Creating Apps for Work for People With Autism

For those students with autism who have the technical abilities, but not the social skills to negotiate a work setting, there is a a very interesting model at a non-profit center in Dallas, housed at the Southern Methodist University. Called the NonPareil Institute, about 80 adults with autism are learning how to design and program apps for iPads, iPhones and Androids: http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9225562/Institute_s_mobile_apps_are_built_by_hands.

This program was started by three fathers of children with autism who were concerned about how their children might be able to be employed considering their challenges. Now these adults have already developed one app for the market and have two more in the pipeline. The parents are currently hoping to build a campus for the program. It is so gratifying to acknowledge that while different, people with autism have skills that can help them be contributing members of society and not just consumers. It is a entirely new way to view autism. Finally, we seem to be getting somewhere in letting the world know that unique capabilities are a strength. Looks very exciting and such potential!

Employment Options for Autism

"Everybody is a genius.  But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will spend its whole life believing that it is stupid."    So said Albert Einstein. Unfortunately, the education system is woefully behind in recognizing the untapped potential of people with autism. They have unique abilities. They are able to sustain their attention on their preferred activities and interests for inordinate amounts of time. They appreciate and thrive on routine, rote work. They have a phenomenal ability to focus on details. These are all characteristics that can be applied to a work setting, given the social support that is also needed.

There are issues, clearly, that need to be worked on. Being organized, arriving to work on time, dressed neatly, hygiene issues - all of these are areas where the person with autism needs guidance. But is that impossible?

I recently learned of a Danish group called "Specialisterne" who are looking to create a program for people with autism here in the bay area. It sounds like a great model, with lots of potential. And also a group in San Francisco called the "Specialist Guild". So, with the tsunami of children aging out of schools and no place to go but day programs, we all should be looking at these models and exploring others. There must be a way to help our students not be 'consumers' of resources, but contributors. We should not be viewing them as a burden within a community, when that can be an unnecessary state. They have many ways that they can be more active participants in the world and they sure aren't going away. So, we need to figure this out!