Specialisterne (Danish for ‘Specialists’) seeks to harness strengths that many people with Autism Spectrum Disorders possess - good attention to fine details, precision, and high tolerance for repetitive tasks. Their consultants bring the joy of work into areas where it is often missing.
The social enterprise creates ‘virtual Specialisterne environments’ in the offices of its clients.
(source: Better, faster… and no office politics: the company with the autistic specialists - Features, Health & Families - The Independent)
The above is an example of ‘niche construction’ - this is the term Dr. Thomas Armstrong uses for modifying an environment (creating a ‘niche’) to suit an individual’s unique needs. Armstrong makes the point that niche construction is what animals have done for eons - for example the bird building a nest, the beaver building a dam.
And the environmental modifications do not have to relate to work necessarily. For example, the sleep environment could be modified for an Autistic person - which might well produce better and/or more consistent performance in the workplace.
Children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders often have impaired immune function and may be predisposed to allergy symptoms. This may also result in impaired sleep.
In terms of say a dust mite allergy, substantial avoidance of exposure from beddings can only be achieved by combining the following four barriers:
- impermeable beddings covers (like an anti-allergen mattress protector);
- regularly vacuuming of covers;
- frequent hot washing of sheets; and
- removal or intensive special cleaning of all other textiles in the bedroom.
In addition, the novel Purezone HEPA Sleep System has been developed which works in the following way - filtered air passes through a mite impermeable pillow case, resulting in a purified breathing zone. Here is a short video showing how the Purezone works: NEW PureZone HEPA Sleep System - YouTube
In a small sample trial of the Purezone Sleep System, there was a reduction in nasal and ocular symptoms and improvement of quality of life in patients with perennial allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.
Airsonett’s Protexo is another device designed to control airborne allergen exposure in the breathing zone during sleep: Airsonett.se
(sources: A Key Concept for Neurodiversity: Niche Construction | Dr. Armstrong’s Blog; Dr. Ingels chapter from “Cutting Edge Therapies for Autism 2011-2012″ | Darin J. Ingels, ND; http://www.astmafonds.nl/sites/default/files/research-images/verslagEAACI2010.pdf; PureZone Personal Air Filtration System)