By Kevin Carter
The UN, in 2007, declared 2 April as the World Autism Awareness Day to be observed with a different theme each year. The theme last year was employment opportunities for adults with autism spectrum disorder.
Underemployment and unemployment are the two major issues faced by adults with autism today. According to UN estimates, more than 80% of adults with autism are unemployed. A Drexel University study in 2013, revealed that less than 54% of young adults on the spectrum were ever gainfully employed, in the first eight years of finishing high school. Besides, only 20% worked full-time in any job. Inadequate vocational training, widespread discrimination, and lack of on-job coaching were some of the reasons behind the low employment rate of adults with autism.
Therapists and counselors, however, say that with proper training and accommodation, adults with autism can reduce dependency on the disability benefits paid by the government. At the same time, they can become valuable team members in various competitive industries.
Missed opportunities
Notwithstanding the harsh facts, people with autism spectrum disorder can offer several advantages to prospective employers. They thrive on routine exercises and are very reliable. People with autism also excel in logical reasoning and pattern recognition. They can help people in tiding over crises by memorizing emergency procedures. Autistic people are usually very meticulous regarding details and can detect even minor discrepancies.
Here are four sectors where adults with autism can excel.
#1 Technology
In 2013, German software company SAP announced its plans to recruit autistic computer programmers and product testers, as part of its plans to think differently and trigger innovation. The company works closely with a nongovernment organization to harness the talent and special characteristics of people on the autism spectrum and use them for competitive advantage, and as a means for helping people with autism secure gainful employment. Many tech companies have since opened up to hiring autistic persons.
#2 Food service
In Cadillac, Michigan, the After 26 Depot is a nonprofit banquet hall and restaurant which trains and employs adults with cognitive and developmental disabilities. Public schools in the state have to extend special education services through the age of 26, unless the student earns a high school diploma. That’s how the restaurant got its name.
#3 Arts
People with autism are known to excel in fine arts because it calls for attention to details. Painting, pottery, weaving, photography, digital arts, woodwork, culinary, and similar arts could be happy hunting grounds for people with autism spectrum disorder.
#4 Large retail chains
Many large retail chains in the US and Europe have now opened up to hire adults with autism. They are even being allowed to handle cash and payroll. They also excel in stock taking, batching and similar activities.
The key to help adults with autism land a job is to encourage their areas of interest early on. This’ll help them to pursue their dreams and convert them to career options. To attain success, parents must help their kids develop natural talent. In most cases, recognizing talent is the first step towards gainful employment later in life.
Some manpwoer agencies help in hiring people with autism. They also train candidates before putting them up for interview
