A close-up view of a sketch by the British artist Stephen Wiltshire, who was diagnosed with autism at the age of three. Wiltshire has the ability to draw detailed cityscapes from memory after observing them briefly. Photo by: Lisa Maree Williams/ Getty Images
Employers are increasingly recognizing the potential of individuals with autism—AT&T, Microsoft and the Israeli Army, to name a few. Several companies recently announced the 5,000 Initiative: Autism in Tech Workforce, a national campaign with the aim of employing 5,000 people on the autism spectrum in technology positions by 2020.
Our research and clinical experience suggest that this may only be the start. Indeed, people with autism have unique qualities, including heightened visual perception skills and attention to detail, that can be of great value to employers, especially in fields where innovation is key.