'Agricultural specialisterne': rural employment revolution for those with Autism

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Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders often have irregular patterns of cognitive strengths and deficits, including splinter skills. ‘Splinter skills’ are related to the following terms:

• isolated discontinuous abilities;
• isolated areas of better functioning;
• islets of ability; and
• an uneven cognitive profile.

Below are some examples of splinter skills in Autism Spectrum Disorders, which can be seen as a milder version of savant skills (which are much rarer):

…Splinter Skills
Savant skills may be referred to as “splinter skills” and while few people are autistic savants, many exhibit splinter skills on some level. The skills are not necessarily extraordinary, but they certainly stand out in comparison to their levels of functioning. Examples of splinter skills include:

• Rote memorization

A person on the autism spectrum may have the ability to memorize things very easily, especially when it pertains to specific areas of interest…

• Music

An individual with autism may be particularly interested in music, showing great skill in playing instruments or singing. Sometimes he or she is able to play music by ear…

• Artistic skills

Drawing, painting and sculpting are among splinter skills that may be found in individuals with autism

• Math

Math skills can relate to rote memorization and this splinter skill may manifest in “lightning calculating” in which a person is able to solve mathematics problems as quickly as an electronic calculator calculates…

• Mechanical skills

A person on the spectrum may be fascinated with mechanics and can develop outstanding repair skills…

The challenge is to make use of these ‘splinter skills’ in an employment situation. Below is an example of one attempt at doing just that…

Functional utilization of splinter skills for the employment of a young adult with autism.
Shields-Wolfe, Jamie; Gallagher, Patricia A.
Focus on Autistic Behavior, Vol 7(4), Oct 1992, 1-16.
ABSTRACT
A 21-yr-old man with autism characterized by splinter skills in calendar calculations and music trivia memorization was trained to work as an order filler for a music distribution company. In Phase 1 of the study, assessment of S’s skills was conducted during 20 sessions over 8 wks. Evaluation instruments included the Autism Screening Instrument for Educational Planning First Edition, the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test–Revised (PPVT–R), and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale–Revised (WAIS–R). In Phase 2, the S was employed during 26 days over another 8 wks. An incrementally sequenced program was created to teach the S order-pulling tasks, social skills, and work behaviors. Performance evaluations by a supervisor and a job coach revealed the S to be an average worker on most levels and above-average on some others. Successful interaction with co-workers was achieved, and an overall decrease in inappropriate behaviors at home was noted.

Here is a recent study, from Germany, on the potential utilisation in employment of special interests in adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders…

Special Interests in Adults with Autism and Their Potential for Employment
[J. C. Kirchner, S. Dern, D. Miller-Remus and I. Dziobek]

Background:
Special Interests are a defining characteristic of many individuals on the autism spectrum (Winter-Messiers, 2007). Even though a core problem for many individuals with autism is unemployment (Baumgartner et al. 2009), there is little knowledge about the potential of those Special Interests for employment possibilities. In the last years there have been founded a growing number of IT-companies (e.g. Specialisterne, Passwerk) which are specialized in employing individuals on the autism spectrum and other initiatives trying to bring individuals with autism into permanent job positions (e.g. autworker, Arbeit nach MaB). However, to our knowledge there are no studies which systematically assessed types of Special Interests and abilities. Additionally there is more knowledge needed about the general set-up which individuals with autism need in their working space to work accordingly to their potential. The research presented here is part of a feasibility study for a new start-up company (Auticon) in Berlin, Germany, which seeks to specialize in employing individuals with autism.

Objectives:
The study is an exploratory approach to describe Special Interests and measure their potential for employment in individuals with autism. Furthermore interfering factors (such as noise) or facilitating factors (such as flexible hours) which may affect job performance in individuals with autism are assessed.

Methods:
With a newly compiled self-report questionnaire the study is currently conducted in Berlin, Germany. The questionnaire was developed in close consultation with a focus-group of autistic adults to ensure accessibility, respect, inclusion and relevance of items for autistic adults. Individuals with autism are contacted through internet panels and mailing lists to fill out the online questionnaire. Only subjects who report an official diagnosis of autism are included. The questionnaire comprises qualitative (e.g. description of Special Interests) and quantitative elements (e.g. ratings of skills).

Results:
Preliminary data (based on 24 individuals on the autism spectrum) show a wide range of Special Interests in individuals with autism with potential for application in work tasks (e.g. informatics, natural sciences). Subjects spend an average time of 18.5 hours (SD: 12.06) per week with that Special Interest and estimate their level of abilities in this tasks on a scale from basic knowledge (0) to superior knowledge (5) as good knowledge (M: 3.8, SD: 1.16). As interfering with their job performance ‘mobbing by colleagues’ (40,9 %) and ‘unpleasant sounds’ (36,4%) were the factors reported most often, while ‘the supervisor knowing about the employee being autistic’ was most often rated as a facilitating factor (68,2 %).

Conclusions:
Special Interests represent important abilities in individuals on the autism spectrum which may be important for employment strategies. Taken together with the consideration of interfering and facilitating factors for job performance our study can help to develop successful employment strategies for individuals with autism. More in-depth results about types of Special Interest, current job situation and job satisfaction will be reported at the conference.

(sources: Prodigious Savants | LoveToKnow; Standifer, S. (2009). Adult Autism & Employment: A Guide for Vocational Rehabilitation Professionals. Disability Policy and Studies, School of Health Professions, University of Missouri Health System. Retrieved from: http://www.dps.missouri.edu/Autism/Adult%20Autism%20&%20Employment.pdf; 2012 International Meeting for Autism Research: Special Interests in Adults with Autism and Their Potential for Employment)