When recruiting, employers typically focus on a particular role or position. They ask: ‘Can the new employee take over the tasks of the old employee?” But cultural and organizational fit is also important. In fact, a popular saying is “hire for organizational fit, train for skill.” Or, “hire for attitude, not aptitude.”
It is a known fact that individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder present a particular set of skills, talents, and abilities that bring value to an organization. And that these skills, talents, and abilities may not be found to the same degree within neurotypical individuals. But people with autism also bring characteristics to a business that contribute to a healthy and sustainable culture.
Here are 6 ways that individuals with autism can benefit business culture:
1. Integrity and honesty: Individuals with autism often are characterized as having black and white thinking. They “tell it like they see it.” While this honesty can be surprising, it is also effective in getting to the heart of issues that are often disguised behind niceties and office politics. This allows issues to be resolved long before they reach a boiling point.
2. Focus: Individuals with ASD often excel at tasks that can seem repetitive and overly complex. Their ability to focus for extended periods of time allow them to efficiently engage in the task at hand, often surpassing expected deadlines and falling well below acceptable margins of error.
3. Detail Orientation: Specialists are often able to process and work with complex sets of data effectively and over long periods of time. They are able to find differences and changes in patterns that might typically be overlooked. They will not only find the needle in the haystack, they will enjoy the search.
4. Process Optimization: Often, with their eye for detail, individuals with autism will recognize steps that aren’t necessary to complete the objective and won’t hesitate to communicate these inefficiencies. This can lead to a fresh perspective on old systems, which can lead to time and money saving changes that will benefit the organization.
5. Loyalty and commitment: There is a saying about individuals with ASD: they don’t dig many holes, they dig one hole deep. Individuals with autism aren’t typically jockeying for that next promotion or great business to jump to. They want to be valued and appreciated for the skills and ability they bring to the job and want the opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way.
6. A different way of thinking: Mind Shift doesn’t see autism is a disability. It is a different ability. It is a different way of seeing the world. Visionaries will tell you that one needs to see differently to come up with new methods, solutions, and ideas. It’s this unique way of seeing the world that can bring game-changing innovation and inspiration to an organization.
Because of the way they process information, and the unique way they see the world, individuals with autism excel at particular tasks and roles, but they also present a positive influence the organization as a whole.
To learn more about how autism employment will benefit your business and your culture, contact Mind Shift at info@mindshift.works.