
10 Not only should employers be aware of autistic employees’ strengths, they should also learn about some of their challenges, and how to accommodate them for better productivity.
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Software powerhouse SAP is actively searching for people with autism for jobs that require high attention to detail such as software testing. It hopes to have people with autism make up one percent of their workforce by 2020.
12 As leaders, creating an environment where highfunctioning autistic employees can thrive is more than demonstrating social responsibility and diversity. It also yields the results that businesses need to not just survive, but thrive.
12 As leaders, creating an environment where highfunctioning autistic employees can thrive is more than demonstrating social responsibility and diversity. It also yields the results that businesses need to not just survive, but thrive.
“Autism is not a disability, it’s a different ability� Stuart Duncan, Author and Father of a child with an ASC.
13 Thank You