Some of the world’s brightest and most creative people are on the autism spectrum: Director Steven Spielberg has Asperger’s syndrome, and there’s speculation that Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Microsoft founder Bill Gates do, too. In fact, a Wired article postulates that Silicon Valley has a high proportion of kids with autism because many of their parents are undiagnosed “aspies” themselves.
- Give employees private work spaces. People with autism often have sensory issues and may have difficulty focusing in environments with bright lights, frequent talking, music, and other distractions. These employees are likely to do their best work in a private office or a remote workspace, where they can concentrate.
- Use technology to ease communication. Many high-functioning people on the autism spectrum prefer to communicate through email instead of face-to-face, because they may have sensory problems interpreting information and may not understand verbal cues or jokes. For people with severe autism, technology may be the only way to communicate: Some non-verbal people on the spectrum are greatly assisted by mobile apps that can “speak” on their behalf. The Americans with Disabilities Act’s Job Accommodation Network also suggests tips such as providing employees with electronic organizers and training them how to use them, since effective time management can also be an issue for people with autism or Asperger’s syndrome.
- Be direct in your instructions. Many people with autism miss subtleties in communication and prefer to receive clear instructions regarding what they are expected to do. For complex instructions, a written step-by-step system can be most helpful. Johns Hopkins University shares some strategies for instructing students with Asperger’s syndrome, many of which may transfer to the workplace.
- Don’t assume an autistic employee is trying to be rude. People on the autism spectrum often have trouble realizing whether their behavior is or isn’t appropriate. Penelope Trunk, a popular blogger and the founder of the Gen Y career startup Brazen Careerist, has Asperger’s syndrome, and she often writes about her tendency to miss social cues or say inappropriate things. (For instance, at a PTA meeting, she unintentionally picked a fight with her son’s teacher and interrupted her frequently because she didn’t recognize social cues.) If an employee with autism says or does something that you find offensive, hold a private meeting to discuss the incident. Often, the employee will be unaware that there is an issue until you bring it up — and will take your lesson to heart to prevent it from happening again.
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