Coding Autism - Job Training for the ASD Community

[Anonymous]

I have a preschooler with autism and work with autistic college students in trying to find employment. Just because a job is not a good fit for all individuals with autism does not mean that programs like this are not incredibly beneficial to the community. More and more tech companies have shown interest in hiring from the autism community. As those initiatives succeed, I believe we will see more of a variety of options open up. You have to start somewhere.

[Anonymous]

The thing with programming is it's not fuzzy and subjective. It's predictable and controllable. You don't have to be a genius to code, though I'm sure that doesn't hurt. Coding is largely also an individual task and people don't bug you all the time. You have meetings for requirements and review and you work with testers, etc, but it's not a group task so it's a lot less stressful than working with other people all the time. And generally the other people care more about how well you code than how well you socialize or what social norms you're not conforming to. I know it's not for everyone, but there is something supremely satisfying in coding. And it's really not all that repetitious .. it's actually anti-repetition because if you need to do something more than once you write a script to do it for you.

[Anonymous]

This idea -- providing more access to employment in specific fields like tech that are thought to be a good match with skills or behaviors that are thought to be more prevalent in the autism community -- is not new. The Danes have pioneered it. This tech-professional and father to a son with autism founded a Danish NGO called Specialisterne almost 10 years ago. This organization has developed an extensive network of programs globally to provide people with autism a chance to explore employment opportunities and develop appropriate skills and job opportunities. A number of large companies are involved. I don't know the program personally, but have read or seen many news stories about it over the years.

http://specialisternefoundation.com/about/thorkils-story/
http://specialisternefoundation.com

They even have some programs in the US:
http://specialisternefoundation.com/usa-pre-employment-program/

But these US programs are not as highly developed yet as those in Europe.

FWIW, if you look at the link posted by the OP, the person listed as the CEO and Founder -- Oliver Thornton -- describes himself as being diagnosed with Asperger's at age 2 and having a brother diagnosed with autism.

You can argue about whether this group has the appropriate model and experience to develop this idea, but at least they don't seem to be a bunch of people unaware about autism as some PPs suggest.

[Anonymous]

I think we can all agree that it's great to direct more resources to jobs for adults with autism. But I also agree that assuming that coding is the right fit, or the ONLY fit, could be harmful. So while these efforts are good, they should also be careful about the language and assumptions they are using. And other sectors also need to think about accommodations they can make, rather than thinking that autistic people just need to be shunted into jobs where the perception is that social skills are not required. We should make an effort to have all workplaces be open to coaching on social skills etc more openly (that would be good for everyone!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think we can all agree that it's great to direct more resources to jobs for adults with autism. But I also agree that assuming that coding is the right fit, or the ONLY fit, could be harmful. So while these efforts are good, they should also be careful about the language and assumptions they are using. And other sectors also need to think about accommodations they can make, rather than thinking that autistic people just need to be shunted into jobs where the perception is that social skills are not required. We should make an effort to have all workplaces be open to coaching on social skills etc more openly (that would be good for everyone!)

But no one is doing that. These people are only saying that coding is *a* good fit for *some* autistic people. Presumably they also have the skill to teach coding.

If you see a different profession that would be *a* good fit for *some* autistic people, you are free to set up your own organization to teach the necessary skills.

Just because someone can't do everything -- teach every skill that any autistic person could possibly want to learn -- doesn't mean they should be criticized for doing something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a preschooler with autism and work with autistic college students in trying to find employment. Just because a job is not a good fit for all individuals with autism does not mean that programs like this are not incredibly beneficial to the community. More and more tech companies have shown interest in hiring from the autism community. As those initiatives succeed, I believe we will see more of a variety of options open up. You have to start somewhere.

+ 1

This whole thread is an example of people letting the perfect get in the way of the good.
- parent of ASD middle schooler; HR director at a non-tech company currently considering these very issues in our hiring efforts

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a preschooler with autism and work with autistic college students in trying to find employment. Just because a job is not a good fit for all individuals with autism does not mean that programs like this are not incredibly beneficial to the community. More and more tech companies have shown interest in hiring from the autism community. As those initiatives succeed, I believe we will see more of a variety of options open up. You have to start somewhere.

+ 1

This whole thread is an example of people letting the perfect get in the way of the good.
- parent of ASD middle schooler; HR director at a non-tech company currently considering these very issues in our hiring efforts

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think we can all agree that it's great to direct more resources to jobs for adults with autism. But I also agree that assuming that coding is the right fit, or the ONLY fit, could be harmful. So while these efforts are good, they should also be careful about the language and assumptions they are using. And other sectors also need to think about accommodations they can make, rather than thinking that autistic people just need to be shunted into jobs where the perception is that social skills are not required. We should make an effort to have all workplaces be open to coaching on social skills etc more openly (that would be good for everyone!)

But no one is doing that. These people are only saying that coding is *a* good fit for *some* autistic people. Presumably they also have the skill to teach coding.

If you see a different profession that would be *a* good fit for *some* autistic people, you are free to set up your own organization to teach the necessary skills.

Just because someone can't do everything -- teach every skill that any autistic person could possibly want to learn -- doesn't mean they should be criticized for doing something.

ITAWT -- yes industries everywhere should accommodate all kinds of disabilities, not just autism, but mental health and language and hearing and etc. BUT, it helps to have specific examples of successes, even if it is for different disabilities. If I want to make my business more welcoming to a wider range of employees, I can look at what these autism employment organizations did and generalize process to tailor to my own industry. I'm going to think about specific job responsibilities, skills and behavior necessary, how to train the employee (both those that may ultimately fit and those that don't ultimately fit but still profit from what training or assessment I do) and how to train the other work colleagues to support the new employee. And, hopefully, I will generalize even further to thinking more about what a diverse workforce needs on every level of that diversity (gender, race, sexuality, income level, age, etc.) and not just in terms of NT or not NT.

The big progress comes in small steps for specific groups over time.

In fact, the Specialisterne/Australia is expanding thinking to jobs in agriculture for people with autism. Yes, still autism-related, but maybe once the agriculture industry sees that there is room for one thing, they will see the benefit of making room for others.

[Anonymous]

Parents,

Any information on employnent possibilities or new efforts is very important to share on such forums because sharing information might click now or in ten years for parents with a young adult with Autism. There are stereotypes of many disabilities and what kind of work they may like. You may not like the messenger, but be open to the information.

No one should make assumptions about a person with a disability because each is an individual. Also, the decisions for how much a person may work is very personal. Nothing is necessarily all black or white unless one can be employed enough hours to get health care and other benefits.

Anything less most likely will mean a family will need to carefully consider how working may influence benefits and the all important aspect of health care.

A If you think learning about supplementslmSecuritybIncome (SSI)and Medicaid is hard.

B Then you add Supplementsl Security Disability Income (SSDI) with earning limitations and rules and after 24 months Medicare. And then the possible loss by earning too much.

It is not easy because families need to weigh working in terms of not only hours and pay; but also government financial benefits AND all important health care. Given the flux of our entire health care system today, these are no small considerations for a family.

We should all welcome information and the flexibility to support our son or daughter to have the fullest life possible and not criticize a family's choice.

In our case, our daughter's job fits her focus, stamina and skills set. Forbus,there is no issue of working too much to earn too much to lose her SSDI or Medicare. We are 12 years in post school with a daughter who works 14 hours at a job and makes $11.67 an hour since finishing a post high program. She has Medicare as primary and Medicaid as secondary. She works during the college academic year. She also volunteers weekly. Here SSDI is $1300 a month drawn from her work record and her Dad's once he retired on the Diasabled Adult Child Benefit. In our case we have balanced out her job with her benefits and health care coverage for our family. We are all Medicare. She is also on a DD Waiver Waiting list, but unlikely to ever receive a slot while we are here.

[Anonymous]

The one thing I noticed as a special education teacher is that each child with autism is different. What's wrong with broadcasting an opportunity that might benefit some individuals and families? I know that many who participate in this forum are hurting, but isn't this supposed to be the nice forum where participants treated each other with respect and compassion? It seems that there are some new nasty posters who are ruining things for everyone. It's hard to post when you know that someone will almost inevitably label you and your post offensive, regardless of what you say.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The one thing I noticed as a special education teacher is that each child with autism is different. What's wrong with broadcasting an opportunity that might benefit some individuals and families? I know that many who participate in this forum are hurting, but isn't this supposed to be the nice forum where participants treated each other with respect and compassion? It seems that there are some new nasty posters who are ruining things for everyone. It's hard to post when you know that someone will almost inevitably label you and your post offensive, regardless of what you say.

I think we can think critically without being called "nasty." yes, this is a great program. but it is always important to think about how your words and images promote stereotypes, particularly when the program is likely to be fodder for shallow feel-good social media stories that further dumb down the message. some people with autism might be great coders; but I think it is important to be critical of suggestions that people with autism can only have jobs where they are socially isolated. because my guess is that to be a successful coder you *still* need social supports at work, and conversely there are many other types of work autistic people can do.

[Anonymous]

For the benefit of all on this thread, Coding Autism has reached its crowd-sourcing funding goal.

To see more about the next steps, including the backstory of Oliver, the originator of the entity, and his brother (both are on the Spectrum), please see: http://codingautism.com/ I suspect there will also be additional press related to next steps.

Thank you for the opportunity to post this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For the benefit of all on this thread, Coding Autism has reached its crowd-sourcing funding goal.

To see more about the next steps, including the backstory of Oliver, the originator of the entity, and his brother (both are on the Spectrum), please see: http://codingautism.com/ I suspect there will also be additional press related to next steps.

Thank you for the opportunity to post this.

That's great news!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The one thing I noticed as a special education teacher is that each child with autism is different. What's wrong with broadcasting an opportunity that might benefit some individuals and families? I know that many who participate in this forum are hurting, but isn't this supposed to be the nice forum where participants treated each other with respect and compassion? It seems that there are some new nasty posters who are ruining things for everyone. It's hard to post when you know that someone will almost inevitably label you and your post offensive, regardless of what you say.

I think we can think critically without being called "nasty." yes, this is a great program. but it is always important to think about how your words and images promote stereotypes, particularly when the program is likely to be fodder for shallow feel-good social media stories that further dumb down the message. some people with autism might be great coders; but I think it is important to be critical of suggestions that people with autism can only have jobs where they are socially isolated. because my guess is that to be a successful coder you *still* need social supports at work, and conversely there are many other types of work autistic people can do.

Did you even look at the program website? Nowhere does it suggest it will be a good fit for all people with autism. Also, they specifically provide social skill development as one of their services and provide job coaches and mentors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The one thing I noticed as a special education teacher is that each child with autism is different. What's wrong with broadcasting an opportunity that might benefit some individuals and families? I know that many who participate in this forum are hurting, but isn't this supposed to be the nice forum where participants treated each other with respect and compassion? It seems that there are some new nasty posters who are ruining things for everyone. It's hard to post when you know that someone will almost inevitably label you and your post offensive, regardless of what you say.

I think we can think critically without being called "nasty." yes, this is a great program. but it is always important to think about how your words and images promote stereotypes, particularly when the program is likely to be fodder for shallow feel-good social media stories that further dumb down the message. some people with autism might be great coders; but I think it is important to be critical of suggestions that people with autism can only have jobs where they are socially isolated. because my guess is that to be a successful coder you *still* need social supports at work, and conversely there are many other types of work autistic people can do.

Did you even look at the program website? Nowhere does it suggest it will be a good fit for all people with autism. Also, they specifically provide social skill development as one of their services and provide job coaches and mentors.

I'm talking about how this program will be discussed in the media. Also somewhat concerning that it is going to cost a lot of money with no guarantee of a job.