The firm whose staff are all autistic

By Jane Wakefield Technology reporter
2 January 2019

•••••

Auticon is one of only a handful of companies that cater exclusively for employees who are on the autistic spectrum.

Formerly known as MindSpark before being acquired by German-based Auticon, the firm was founded by Gray Benoist who, as the father of two autistic sons, saw few options in the workplace that could cater for their needs.

•••••

He started the firm in 2013 and it has now grown to more than 150 employees. His oldest son, also called Gray, now works in the finance team.

"Our mission is about enabling a group who have been disenfranchised. There are many segments of society that are under-utilised and people on the autistic spectrum are one of them," he said.

•••••

"People tend to hire people who are like themselves, and autistic people are not like you, they are like themselves," said Steve Silberman, author of Neurotribes, a book which looks at the evolution of autism.

"The list of things you are not supposed to do in an interview is practically a definition of autism. Don't look away, look the employer in the eye, sell yourself. All of these are very difficult for autistic people."

•••••

Some firms have found ways around the traditional interview process. German software firm SAP, which also employs those on the autistic spectrum, offers candidates the chance to build Lego robots instead of a formal interview.

•••••