Aspiritech, a Chicago-based tech startup, is a software testing firm that exclusively hires people with Asperger’s syndrome. Why? Because apparently, people suffering from Asperger’s make for the perfect software tester. And this isn’t even news! Studies have shown people with Asperger’s thriving in tech fields because it supposedly makes them feel “safe” and gives them “control”.
The founder of Aspiritech takes it a step further:
Recent research from Harvard Business School and others showed that the strengths of people with Aspergers and high-functioning autism actually make them superior at software testing. They’re ability to focus, good memory, their high intelligence, their strong technical skills, their ability to detect details and also to stay focused over lengthy periods, really makes them ideal for software testing work. People with Aspergers can become ideal software testers.
Let’s face it, it sounds a helluva lot like exploitation. But! The founders of the company have a son who suffered from Asperger’s and got fired from his previous job. They’re hoping to “solve the employment challenge of individuals with Asperger’s syndrome and high functioning autism”. Let’s hope it’s not anything more malicious than that. [ZDNet]
Sam
Friday, February 25, 2011 at 8:22 AMEvaluating whether this is exploitative would really require consideration of their employment conditions and salary!
Ed
Friday, February 25, 2011 at 10:38 AMI would hope that everyone becomes employed in a job for which they are well-suited. As an adult (retired) aspie, I think this is a great idea. Aspies are terrible at many things, but there are areas where we excel.
Wilma Darling
Friday, February 25, 2011 at 8:31 AMYou dont — suffer from Aspergers — in the way you suffer from being ignorant. This piece is exacly what people with a great deal of grace, kindness and ability don’t need you to make uniformed judgements about. We dont need to speak for us – we can speak and think very well for ourselves. Save your trite comments for things you have a baisc knowledge of please.
olearymo
Friday, February 25, 2011 at 10:56 AMBeat me there – and well said. I don’t have Asperger’s or know anyone who does, but I can definitely understand people not considering it ‘suffering’ and people need to respect that.
Don’t mean any offence Casey, but some of your tone is a little patronising (‘exploitation’). We’re not talking about a whole bunch of Dustin Hoffman Rainmen here. (‘hundred dollars, hundred dollars, kmart’).
olearymo
Friday, February 25, 2011 at 10:53 AMMany people with Asperger’s despise being told they ‘suffer’ from it. Just a pointer.
James Carson
Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 1:38 AMseriously, if it means they dont have to put up with the stress of social interaction with strangers etc every working day. and can deal with the logical, expected stuff a computer will throw at you, its great employment.
btw. people with aspergers arent retarded. they’re much more likely to be exploited by a group of ‘friends’ than an employer.
Brenda Weitzberg
Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 4:35 AMThanks for the attention on Aspiritech. The word “suffer” is certainly not one used by me in the interview above!
Our mission is totally strength-based, harnessing the unique skills of ASD for competitive employment in software testing. Out testers currently earn approximately 150% of our State’s minimum wage per hour.