During my post doc years there was one PhD that had high functioning autism. Actually I though he was great, because he realized what he had, and sometimes asked me, if I reacted in a certain way, if he missed something, because he sometimes did. Luckily for him he was quite sociable, but was always a “bit off”. He told everybody that he had asperges, and because we knew, it was no problem whatsoever if he sometimes reacted differently than expected.
Maybe it’s the line of work I’m in, but I have met more slightly autistic people in my live ( chemist and engineers), and actually appriciate their pint of view on the world.
We just had a hiring round for an analyst. We had one candidate, that was slightly off in his emotional behavior, and asked him about it. He said he was on the autism spectrum and found interviews hard to deal with. We called the school who highly recommended him, as he was very skilled and also in the correct invironment would be completely at ease and driven. We hired him over another candidate who made a wonderfull impression, outgoing and sociable, but with much less skills. We realized that we could offer the environment for the first candidate that would make him bloom, though the second would also have fitted.
We are incredibly happy with him, and indeed he is at ease with us, and is driven.
I hope your children will find their place in live.
Thanks so much for your comment. I'll be upvoting on Monday when I'm full steem.
In regards to HFA, you're absolutely correct. For the most part, HFA persons are integrated completely. My kids are both HFASD as I, and I like @aspiejoe found out upon diagnosis of my child. Myself, I have a problem with the identity factor. I grew up never knowing, and I often struggle with us/we/them- because I don't identify as Autistic despite diagnosis, and probably never will completely.
My son wants to be an Astrophysicist and I don't doubt he will be. It's an obsession. He's ambitious. And he's going to be a great contribution to the world one day. My daughter wants to Ice Skate. The wonderful thing about Autism is when an activity is preferred- despite being different to the rest of society- they sure as heck focus on that activity! The hope for Autistic persons is just finding that THING that makes you tick.
I'm really happy to hear that you hired someone on the spectrum. I'm sure he will be a valuable asset to your team one day.
Not one day, he already is.
I’m sure your kids will find their place, especially because they have you to guide them.
That's wonderful @herziba. Thank you for sharing <3