TALLAHASSEE, FL – Thorkil and Annette
Sonne are parents of a three-year-old with autism. When they first heard from
the doctor their son had autism they started reading to become familiar with
the disability. Through literature they became depressed and felt their son
Lars would never have a normal life.
Thorkil Sonne
plays chess with his son Lars, NY Times
But at the age
of seven Lars showed the unique ability to memorize intricate details. When the
family went on car trip from Scotland to Germany Lars was looking at a road
atlas. At home sitting for hours drawing
on a sheet of paper he was able to draw the road atlas from memory. The table
of contents and page numbers were exactly the same.
Sonne son’s
special skills gave him hope that adults with autism could find a job. A recent
study said Americans diagnosed with autism would not find a job two years after
they graduated from high school. Sonne believed adults with autism had a
special skill that was needed in the workplace so he quit his job.
He took a
two-day accounting course and developed a business plan. This lead to founding
the company Specialisterne that, employs 35 autistic employees to be hired by
companies.
In 2007 a study
by Canadian scientist showed autistic people have high intelligence in certain
areas, which explains their attention to detail. Sonne noticed companies who
needed employees for data entry and software testing would benefit from hiring
high-functioning autistic workers.
Christian
Anderson who works for the pharmauecutical company, Lundberg said having a job
helped him move out of his parents house and it gave him freedom.
Anderson said, “I
have become more confident and self-assured” and “I have grown so much as a
person.”
Jonni Jensen worked for TDC, Denmark's largest telecommunication company said consultants are far more accurate than neurotypical workers and are less likely to cut corners.
Jonni Jensen worked for TDC, Denmark's largest telecommunication company said consultants are far more accurate than neurotypical workers and are less likely to cut corners.
The
company Specialisterne will expand if Sonne moves his family to the United
States where 50,000 autistic kids turn 18 every year. Specialisterne debunks
the stereotypes of adults with autisim and shows employers they’re valuable in
the workplace.
Anderson’s boss Jane Kampmann noticed Anderson
could work without diverting his attention when looking at data entry. Kampmann
said Anderson would ask “Why do we have 57 instead of 30 milligrams?”
Allison
Leatzow, Adult Autism Consultant at Florida State University Card (Center for
Autism and Related Disabilities) was contacted but available
By Precious Dorch-Robinson
With contributions from The New York Times
With contributions from The New York Times
Photo, NY Times
Video, GangStalking2
