New company hiring autistic software engineers.
Submitted by ike on Mon, 03/23/2009 - 03:24.
Hi,
I've been absent from the forums here for a while, but it occurred to me that others here might be interested in hearing about this new business we're starting.
We're creating a software company that will hire engineers on the autistic spectrum. We're also practicing "radical openness" by making our business plan and related documents public and inviting review and critique.
Our new website is at http://www.autlabs.com
And you can get involved on our wiki
http://autlabs.wikispaces.com
Elesia Ashkenazy also just posted an interview on her blog:
http://aspitude.blogspot.com/2009/03/world-autism-interviews-isaac.html
Thanks!
Specialisterne
Some recent correspondence I had with Thorkil Sonne...
Our expectations are still that we will get going in Glasgow - but we await the final confirmation.
Our intention is to find the tasks in the market that match the skills and motivation of our staff. Some of our staff do advanced stuff like designs or software testing - some do repetitive jobs like packing of SIM cards for a telecommunication company.
It's always a balance - there will be moments where we have tasks that just has to be fulfilled - even though it's not favorite tasks for our staff. We are competing at market terms - so compromises will have to be reached some times.
Best
Thorkil
-----Oprindelig meddelelse-----
Fra: Aeolienne
Sendt: 2. juli 2009 18:33
Til: Thorkil Sonne
Emne: Re: SV: Is there anything like Specialisterne in the UK?
The article about Specialisterne that appeared in the Independent on
Sunday on 31 May said that you were planning to open a Glasgow office by the end of this year. Have circumstances changed since you were interviewed?
And another thing - there was one bit in the same article that jumped out at me, "Specialisterne employs 60 people, has a turnover of almost £2m, and works with Microsoft (it tested Windows XP Media Center) and CSC, among other major international companies, helping them to check information systems, databases and other highly demanding, often repetitive, number-crunching tasks." - the last few words in particular. Obviously I appreciate that any job has its less interesting moments but I personally would object to being sidelined to a "repetitive number-crunching" job just because of my condition. Is that the intention of Specialisterne?
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/bet...
Aeolienne
>----Original Message----
>From: Thorkil Sonne
>Date: 25/06/2009 8:00
>To: Aeolienne
>Subj: SV: Is there anything like Specialisterne in the UK?
>
>Thanks for your mail.
>
>No - there are not any companies like Specialisterne yet in the UK.
>
>We hope to be able to start our concept up in the UK - but we >cannot tell when yet.
>
>Best
>
>Thorkil
>Founder
>
>-----Oprindelig meddelelse-----
>Fra: Aeolienne
>Sendt: 23. juni 2009 18:07
>Til: aarhus@specialisterne.dk; cph@specialisterne.dk
>Emne: Is there anything like Specialisterne in the UK?
>
>I was interested to read about you on your website, but at the
>moment emigrating to Denmark is not a practical option. Do you know >of any similar companies in the UK?
>
>M.v.h.
>Aeolienne (diagnosed with Asperger's in 2001)
Responses
Ike
Did you get any responses to your posting?
Malcolm
Responses
Ike
Any further news on this?
I have been speaking to Thorkil Skorne at Specialisterne in Denmark about their project which is not only fascinating but also hugely important.
I would like to offer as much support as I can?
Regards
Malcolm
What about other countries?
Emigrating to Denmark isn't a practical option for me. Are there any similar set-ups in the UK?
Glasgow Office
Just to re-iterate, Specialisterne are due to open an office in Glasgow next year.
I get the impression as well that Thorkil Sorne (founder of Specialisterne) has really started something important here; something that has set a most useful precedent.
I know of one other company in the US who is starting up something similar (autlabs) and another which is trying to get something off the ground.
I suspect that these start-ups will spark further attempts elsewhere and it woud be good if this forum can spark a debate about ideas for possible opportunities.
UK Autism Orientated Companies
Not to my knowledge at the moment. There is only Specialisterne in Denmark and an equivalent starting up in the US, (Autlabs).
I am hoping/suspect that these won't be the last however. I think that they are great ideas, and can offer real hope for people with AS and for organisations as they will be able to exploit the talents we all have directly.
I am hoping that the owner/founder of Specialisterene will be making a contribution to Aspergermanagement very shortly, (he is currrently reading my book Managing with Asperger Syndrome!.
Check out the Autlabs forum entry above:
http://www.aspergermanagement.com/new-company-hiring-autistic-software-e...