Autism offers employers a competitive advantage

With all the reports of cyber-attacks this month on the Nine Network, Victorian hospitals and parliamentary email systems, it is important to recognise the benefits of hiring autistic people in cybersecurity and other IT roles ahead of World Autism Awareness Day on April 2.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, there were 205,200 Australians with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in 2018. While it is considered a disability, autism can offer employers a distinct competitive advantage.

Several private and public employers have realised this and adopted neurodiversity employment programs. The big banks, Telstra and technology companies such as DXC Technology and SAP, form part of a broader group to employ people with ASD as part of employment neurodiversity programs, often in IT roles. Autistic people in software-testing roles at Australia’s Department of Human Services (DHS) are reportedly 30 per cent more productive than the others. The Harvard Business Review has recognised neurodiversity as offering a competitive advantage.

But there is still a way to go. Only around 40 per cent with ASD participated in the workforce in 2015.

That’s why we need to get the message out and clear about the productivity boost that autistic people can offer.

People with high-functioning ASD often display a unique set of characteristics that are increasingly sought after in IT roles because of their logical pursuit of the truth. They demonstrate a dedication and a conviction to remaining faithful to software objectives to a far greater level than neurotypical people and are less likely to lie or to distort the truth than a neurotypical person.

Another important characteristic is that people with autism often possess a genuine passion for solving puzzles. This single preference enables people with ASD to pursue challenges and unsolved aspects in computing science with a strong sense of resolve. Autistic people become determined to find and repair code and will not stop until a solution is found.

For this reason, studies show that people in these two areas with autism often outperform those without autism.

There are two emerging areas where those with ASD become highly sought after in the workplace. The first is in software testing, while the second is in cyber security. In both areas, people with autism are known to apply a significantly increased level of dedication to resolving critical components that are incomplete. A fondness for puzzle solving becomes a powerful driver in terms of motivation and the desire to solve those things that are incongruent.

Technology roles appeal to autistic people, who typically prefer to communicate with machinery than with people. Interactions within the computing domain allows for logical engagement with systems, programs, and platforms.

In addition, people with ASD enjoy specific work objectives. The IT industry is an area where there are usually clear guidelines and unwavering rules about tasks. In terms of software, these rules exist in the way we use software, whereas discussions with people, and workplace and social structures, can be difficult for autistic pole to understand.

We know that recruitment firms report that the most commonly successful areas of employment for people with ASD are strongly connected with IT, assurance, and data analytics. We also know that people with ASD will engage more actively with online learning rather than face-to-face learning because they can enjoy the certainty and clarity of tasks that are completed in their comfort zones. Online learning removes the anxiety out of face-to-face interactions. As a result, people with ASD are more actively engaged with online courses such as a Master of Cyber Security or Master of Computer science than with the face-to-face equivalents.

Yet the statistics for autism show that many people who are on the spectrum have difficulty in securing employment of any meaningful kind. The exception to that rule is in Information Technology, where people with ASD not only find employment, but they are able to hold employment for long periods of time, and report much higher levels of satisfaction than other areas of employment. The addition of a high-level qualification in Computer science, IT or Cyber Security not only provides greatly increased opportunities for finding a job, but also keeping a job, and enjoying the satisfaction and potentially higher salary that comes with it.

Dr David Cook is a lecturer within the School of science and unit co-ordinator of the Information Warfare unit for ECU’s Accelerated Online Master of Cyber Security, a member of the Australian Centre for Cyber Security Excellence (ACCSE), and a Fellow of the Australian Computer Society.