Archived News: Across the U.S.
December 2012
Danish Company Shares Benefits of Hiring Individuals with ASD
In a recent article by Gareth Cook of The New York Times (November 29, 2012), it appears that more and more businesses are beginning to see the benefits of hiring individuals with ASD. Cook discusses Thorkil Sonne’s new business venture, Specialisterne. Sonne is not only a business owner, but also a parent to a child with ASD. As Sonne observed his son’s unique strengths and abilities over the years, he discovered a vast array of skills including focus and attention to detail that he, as a former technical director at a telecommunications company, could use in the field. Specialisterne, the Danish word for ‘the specialists,’ is a consultative-based company that employs high functioning workers with ASD, workers that often excel at tedious tasks. While the model does not work well with everyone, it does provide a market niche for some individuals with ASD. In fact, Specialisterne has become so popular that Sonne and his family are planning a move to the United States in order to expand. Sonne believes that more employers should consider hiring those with ASD in certain jobs given their unique abilities and considers his venture as the dandelion model. Sonne believes that dandelions can be seen as weeds in our yards or as spring greens in our salads. He was quoted as saying, “Every one of us has the power to decide, do we want to see a weed, or do we see an herb?”
For more information and to read this article, click here.
DSM-V Changes Approved
According to Psychiatric News (December 1, 2012), the APA’s Board of Trustees have approved the DSM-V changes, including changes to the criteria and definition of Autism. Previously, the DSM-IV used the term Autistic Disorder. This has been replaced with the term Autism Spectrum Disorder. Other changes include the greatly contested removal of the term Asperger’s Syndrome and incorporating it into the broader diagnostic label, Autism Spectrum Disorder. The DSM routinely evolves as science and research improve our understanding of such disorders, including ASD. The updated DSM-V will be published in May 2013. For more information, please click here.
