There is a tremendous amount of untapped talent among those in the autism spectrum community who stand ready and able to contribute to the workforce. Thanks to an increasing number of companies who value a culture of diversity and inclusion and go the distance in implementing the proper accommodations, there is less untapped talent and more bright, motivated autistic folks at work than there would be otherwise. Dell Technologies is one such company.
It comes as no surprise that Dell has chosen to pursue a culture of neurodiversity. CEO Michael Dell has been quoted as saying diversity and inclusion helps drive innovation and growth, and is critical to the long-term success of our company. I'm proud of the legacy we are building as an employer of choice for all. New ideas from a diversity of perspectives result in a greater capacity for problem solving. New ways of thinking are incorporated into the technology offerings, fostering greater accessibility. And the autistic employees benefit as well. As such, Dell's Autism Hiring Program is a win-win-win proposition: for the company, for its people and for its customers.
When asked to speak about their employment experience at Dell, a few of the autistic members of Dells workforce have had wonderful things to say, as have their nonautistic colleagues. These folks admit to being eager to learn and to try new things. They value having an impact on those around them and being able to teach others. Dell affords them these opportunities, and taking advantage of them instills in them a sense of fulfillment, empowerment, belonging and connectivity with their colleagues. The business impact of these outcomes is the enhancement of team spirit, cohesion and focus.
There are abilities which are prevalent among many on the autism spectrum, including me, which lend themselves well to careers in technology. Attention to detail, commitment to quality and consistency and capacities for analytical and "outside the box" thinking are common. I would not be half the information technology consultant I am today if it werent for these skills and work habits. With respect to commitment and consistency, there is a correlation between these and longevity at a company. Dell reports a significantly lower turnover rate among its autistic employees. I am in my 25th year of employment at my company, largely because I see value and take pride in loyalty, and because I prefer the predictability and structure associated with going to the same workplace, working with familiar people and attending to the same kinds of tasks day after day. The evolution of the technology with which my colleagues and I work has kept the job interesting and stimulating over the long term.
When Dell launched their Autism Hiring Program in 2018, they recognized the need to re-think the hiring process and how to best attract talent. They chose to partner with an organization connected to the Autism Resource Center (ARC) of Philadelphia, known as Neurodiversity in the Workplace (NITW) in order to achieve these goals. The Neurodiversity in the Workplace Initiative connects autistic folks to jobs that fit their skill sets. NITW partners with Human Resources departments in helping to identify the right candidate(s) for the companys open position(s). They support managers and other nonautistic co-workers as to how to best interact and work with new autistic hires.
Candidates are thoroughly prepared for long-term careers. They are trained to advocate for themselves which promotes independence. They learn how to manage differences between how they and their coworkers process sensory input. Emotional regulation and expression, understanding the unwritten rules of the workplace, teamwork with managers and colleagues, and navigating e-communications are also addressed. NITW helps implement an onboarding process after the hire is made, providing onsite training as necessary to ensure success. Finally, the organizations work in supporting a neurodiverse workforce is promoted to the community.
Dell's Autism Hiring Program was first put to the test at one of their Massachusetts-based locations and was later implemented at the companys headquarters in Texas as a result of its initial success. The program allows candidates to demonstrate their skills outside the traditional job interview which is often problematic for folks on the spectrum. Interview proficiency requires both strong verbal and nonverbal communication skills. The latter is a particularly common challenge for autistic people, and I am no exception.
Throughout my youthful years and into adulthood, I didnt even understand what nonverbal communication entails, much less be competent at it. I could only comprehend spoken words and only the most obvious gestures, like how somebodys face looks when she is angry or overly excited. Relatively subtle and nuanced forms of nonverbal communication almost always eluded me, and so I would be unable to respond accordingly. As such, I did not fare well when it came to dating and romance. I cant even recall having kissed a woman with my eyes closed during my bachelor days, not once. If I did, it was purely by coincidence, and without any awareness of what I was actually doing. Considering that a date and an interview have much in common, certainly with respect to body language, it becomes evident that a traditional job interview will often fall short of doing an autistic candidate justice, leading to unfavorable and misleading yet all too important first impressions. Kudos to Dell Technologies for recognizing this reality and for offering a more equitable path to employment.
Candidates entering the Autism Hiring Program are initially screened for their interest in the open employment opportunities and for the pertinent skills, experience and qualifications. If they qualify, they are invited to a two-week skills assessment/mentorship session. Those who succeed move on to a 12-week Summer internship from which several have been hired as full-time Dell employees. Cyber-Security, Artificial Intelligence and Software Engineering are among the technology areas that are taught during the internship. Ample opportunity exists within this kind of framework for candidates to showcase their talents, prove what they are capable of, build self-esteem and grow along the way. No high stakes all or nothing job interview which, if it happened, could very well deny the organization of a worthy asset.
Now is as good a time as any for more companies to follow Dell Technologies example and that of other companies who implement accommodations for neurodiversity in the workplace. Folks on the autism spectrum and others who are neurologically different (including people diagnosed with ADHD) are all too often overlooked because they are typically not thought about by those who make recruiting and hiring decisions. And yet, neurodivergent people who are able and ready to get to work represent phenomenal levels of untapped talent and potential eagerly waiting to be put to use. Consequently, the unemployment rate is regrettably and disproportionately too high among neurodiverse individuals. Now is the time to re-imagine who can be successful members of the workforce and how to best bring them in.
SamFarmerwears many hats, among these father, husband, musician, computer consultant, and autism spectrum community contributor. Diagnosed later in life with Aspergers Syndrome, he writes blogs and articles, records coaching videos, and presents at conferences, sharing stories, ideas, and insights as to how one can achieve greater happiness and success in life despite facing challenges and adversity that often interfere in these pursuits. To learn more, visitsamfarmerauthor.com.
A Long Walk Down a Winding Road: Small Steps, Challenges, & Triumphs Through an Autistic Lensis available on Amazon and can be purchased at all major booksellers.
Read the original here:
Celebrating neurodiversity in the workplace: The Dell example | TheHill - The Hill
- Offer Ends Soon Ready Version - The Human Longevity Project [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 11th, 2019]
- Human Longevity - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 11th, 2019]
- Longevity - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 11th, 2019]
- Careers Human Longevity, Inc. [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 29th, 2019]
- Is longevity determined by genetics? - Genetics Home ... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2019]
- Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS ... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2019]
- Longevity claims - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2019]
- To Love and Mourn an Animal - Sentient Media [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2019]
- Opinion: Entrepreneurs and Their Startup Businesses Need San Diegos Support - Times of San Diego [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2019]
- Overthinking Can Shorten Your Life, Says New Study - International Business Times [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2019]
- Media Advisory: Artificial Intelligence in Health Care, Healthy Longevity, and Human Genome Editing Among Topics at Meeting of Nation's Top Health... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2019]
- Global Longevity & Anti-Senescence Therapy Market Review 2017-2018 and Forecast to 2023 - ResearchAndMarkets.com - Business Wire [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2019]
- LyGenesis Closes $4 Million Convertible Debt Financing to Begin Clinical Development of its Liver Regeneration Technology - PRNewswire [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2019]
- MicroRNA Expression Tied to Triple-Negative Breast Cancer in Latin America - Cancer Network [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 24th, 2019]
- Thinking deep thoughts has impact on life span - Mother Nature Network [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 24th, 2019]
- Vulnerability of the industrialized microbiota - Science Magazine [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 24th, 2019]
- What bamboo forests do for nature and human well-being - Forests News, Center for International Forestry Research [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2019]
- Quorn's secret to longevity in the meat alternative sector - Food Dive [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2019]
- The benefits of intermittent fasting - Starjournalnow [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2019]
- New "Monsterpocalypse" releases: Ulgoth, Apes, and Robots, Oh My! - Bleeding Cool News [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2019]
- The Global Human Microbiome Market Size was Worth $ 461 Million in 2018 and is Forecasted to Reach $ 1,380 Million by 2026, at a CAGR of 17.8% During... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2019]
- Term limits would make Congress members put the country first | Letters - NJ.com [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 10th, 2019]
- This Scientist Believes Aging Is Optional - Outside Magazine [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 10th, 2019]
- Longevity And Anti-Senescence Therapy Market to Witness Stellar Growth Rate in the Next 10 Years during 2023 - Crypto News Byte [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 17th, 2019]
- May's turn to meet Trudeau and 'anti-Alberta' activities; In-The-News Nov. 15 - larongeNOW [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 17th, 2019]
- The Future of Meat - Truthdig [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 24th, 2019]
- Surprising No One, The FBI's Watchdog Says The Agency Is Handling Its Informants Improperly - Techdirt [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 24th, 2019]
- Have Researchers Finally Figured Out Whether Dogs Are Good For Us? - Forbes [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 24th, 2019]
- Can the gut microbiome unlock the secrets of aging? - Medical News Today [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 24th, 2019]
- The disruptive power of disruption - Daily Pioneer [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 24th, 2019]
- Missing Link To Longevity Discovered In The Plant Kingdom - Texas A&M University [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 24th, 2019]
- 30-year-old Harvard study on longevity: Five daily habits to follow for a healthy living - Republic World - Republic World [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2019]
- Extreme C book extract: Exploring structures and user-defined types in C - Developer Tech [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2019]
- Leverates Success Task Force Scheduled to Launch Before the End of 2019 - Finance Magnates [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2019]
- Partnership aims to accelerate cell and gene therapy - Harvard Gazette [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2019]
- The Cost Of Underestimating The Rise Of Women: No Babies - Forbes [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2019]
- What Will We Do When the Sun Gets Too Hot for Earth's Survival? - Scientific American [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2019]
- Beyond Hello Kitty: The beauty of 'Animals in Japanese Art' - Los Angeles Times [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2019]
- Startup of the Week: A Subscription for Anti-Aging Pills... for Mice - Free [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2019]
- Mungo national park: where alien landscapes reveal ancient culture - The Guardian [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2019]
- The New Face of Longevity: Dwayne Clark's Solution to America's Silver Tsunami Crisis and How Living on Stolen Potatoes Made It All Possible -... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2019]
- Liberty Science Centers Inaugural Genius of New Jersey to Honor Innovators Who Make the State a World Leader in Cutting-Edge Applied Science - Yahoo... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2019]
- Zelda Was One of the Greatest Modern Writers of Religious Experience in Any Language - Mosaic [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 26th, 2019]
- Precision Medicine Software Market : The Report Analysis And Overview of Global Market In Term Of Size, Share, Growth And Development 2019-2024 :... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 26th, 2019]
- Making The Jetsons Jealous: Peter Diamandis Says The Future Is Better, And Coming Faster Than You Ever Dreamt - Thrive Global [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 26th, 2019]
- The biological defects that come with age and how to prevent them - Ladders [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 26th, 2019]
- Global Stem Cells Market Growth Driver 2016 2024: By Companies Osiris Therapeutics Inc., STEMCELL Technologies Inc., BIOTIMEInc., Celgene Corporation... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 26th, 2019]
- Startup of the Week: A Subscription for Anti-Aging Pills... for Mice - VICE [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 26th, 2019]
- Phishing Trends Position ISPs to Protect Subscribers - Security Boulevard [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 26th, 2019]
- Longevity And Anti-Senescence Therapy Market: Market Development, Overview and Forecast up to 2023 - Statsflash [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 26th, 2019]
- The pain of a failed investment can be the best teacher of all - Financial Post [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 27th, 2019]
- Were all going to die: Alarmists in our midst - Daily Maverick [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 27th, 2019]
- 12 Powerful Ayurvedic Herbs and Spices with Health Benefits - Healthline [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 27th, 2019]
- Employee Engagement: Everything You Need to Know - HR Exchange Network [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 27th, 2019]
- Wherever The Human Heart Beats @ Alma Tavern - Epigram [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 27th, 2019]
- Fermenting the future of healthy aging - SynBioBeta [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 27th, 2019]
- Liberty Science Center's Inaugural Genius of New Jersey to Honor Innovators Who Make the State a World Leader in Cutting-Edge Applied Science -... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 27th, 2019]
- Rich People Have Access to Better Microbes Than Poor People, Researchers Say - VICE UK [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 27th, 2019]
- Frankenstein vs. The Wolfman: Who Would Win (And Why) - Screen Rant [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 28th, 2019]
- How do consumer DNA tests from the US and China stack up? - Abacus [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 28th, 2019]
- Scott LaFee: Don't Think Too Hard About This - Noozhawk [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 28th, 2019]
- Lewis Hamilton is not only a peerless champion, he is the face of F1 - The Guardian [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 30th, 2019]
- Recent deaths at Dallas Zoo have seemed notable but aren't out of the ordinary - The Dallas Morning News [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 30th, 2019]
- Ruth Wishart on Kenneth Roy's diary of living and dying - HeraldScotland [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 30th, 2019]
- This Marketing Agency Wants To Put The Pleasure Back Into The Sex Tech Business - Forbes [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 30th, 2019]
- The 1975 Played a Greta Thunberg Speech During Their Grand Prairie Concert - Dallas Observer [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 30th, 2019]
- Global Warming Is Escalating The El Nio Weather - Science Times [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 30th, 2019]
- Turkey is a leading NATO member. Its time this commitment was recognised, not criticised View - Euronews [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 30th, 2019]
- National Spotlight on Ikarian Honey on CBS Sunday Morning News - The Pappas Post [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 30th, 2019]
- Rich People Have Access to Better Microbes Than Poor People, Researchers Say - VICE [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 30th, 2019]
- Commentary: We need a major redesign of life - Bend Bulletin [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 30th, 2019]
- How Bitcoin points to the future of decentralized protest - Decrypt [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 2nd, 2019]
- Pollution woes add to our ongoing survival struggle - Tehelka [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 2nd, 2019]
- Three reasons women live longer than men - Firstpost [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 2nd, 2019]
- Gail Fisher's 'Dog Tracks': Spoiling you dog with extra food could cut short its life - The Union Leader [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 2nd, 2019]
- The L Word: Nobody Rocks a Power Suit and Cufflinks Like Jennifer Beals - IndieWire [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 5th, 2019]
- Cycling Without Age Gives Seniors Access to Biking in Cities Around the Globe - Next City [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 5th, 2019]
- Longevity And Anti-Senescence Therapy Market 2018 Overview, Consumption, Supply, Demand & Insights - Downey Magazine [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 5th, 2019]
- OU voice students learn about the importance of vocal health - 2019 - School of Music, Theatre and Dance - News - OU Magazine - News at OU [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 5th, 2019]
- Purdue taking part in life-long study of dogs health and aging - WTHR [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 5th, 2019]