| "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy! Am I stupid?" excitedly | | | | few available jobs, the autistics lack the polish and |
| requested Christopher, nearly out of breath from the | | | | credentials of the more traditionally groomed |
| long run into the kitchen. She knew he had been | | | | candidates. |
| playing with neighborhood children under a mighty pine | | | | It seems employers quickly forget the advantages of |
| tree in the side yard. | | | | autistic workers when it comes to repetitive tasks. |
| Saddened by the question and realizing he had just | | | | Those with autism possess an uncanny ability to focus |
| been tormented by the others, she tenderly gave him | | | | on their work and perform the repetitive tasks with |
| a hug and lovingly told him, "No, Christopher, you are | | | | tremendous accuracy and reliability. They are also |
| not stupid." | | | | extremely loyal workers, unlikely to jump ship because |
| "Oh," replied Christopher, with obvious disappointment in | | | | they can earn a quarter an hour more at another |
| his tone. | | | | employer. |
| Certainly you must be wondering why these loving | | | | The Federal Reserve board is reporting "fresh |
| words of motherhood would be met with such | | | | momentum" in all 12 surveyed districts across the |
| sadness. You see what had really happened was that | | | | nation. This is an early indicator of economic conditions |
| as the children were teasing him about his autism they | | | | that will change the current employer's market back to |
| were really paying attention to him. He was the center | | | | the employee's market. Along with the change will be |
| of their focus and for a brief moment he felt like he | | | | a return to the problem of employee retention. Gallup |
| was accepted by them. He felt special. His value as a | | | | shows nearly 50% of employees feel disconnected |
| human had astronomically increased because he was, | | | | from their employer and finds that only 43% of |
| as they put it, "stupid". | | | | employees are satisfied with their current employment |
| As Christopher grew he understood the lesson he | | | | situation, down from 50%. According to president, |
| learned that summer afternoon better than most | | | | Peter North, many employers are misled by the fact |
| people ever do. He understands that he is different, but | | | | that their current retention is low. These three facts |
| that it is okay to be different. Now a teenager, | | | | point out that the marketplace will soon return to an |
| Christopher sees himself as an individual that has value. | | | | employee's market and up to 57% of employees are |
| He knows that even though he may be "stupid" in | | | | likely to change jobs. |
| many people's eyes, he is an individual with special | | | | Given these facts the smart employer will begin to |
| traits and talents that excel above those same traits | | | | prepare today for this shift. They will do so because |
| and talents in "normal" people. | | | | even if the shift does not occur the analysis will |
| During his work training class at Rochester's Stoney | | | | provide for a stronger, more productive workforce. |
| Creek High School, Christopher has proven these | | | | The even smarter employers will look for ways to |
| talents. During his assignment at Mr. Pita every | | | | combine tedious functions or repetitive work into jobs |
| take-out bag was exactly the same: neatly bagged | | | | for autistic Americans. By seeking out these tasks and |
| pickle, napkin, and utensils in the exact arrangement he | | | | combining them into special jobs they establish a core |
| was first shown. At Rochester's Dillman & Upton | | | | group within their organization to do these tedious jobs |
| Lumber each tube of caulk was placed on the shelf | | | | effectively and joyfully. They will also find a core of |
| with precision - label facing out and in the proper slot | | | | loyal employees for many years to come. |
| for the brand and type. And in his semester at Duke | | | | Being a leader means making the choice to do what is |
| Humphries' Grill, luncheon diners would see every place | | | | right for the long-term good of a company or |
| setting in perfect match and each salt and pepper | | | | organization. When a company can hire someone |
| shaker filled to precise spot Christopher has been | | | | unlikely to leave their employment, they have reduced |
| shown. | | | | the future hiring and training expenses. A real leader |
| Despite this unquenchable desire for perfection in the | | | | takes this into account. When they do, it helps the |
| accomplishment of routine tasks, thousands of people | | | | handicapped to offset the stigmas associated with |
| just like Christopher have another label placed on them | | | | their disability. |
| today: "unemployable". When the economy is strong | | | | For more information about hiring workers with |
| and unemployment is low, employers find autistic | | | | disabilities, contact New Horizons or the Jay Shops in |
| workers to be among their best. However in an | | | | Pontiac, or Community Mental Health Services in |
| economy where every worker must market | | | | Auburn Hills. |
| themselves to beat out dozens or competitors for the | | | | |