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

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Specialisterne (‘the Specialists’ in Danish) 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 today. Similarly Strokes of Genius seeks to harness the artistic abilities of those with Autism.
(sources: Human Resource Executive Online - Story; Strokes of Geniusea)

One of Strokes of Genius’ contributing artists is Malaysian-born 18-year-old, Ping Lian Yeak. Ping Lian’s work “Ubudiah Mosque I” sold for RM100,000 ($30,000) when he was just 11 years old. Ping Lian’s mother (and late father) worked hard to develop his ability:

…“He couldn’t hold a pencil properly or use a pair of scissors in kindergarten. So, we trained him to write. We held his hand and helped him to trace a lot.” Soon, Ping Lian learned how to trace and write on his own. One day, at the age of eight, instead of tracing, Ping Lian began to draw non-stop.
…[Sarah, Ping Lian’s mother] began to work on developing his skills and talent. She would tell him every day that he was going to be an artist and associated it with something strong and great. She also hired three art teachers for him, so he could learn each of the teacher’s style and eventually develop his own.
…Ping Lian continues to create magnificent works of art using charcoal, acrylic, watercolour, ink and oil pastels while Sarah remains totally devoted to him.
“I arrange art exhibitions for Ping Lian and on weekends, I will take him to the art market… to teach him about life. There, he can see what the real world is like and learn how to set up a store, basically to be independent. I have also finished writing a book about Ping Lian which will soon be published.
“I always believe that mothers of autistic children should never give up hope. We just need to do our best, no need to be the best. And we must always be contented with whatever we have but not be complacent,” Sarah says.

In 2006, Ping Lian’s mother, Sarah SH Lee, uprooted the entire family and moved to Sydney, Australia. Ping Lian is now attending The Vern Barnett School, which is a school for children with Autism…

…Although much of Ping Lian’s success as an artist can be attributed to the untiring work of his mother, Sarah was quick to add: “What Ping Lian has achieved thus far would not have been possible without the support, advice and encouragement of many special individuals and organisations. They have contributed to change Ping Lian’s life and also have indirectly set a course for changes in our family life.”…

(sources: http://pinglian.com/images/KL_Lifestyle%20magazine_Jan2011.pdf; Through the Eyes of Love | asia! through Asian Eyes)