IBM and Neurodiversity: Update from Lansing

[Andrew Williams]

That's why thousands of people like myself advocate for change online in blogs, videos, podcasts and direct activism. It only takes a pebble to start an avalanche.
Thank you for getting this started with IBM and I can only hope for it's impact to grow and spread.

May I ask - are you on the spectrum yourself Andrew, or did you have another motivation for starting this?

Thanks for the feedback. And no... I am only Neurotypical . But I met Thorkill Sonne from Specialisterne a few years back and he inspired to get this program going... and well... it steamrolled from there. It took time... and people getting behind it... but we were able to achieve change by leveraging capabilities from within an organization like IBM. A big difference from pushing from the outside.

 

[Autistamatic]

Hey if you need support... let me know.... happy to have your back. And yes... "overtones" ... it could not be helped I suppose given this was from IBM but knowing these people... the outcome is very genuine and very much based on people reaching out to each other. Which is not a bad thing overall...

Thank you. I'll let you know how they respond.

 

[Andrew Williams]

I watched the 'When Neurodiversity Works' short and long videos. If you are going to watch the long, you can skip the short because it is part of the long.

Not a bad thing, but as Judge has pointed out it is for a limited portion of the spectrum. Maybe very limited. My suspicious/skeptical side however wonders if IBM is just trying to tap into a potentially lucrative resource, mining for the legendary autistic savants.

But I do like the idea of programs such as these that are designed with autistics in mind. The unemployment situation for people on the spectrum is miserable. It just needs to be much broader in scope and including very simple jobs.

Hey Tom... thanks for the feedback. I know this program is a case of people in IBM genuinely connecting with people within the local Austim community in Michigan and looking at how we can improve their employment opportunities. But we did want the program to succeed - so when we received 85 resumes - we did tend to gravitate towards CVs which would lead to positive outcomes for all concerned. These are first steps after all.

 

[Andrew Williams]

To be frank.. once it was explained to me... it just made sense to do it - for all concerned.

 

[Tom]

Hey Tom... thanks for the feedback. I know this program is a case of people in IBM genuinely connecting with people within the local Austim community in Michigan and looking at how we can improve their employment opportunities. But we did want the program to succeed - so when we received 85 resumes - we did tend to gravitate towards CVs which would lead to positive outcomes for all concerned. These are first steps after all.

I noticed the candidates in the video had a nice snack table. And well, WildCat was only kidding about us having donuts. So I was wondering if you guys might try and invent a virtual donut. Something like a Bitcoin, but a BitDonut that you could give out here like a complimentary spread to thank us, in advance for helping spread the word. These would need to be redeemable at any of the donut chains.

Just kidding. I believe the people interacting with those on the spectrum are sincerely trying to help. I do wonder about those higher up.

 

[Andrew Williams]

I noticed the candidates in the video had a nice snack table. And well, WildCat was only kidding about us having donuts. So I was wondering if you guys might try and invent a virtual donut. Something like a Bitcoin, but a BitDonut that you could give out here like a complimentary spread to thank us, in advance for helping spread the word. These would need to be redeemable at any of the donut chains.

Just kidding. I believe the people interacting with those on the spectrum are sincerely trying to help. I do wonder about those higher up.

To be honest... those higher up did not know this was really happening until we were well underway.

 

[china autie]

Y'all allow autistics to stim at IBM? Otherwise, I ain't going!

Seriously though, I am glad for any place that will hire any of us for meaningful work.

 

[Autistamatic]

I should point out, that the infographic I posted on another thread a few days ago, played a part in my employers realising I was talking sense about the skill-sets common in autistic people. Might be one people might want to DL and save on their phones or PCs in case it becomes handy one day

 

[Paul Austin]

Y'all allow autistics to stim at IBM? Otherwise, I ain't going!

Seriously though, I am glad for any place that will hire any of us for meaningful work.

HI - I am Andrew William's colleague in IBM, and I helped implement the program at Lansing. Yes, we allow stimming...in short. More precisely, we train management and staff to understand what it is and why it is done. I personally watched one of the people we hired in Lansing get up from their chair and walk a circle around the room, for example. I was secretly thrilled to watch this so I could discretely point it out to others later as an example of it. Andrew told me a story of giving a meeting where one person scribbled furiously in their notebook. Most of the time, we NTs believe that this means the person is not paying attention. Not so, Andrew discovered later, when he was peppered with very intelligent questions by the scribbler.

I appreciate the observations/advices offered here. Please understand we are one of many companies across many industries trying this for the first time. We are going to make mistakes, and we can't help everyone. We are doing our part and supporting one another, and now we are getting help and advice from actually autistic people. We are listening, and we are trying to get all voices heard "higher up". This has been a journey of four years for me.

I completely agree that there are as many different autistics as there are autistics. That's part of our message, too...not all of them will be fit for programming and not all will have PhDs. Other companies in other industries are learning the same things we are for whatever they do - graphic design, automotive repair, libraries, you name it.

thanks again,
Paul

 

[Autistamatic]

HI - I am Andrew William's colleague in IBM, and I helped implement the program at Lansing. Yes, we allow stimming...in short. More precisely, we train management and staff to understand what it is and why it is done. I personally watched one of the people we hired in Lansing get up from their chair and walk a circle around the room, for example. I was secretly thrilled to watch this so I could discretely point it out to others later as an example of it. Andrew told me a story of giving a meeting where one person scribbled furiously in their notebook. Most of the time, we NTs believe that this means the person is not paying attention. Not so, Andrew discovered later, when he was peppered with very intelligent questions by the scribbler.

I appreciate the observations/advices offered here. Please understand we are one of many companies across many industries trying this for the first time. We are going to make mistakes, and we can't help everyone. We are doing our part and supporting one another, and now we are getting help and advice from actually autistic people. We are listening, and we are trying to get all voices heard "higher up". This has been a journey of four years for me.

I completely agree that there are as many different autistics as there are autistics. That's part of our message, too...not all of them will be fit for programming and not all will have PhDs. Other companies in other industries are learning the same things we are for whatever they do - graphic design, automotive repair, libraries, you name it.

thanks again,
Paul

I made a number of those exact same points about stimming at work, the common impression it gives, and ways of overcoming such difficulties in the video linked below

Glad to hear someone on the other side of the "fence" saying the same.

 

[Paul Austin]

I made a number of those exact same points about stimming at work, the common impression it gives, and ways of overcoming such difficulties in the video linked below

Glad to hear someone on the other side of the "fence" saying the same.

We are trying very hard to understand and accept, and just teach the same to others. We're grateful to learn from you.

 

[Autistamatic]

We are trying very hard to understand and accept, and just teach the same to others. We're grateful to learn from you.

Myself and the majority of autistic advocates promote a "meeting halfway" approach to neurodiversity. We want to be better accepted, but it's important for us to understand why we sometimes make people feel uncomfortable. Understanding is a two way street, so if we wish to be understood and better accommodated, we should be as aware of our strengths and weaknesses as we wish others to be.
Everything that I and the people I associate with write and produce, sings from much the same songsheet, not because we're a group with an agenda or a manifesto, but because it just makes sense.
To find people like you and Andrew making efforts to include us is a breath of fresh air!

 

[WildCat]

I'd just like to thank you both for your personal feedback and listening to input from members here, and yes, that stuff about the donuts was indeed a joke. Sort of a inside joke here that I borrowed, but never mind that

This sounds like a good idea and I hope a company like IBM, along with the people behind it, can for once see the benefits behind this. I know there may be hiccups along the way, but it's a step in a better direction and for that, I thank you both for the work you have done here.

 

[Paul Austin]

I'd just like to thank you both for your personal feedback and listening to input from members here, and yes, that stuff about the donuts was indeed a joke. Sort of a inside joke here, but never mind that

This sounds like a good idea and I hope a company like IBM, along with the people behind it, can for once see the benefits behind this.

I love donuts : )

 

[tducey]

Anytime you can read about hiring people with Autism- No matter their skill set- it's a good thing. Thanks for sharing this.

 

[Andrew Williams]

I love donuts : )

I disagree with Paul on my items... but donuts. Yip. I will go with you on that.

 

[Paul Austin]

I disagree with Paul on my items... but donuts. Yip. I will go with you on that.

Mom always like you best anyway.

 

[paloftoon]

If anyone is in the Philly area and is willing to meet in-person, I could refer you to where I work currently and answer questions about what work would involve. I am involved in such a program. I only do this in-person in a public place. PM me.