August 4, 2019
A new trend shows that many private companies are coming forward to
hire people with autism. Experts point out that though there is still a long
way to go towards creating inclusive workspaces, the much needed change is
already here.
Today, there are many private companies that hire people with autism into
their workforce. Since most of the special schools and NGOs provide
youngsters with autism vocational training and technological skills, it
enables them to earn a livelihood and become independent at a very young age.
Reportedly, number of people being hired for jobs are increasing at a rapid
rate since the past couple of years. More companies are becoming aware of the
need to work towards inclusion. Experts point out that this is indeed a much
needed, remarkable and welcome change.
When a person with autism picks up a job, it must be something that suits
their tastes, strengths and preferences. Skills vary from people who have
mild to extreme autism as well. One of the biggest strengths that can be
tapped are their good memory skills. Though they cannot handle
multiple tasks, people with autism can excel in repeating or
doing the same things.
Most of them are good with computers and gadgets, and hence providing them
with a platform to do something with these will be a good idea, and this is
what most companies are working on. There are many basic computer programmes
and courses offered for people with autism so that they can learn and earn on
their own.
Anuradha Krishnamoorthy, is the founder of Krea
eKnowledge Pvt Ltd. and Can DO, a CSR initiative that provides
training and employment for people with disabilities. According to her, the
trend of hiring people with autism has been set off. But there is a long way
to go.
Currently, we have an employee and an intern with autism who are doing
really well at our workspace. It is possible for them to work in offices if
given the right guidance and training, mainly because they have cognitive
abilities. So organisations must tap those skills. We try to focus and give
them data related work. They can collect the information from online
sources and do a little research as well.-Anuradha Krishnamoorthy,
Founder, Krea Knowledge Pvt Ltd
It is important that jobs provided to youngsters with autism must have a
well-defined goal or end point. It is equally important for the boss to
understand their skills and help them work on improving it. With a little bit
of training and patience from co-workers, people with autism can excel at
work places.
Suman John, Founder, Diya Foundation, works
towards empowering people with disabilities to get a job and become
independent.
“The skills and efficiencies of people on the spectrum vary”, says Suman.
“Today there are companies like SAP and Accenture, to name a few, that hires
people with disabilities. 2% of the SAP workforce have to be people in the
autism spectrum and they are very efficient and show higher productivity than
others”, says John.
Anuradha says that more awareness and sensitisation is needed. “The
information that you give people with autism must be crystal clear and it is
great that policies are becoming more inclusive”.
ALSO READ: Career choices for people with autism
Source: https://newzhook.com/story/in-a-welcome-change-more-youngsters-with-autism-are-finding-employment
