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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?

#91

Post by DanBC »

The UK has concepts of "Reasonable adjustments". Some things are intrinsic parts of a job. A taxi driver must be able to drive. An accountant does not need to be able to drive. Thus, you can justifiably not employ someone for a taxi driver if their disability prevents them from driving, but you could not justifiably not employ an accountant if their disability meant they could not drive.

> As a manager, you should understand how to handle the unique opportunities and challenges that come with hiring an Aspie.

Wait, what? This is weird. Now tell us what it's like employing Jews.

I generally agree with the intent of the article but it comes over a bit "Oh the proud and noble Aspie".

> They will never accept "no" for an answer without being told the reason for it.

That's probably true, but some people with Asperger's will have given up on asking why, knowing that sometimes people use stupid incomprehensible bizarre sub-optimal reasons. When someone tells me no I tend to just accept it, because I know that asking why leads to a rabbit-hole of bitter argument and disappointment.

I sound overly critical of the article. I don't mean to. Oh well.

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

#92

Post by DanBC »

The UK has concepts of "Reasonable adjustments". Some things are intrinsic parts of a job. A taxi driver must be able to drive. An accountant does not need to be able to drive. Thus, you can justifiably not employ someone for a taxi driver if their disability prevents them from driving, but you could not justifiably not employ an accountant if their disability meant they could not drive.

> As a manager, you should understand how to handle the unique opportunities and challenges that come with hiring an Aspie.

Wait, what? This is weird. Now tell us what it's like employing Jews.

I generally agree with the intent of the article but it comes over a bit "Oh the proud and noble Aspie".

> They will never accept "no" for an answer without being told the reason for it.

That's probably true, but some people with Asperger's will have given up on asking why, knowing that sometimes people use stupid incomprehensible bizarre sub-optimal reasons. When someone tells me no I tend to just accept it, because I know that asking why leads to a rabbit-hole of bitter argument and disappointment.

I sound overly critical of the article. I don't mean to. Oh well.

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

#93

Post by davidp »

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.…

Amplifying your different-not-worse theme:

I sometimes wonder whether the human species would be better off if everyone had a strong case of what we call Asperger's.

So many tribal/cultural conflicts arise because of people's ability to connect strongly... Consider religious zealoutry and jihad, and other culturally-derived sources of conflict.

Our ability and willingness to be led (at a scope unique in the animal kingdom) has been a great organizing force in human history; but it has also been very destructive. The jury's still out as to whether it's a net positive.

If we all had strong Asperger's, would logic and reason rule the day more often than it does? Would that in turn be net positive?

Food for thought: Would we then need to treat non-Asperger's people as having a disorder of their own? The question sharply illuminates the true purpose of medically treating someone with Asperger's and other autism-spectrum "disorders": To help them fit in better with the majority and hopefully be happier. Not to "fix" them.

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

#94

Post by bobisme »

nsxwolf wrote: post #57
MoOmer wrote: post #51

If I was a person with Aspergers, I would be extremely annoyed that the term 'Aspie' is used here. Why not, 'for these people,' type of wording? Coining or perpetuating a term like that only serves to isolate anyone that might otherwise have been just a person with Aspergers.

I thought it was a term of endearment and wasn't considered offensive by Aspergers folks... er.. "those with Aspergers"... seeing why the diminutive label is useful here. What do you call such a person? You don't call them an "Aspergers". "Aspie" seems to work.

I believe with most psychological or mental conditions, the phrase "a person with ..." is used, putting the person before the condition. Just like you don't call a person with mental retardation a "retard."

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

#95

Post by solistice »

DanBC wrote: post #91

The UK has concepts of "Reasonable adjustments". Some things are intrinsic parts of a job. A taxi driver must be able to drive. An accountant does not need to be able to drive. Thus, you can justifiably not employ someone for a taxi driver if their disability prevents them from driving, but you could not justifiably not employ an accountant if their disability meant they could not drive. > As a manager, you should un…

Honestly, halfway through the article the question popped up on whether I was reading an Article on understanding "Aspies" or whether I was reading an Article on "Aspie"keeping. "Dog's become agressive when stared into the eyes by humans as for Dog's, this signals a fight" vs. "Many people with Asperger's are challenged by large crowds, looking people in the eye and reading common social cues". I don't mean to bash the article, but if anybody shares that feeling about the language used in it...

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

#96

Post by solistice »

fyi80 wrote: post #82
guard-of-terra wrote: post #38

How do you know you haven't already? It's not that they walk with "ASPERGER" painted on their backs.

That's a great diagnostic. Paint ASPERGER on everyone's back. The ones who don't care to remove the mark are likely to have Asperger's (or be John Asperger).

Unless they realize they should fix those paint blots on their jacket that say something unimportant.

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

#97

Post by websitescenes »

cbhl wrote: post #62
websitescenes wrote: post #55

Do I have Aspergers if I fit the description of one almost exactly? The author seemed to be describing me.. I am pretty socially capable and I can look people in the eye, so I don't know.

Strictly speaking, when the DSM-V comes out, no one will have Asperger's _per se_ since they've removed it (under the assumption that people will either be classified under the revised definition of Autism, or not at all). Under the DSM-IV, one of the criteria reads: "(III) The disturbance causes clinically significant impairments in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning." -- generally, it's u…

Thanks for the perspective.

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

#98

Post by xibernetik »

davidp wrote: post #93
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.…

Amplifying your different-not-worse theme: I sometimes wonder whether the human species would be better off if everyone had a strong case of what we call Asperger's. So many tribal/cultural conflicts arise because of people's ability to connect strongly... Consider religious zealoutry and jihad, and other culturally-derived sources of conflict. Our ability and willingness to be led (at a scope unique in the animal ki…

Asperger's manifests very differently depending on the individual, and does not necessarily block the ability to connect strongly. On average, it may be more difficult for an individual with Asperger's to connect strongly because they are not in tune with the majority of the population, but that's more a function of having trouble finding like-minded individuals than of not being able to connect.

The idea that Aspie individuals are paragons of logic and reason is misguided. The article even mentions individuals with Asperger's having stronger feelings, and there are theories that Asperger's individuals are actually more sensitive in general to everything, resulting in overstimulation both physically and emotionally very quickly. A world of Asperger's individuals does not mean a world of perfectly rational individuals.

I absolutely agree that Asperger's does not make an individual broken or inherently "worse" that others, and that the idea of "fixing" an Aspie through medical intervention is antiquated and harmful at worst, but I don't believe that an world full of Asperger's individuals would be logical, reasonable, or in any way inherent "better" than our current world. It would make the world different - not worse, not better - the same as how it makes the mind of an affected individual.

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

#99

Post by Freaky »

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.…

> Peak their interests

Pique, "to excite or arouse" :)

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