Specialisterne: leveraging the unique skills of Autistics at competitive market terms

[Visionary7903]

Wokplaces where individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders can excel

“…I feel I am part of a global family when I meet families with a child or adult with autism. We share the same emotions, frustrations and hopes - regardless of the country, religion or culture we belong to. If we can bring the power of love for our vulnerable family members into a global context, we can give people with autism a better chance for a meaningful life. Alone we may not be able to do much but together, we can change the world…”

(source: gulfnews : Sonne shines with company for people with ASD)

…“I wanted to make sure my son had a future and it wasn’t sitting home playing video games in his bedroom all day by himself,” said nonPareil Institute President Gary Moore.

…“They’re so talented; they just need to be given a chance.” said Moore.

(source: nonPareil Institute: Video Gaming Academy for Autistic Adults in Plano - KDAF)

This will be an ongoing post organising a list of links to suitable workplaces for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders :

Specialisterne and its various offshoots around the world:
Specialisterne Denmark
Specialist People Foundation (SPF)
Thorkil Sonne’s Blog
Specialisterne Scotland
Specialisterne Iceland

The Autism/Software Testing model has been applied in a number of other countries:
AQA (based in Israel)
Asperger Informatik AG (based in Zurich, Switzerland)
Aspiritech (based in suburban Chicago, USA)
Auticon (based in Berlin, Germany)
Autism Works (based in Sunderland, England)
BOAS Specialister (based in Aarhus, Denmark)
Kaien (based in Tokyo, Japan)
Passwerk (based in Antwerp, Belgium)
Specialisterren (based in Utrecht, the Netherlands)
Stichting Autest (based in Geertruidenberg, the Netherlands)
Uzmanlar Danismanlik (based in Istanbul, Turkey)

Thorkil Sonne has said that it is not his intention to stereotype autistic people as data-entry drones. The IT connection is because that’s where his experience was in, but he’s already ramping up the operation to cater to individual preferences and talents.
Other examples of organisations/companies focusing on utilising the strengths of workers with Autistic traits, while not specifically targeting careers in Software Testing, are:

• the nonPareil Institute (based in Plano, Texas)
• Stockholm-based consultancy company Left is Right Sweden AB
• Hawkins Institute (based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada)

Vocational education
AspIT (a Denmark-based vocational IT education course for young people with Asperger Syndrome)
College Internship Program (CIP)
nonPareil Institute
Specialisterne’s own preparations for Information Systems Examination Board (ISEB) certifications for its consultants
Specialisterne’s special youth education programme (STU) traineeships
Stichting Specialisterren Academy - Specialisterren works in partnership with the Specialisterren Academy to train a group of about 8 candidate testers until they are International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) certified test operators for about 3-4 times a year

Books
Asperger’s on the Job: Must-have Advice for People with Asperger’s or High Functioning Autism, and their Employers, Educators, and Advocates by Rudy Simone
Asperger Syndrome Employment Workbook: An Employment Workbook for Adults with Asperger Syndrome by Roger N. Meyer
Developing Talents: Careers For Individuals With Asperger Syndrome And High-functioning Autism by Temple Grandin and Kate Duffy
Employment for Individuals with Asperger Syndrome or Non-Verbal Learning Disability: Stories and Strategies by Yvona Fast
How to Find Work that Works for People with Asperger Syndrome by Gail Hawkins
Social Thinking at Work by Michelle Garcia Winner and Pamela Crooke (http://socialthinking.com/books-products?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=311)

Workplace-related issues
Utilisation of splinter skills and special interests of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders