Focus on neuro-inclusivity in tech sector

IT consultancy auticon has released its annual Impact Report, which it says illustrates a model of social innovation that is changing lives and making organisations neuro-inclusive.

The mission-driven company’s aim is to create equal employment opportunities for autistic people. It counsels clients on the strengths of neurodiversity and specialises in placing people into software development, data sciences, quality assurance and cybersecurity roles.

auticon says it is estimated that less than 22% of autistic people are in any form of meaningful employment, with data revealing that more than half of unemployed autistic Australians (54%) had never held a paid job, despite often possessing the skills, qualifications and a strong desire to join the workforce.

Autistic people often have cognitive strengths that make them particularly well-suited for careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). However, they are faced with barriers such as a complex recruitment process, lack of support at work, poor autism awareness and employer prejudice.

A closer look at auticon’s IT consultants reveals compelling details about the challenges many on the autism spectrum face, despite being highly qualified to work:

• 32% of auticon’s consultants have a master’s degree or higher.
• 85% had been unemployed or underemployed at the time of applying to auticon.
• 81% agree that the work they do now at auticon matches their skills.
   

It is estimated that 20% of people identify as neurodivergent, meaning they have been diagnosed with a neurodivergent condition such as autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia or dyspraxia (British Medical Bulletin, 2020).

While diversity, equity and inclusion are high on the corporate agenda, neurodiversity is still poorly understood. auticon believes that affecting change in one life is the starting point for changing society. auticon, therefore, measures its social performance in terms of the individual impact it makes on its consultants’ lives, the organisational impact it has on its clients, and ultimately the impact of its work on society at large.

James, one of auticon’s IT consultants, says he is supported in his role.

“The accommodations for autism are fantastic, and the social support has been invaluable. My job coaches have been helping me out the whole way, which has been amazing,” he said.

“They really help you to not get overwhelmed with client requests and work with you around client engagement. Most jobs that I have had before, they give you a week or two training then throw you out on the floor and expect you to get on with it. This can be daunting and stressful — not necessarily from a performance perspective, but if you don’t understand some of the unwritten social cues with colleagues it can riddle your work with misunderstandings, leading to unintended consequences.”

For auticon’s technology clients, social innovation is very real:

• 68% say their perception of autism has changed.
• 85% say their teams feel more confident working with autistic people.
• 85% have a greater understanding of neurodiversity as a result of working with auticon.
   

“In the tightest employment market ever seen in Australia, we provide clients with an often-overlooked source of talent and prepare their organisations to become a destination for neurodiverse talent,” said Bodo Mann, Chief Executive Officer, auticon Australia.

As a part of its social innovation work, the Impact Report highlights progress in multiple areas of focus, including the auticon training academy, acting as a voice against sexual violence against autistic women, and a new podcast featuring authentic voices from the autism community. In Switzerland, auticon is developing a coaching model for autistic adults who live independently despite struggling with sensory issues.

Image credit: iStock.com/Iryna Spodarenko