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I hired someone with Asperger's – now what?

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Re: I hired someone with Asperger's – now what?

#21

Post by JohnBooty »

smoyer wrote: post #5
malaporte wrote: post #2

Hmm I sometimes wonder if I might not have this thing. I do share quite a lot of characteristics they describe...

It's not so much as a "thing" as it is "shades of grey". Autism is considered a spectrum disorder with a huge range of capabilities included. I've got some of the tendencies too. I've overcome all the social aspects, but I still often prefer being alone to think. Being social actually takes work but "being the machine" (as the article calls it) is easy. EDIT: And of course I'll hire someone with Aspergers ... but may…

I love what you said about the spectrum; it can't be re-said enough because I think it's a thing a lot of people don't get.

  > ... but maybe not for a sales position where 
  > schmoozing customers is a big part of the job.
I think that makes sense the vast majority of the time. I think in some cases Aspergian tendencies can be an aid to salespeople.

I've never been diagnosed with Aspergers, but I definitely share some of the tendencies. At some point around junior high / high school (in the late 80's and early 90's, having never heard of "Aspergers") I realized I had to really start putting a lot of effort into figuring out how other people thought because it wasn't something that came naturally to me.

Over the years I got a lot better at it. I certainly get it wrong a lot of the time (who doesn't) but overall I think I'm better than average at it.

To me it's similar to the phenomenon of non-native English speakers often speaking English more properly than native English speakers: the non-native English speakers have often made a conscious effort to learn the language from books and professionals whereas most native English speakers simply pick up an imperfect version of English from their parents at a very young age without conscious effort.

Since understanding others didn't come naturally to me, I had to actually really think about it and work about it for a lot of years!

Re: I hired someone with Asperger's – now what?

#22

Post by JohnBooty »

p6v53as wrote: post #12

"I have Asperger's: I am just like you" Um, not to hate or anything, but there is a reason it is called autistic syndrome. Autistic people lack the ability to form a "theory of brain", which means they just do not understand other people's intentions that well. You can't ignore this fact and hope it will go away.

Aspergers is a relatively minor form of autism. (Not that the effects on one's life are always "minor", but it's minor compared to e.g. folks with severe autism that require assisted living)

All cases are different, but those with Aspergers can learn to understand others with effort. It's not impossible for them, it just doesn't come very naturally and will perhaps require extra effort and dedication.

Re: I hired someone with Asperger's – now what?

#24

Post by ambiate »

gtufano wrote: post #18
ambiate wrote: post #14

Coming to a blog post, why most computer specialists relate to autism. It is very important to keep in mind there is a broad spectrum. Holding two strong relationships with a total of three children with Asperger's or high functioning autism (ages: 3-6, 7-9, 10-12) and a few here and there, it has really broadened my view on the subject. First, language is a barrier. Social awkwardness naturally follows that barrier.…

As a father with a child with autism spectrum disorder (it is not fully diagnosed until 6-8) I strongly second to have your children tested and enrolled as soon as possible (ideally as soon as you have any doubt or see any sign). Therapies can have almost magical effects if started early, much less as time passes.

This, a hundred times this. Confronting the possibility prior to frontal lobe development can radically redirect a life. In the spectrum, frontal lobe development can almost equate to tabula rasa on certain traits. It annoys me when parents ignore the signs and are literally altering the path of their child. Embrace it, because when the teen years approach and the decade following, they will fall into place and you will most likely get rewarded with the relationship that every parent wants with their grown kids.

I think this goes out to all parents. If your kid does not enjoy the things you want to do with them, set aside time and do some of the things they want to do. You're investing in a lifelong relationship. Years will pass and that opportunity will not come back.

Re: I hired someone with Asperger's – now what?

#25

Post by danneu »

catzhang wrote: post #8

Don't worry. Asperger's syndrome will be removed from DSM-5 next month. So next month, the person won't have the syndrome anymore...The syndrome won't even exist anymore... http://www2.macleans.ca/2012/12/04/aspergers-syndrome-to-be-...

Much of the DSM is toxic legacy from the dark ages of psychiatry -- an era that we've yet to transcend.

Meanwhile, your conclusion doesn't seem to fit with the text of the article you linked.

You say:

    > Asperger's syndrome will be removed from DSM-5 next month.
    > So next month, the person won't have the syndrome anymore...
    > The syndrome won't even exist anymore...
From the article:

    > DSM-V, will come out in May and Asperger’s will be 
    > notably absent, replaced with the broader definition 
    > of “autism spectrum disorder.” Previously, Asperger’s
    > was thought to be a milder form of autism.
My interpretation is that it's still the generic spectrum disorder that we never really understood, but now the DSM reflects this reality better than it did previously.

Of course, I concede to the prevailing stance of people more experienced in and affected by this decision.

Re: I hired someone with Asperger's – now what?

#26

Post by tekalon »

catzhang wrote: post #8

Don't worry. Asperger's syndrome will be removed from DSM-5 next month. So next month, the person won't have the syndrome anymore...The syndrome won't even exist anymore... http://www2.macleans.ca/2012/12/04/aspergers-syndrome-to-be-...

It'll just be rolled into the general 'autism spectrum' definition.

Re: I hired someone with Asperger's – now what?

#27

Post by white_devil »

hh22 wrote: post #3

As someone who was diagnosed with Aspberger syndrome, reading that article made me want to throw up. There can be significant differences between a number of people with the same diagnosis, and generalizing them all under one mocking nickname of "aspie" is disrespectful. My diagnosis is not obvious to anyone talking to me unless I were to disclose it, and I have done very well in school leadership activities; I parti…

> As someone who was diagnosed with Aspberger syndrome, reading that article made me want to throw up.

As another 'Sperg, I can't help but think you're overreacting. Sure, the article was a tad patronizing at times, but the overall tone was positive. It's not a problem that it was a bit of a "puff piece", as you said, because it'll help people perceive us in a more positive light.

> My diagnosis is not obvious to anyone talking to me unless I were to disclose it

I grew up without a clue about Asperger's or having it. It just wasn't known back then, so I operated under the assumption of being just an ordinary (or "normal") person, and despite some quirks, even pulled off the role.

But immediately upon reading about Asperger's, my sister recognized the characteristics in me. The point is that someone who knows the "symptoms", may well recognize them in you. It may even be obvious.

> I don't want Aspberger's to define me

It doesn't, but it inevitably does to an extent. You probably display most of the characteristics, but at least some of them are under your control. For example, sometimes you'll want to "fit in", so you'll refrain from being as blunt as you'd like to.

Re: I hired someone with Asperger's – now what?

#28

Post by pekk »

bradleyjg wrote: post #23

In the US it's illegal for any employee to flat out refuse to hire people with Asperger's syndrome under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Just something to keep in mind before you answer the question in the title!

So therefore, "it wasn't a cultural fit" or "he didn't have enough experience" or "he wasn't an A player"...

Re: I hired someone with Asperger's – now what?

#29

Post by mike_ivanov »

JohnBooty wrote: post #22
p6v53as wrote: post #12

"I have Asperger's: I am just like you" Um, not to hate or anything, but there is a reason it is called autistic syndrome. Autistic people lack the ability to form a "theory of brain", which means they just do not understand other people's intentions that well. You can't ignore this fact and hope it will go away.

Aspergers is a relatively minor form of autism. (Not that the effects on one's life are always "minor", but it's minor compared to e.g. folks with severe autism that require assisted living) All cases are different, but those with Aspergers can learn to understand others with effort. It's not impossible for them, it just doesn't come very naturally and will perhaps require extra effort and dedication.

...or just stick to people who are willing to explain you what's going on around.

Re: I hired someone with Asperger's – now what?

#30

Post by pessimizer »

Asperger's doesn't particularly exist. IIRC it is being removed from the DSM-V; 99.5% of sufferers are self-diagnosed with information that they found on the internet, and sometimes have confirmed with helpful psychiatrists.

The criteria seems to be that one has a terrible personality, is simultaneously high-maintenance and inconsiderate of others, thinks very highly of one's self, but lacks any other connection with the autism spectrum.

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