New Job Initiative from Autism Speaks

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I was recently informed about the fact that Autism Speaks has created a new employment initiative.

What are your thoughts. Good sign they're doing this?

Here's the link: http://www.thespectrumcareers.com

I believe any initiative which aids people on the Spectrum in obtaining employment is an excellent thing.

Here's a video

Their success will depend on whether real companies post real work positions, and whether they hire and successfully retain autistic people in their employment. I don't think it's possible to judge it until I see some initial numbers. For example they started a Native Canadians job bureau here but it hasn't significantly altered the employment opportunities of Native Canadians, despite its good intentions.

There are now a lot of companies looking to hire individuals on the spectrum so I don't think it'd be too hard to get autistics jobs.

As I mentioned in another thread this initiative and the resignation of Bob Wright as CEO MIGHT be an indication they are being persuaded/forced to change some of their negative ways.

As I said on that thread and as others have said. Don't Trust and Verify.

This is a good initiative. I will say S$ does a few good things, but not enough to get me to start patronizing their sponsors.

Sounds like a promising idea to me. I look forward to seeing how it works out.

0 results within 100 miles of my ZIP code, a radius which includes Boston, Massachusetts.

I don't really see an innovation to make it easier for us to sell our lives an hour at a time as progress.

seems like they playing to the stereotype of aspies being some gifted worker so you work around their lack of social skills to use their talent. but I doubt most aspies have such a talent. but doesn't stop people from thinking we'll all IT people or artists or musicians. while most autistics probably never go to college. people always seem to be amazed I managed to.

Take a look at California-the most populous state: 2 positions available, both Autism Speaks Exec Directors (1 in LA, 1 in NorCal). Fat chance they'll actually hire an autistic person for that.

There are currently very few jobs listed. In the 10 most populous states, there are a total of 13 jobs listed. Six are with autism speaks, one is with Autism Science Foundation, and three are for behavioral analysts. That leaves a total of three in the 10 most populous states that are potentially not with autism organizations.

I'm not trying to be negative about this. Maybe that's because it's in its infancy. I'd say fair enough, but if that's the case, they're should be no spiking the ball at the opposing team's 20 yard line or patting themselves on the back as if they actually accomplished something.

Update: I've looked through all states and DC. There's a total of 12 jobs with Autism Speaks, 1 with Autism Science Foundation, 3 Board Certified Behavioral Analyst jobs (provide ABA thrapy), and 10 other jobs.

So it would seem that Autism Speaks may only be looking to score points for good intentions, and not for actually providing an employment service for people with autism.

Then again, this 'service' is still in its infancy. Only time will tell if it actually provides gainful employment for people with autism, or if it only serves to advertise jobs at Autism Speaks for neurotypicals.

In addition, do the people who post the jobs expect the applicants to emulate an NT?

While I understand being skeptical of anything associated with Autism Speaks, obviously it'ls not going to have many jobs yet if they just started the darn thing. (But they should have this kind of press release at the start of it--companies aren'lt going to add jobs if they keep it a secret!)