How Autism Can Help You Land a Job

From March:

How Autism Can Help You Land a Job

Business

SAP, Freddie Mac Recruit Autistic Workers to Fill Roles That Call for Precision; Debugging Software

By Shirley S. Wang

Updated March 27, 2014 8:01 p.m. ET

DUBLIN—Some employers increasingly are viewing autism as an asset and not a deficiency in the workplace.

Germany-based software company SAP AG has been actively seeking people with autism for jobs, not because of charitable outreach but because it believes features of autism may make some individuals better at certain jobs than those without autism. ... It's a worthy initiative, according to disability experts, since 85% of adults with autism are estimated to be unemployed. ... Piloted in Germany, India and Ireland, the program is also launching in four North American offices, according to an announcement Thursday.

SAP aims to have up to 1% of its workforce—about 650 people—be employees with autism by 2020, according to Jose Velasco, head of the autism initiative at SAP in the U.S. ... People with autism spectrum disorder—characterized by social deficits and repetitive behavior—tend to pay great attention to detail, which may make them well suited as software testers or debuggers, according to Mr. Velasco, who has two children with the condition.
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SAP is also considering other positions, such as writing manuals to give clients very precise instructions on how to install software.....

Write to Shirley S. Wang at shirley.wang@wsj.com

Fans of the TV show Monk have probably seen the two episodes that feature Adrian Monk's brother Ambrose, who writes instruction manuals for a living. The episode based on trick or treating at Halloween might be the best Monk episode ever.