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I think the correct way to understand autistic people vis-a-vis the industry is not by placing such people up on a pedestal as "special", but that tech is an en
by bobthechef 9y ago
I think the correct way to understand autistic people vis-a-vis the industry is not by placing such people up on a pedestal as "special", but that tech is an environment where people with social deficits (whether related to autism or simply a lack of social skills) are more likely to survive career-wise precisely because they skills they lack are not needed and are not a selection criteria that words against their survival.
- watwut 9y agoI agree with that. I also think it would not hurt much to educate others how to communicate functionally with someone like that, so that it does not end as ugly as it sometimes is (it can turn to bullying in tech too, especially in those highly competitive cut through environnement). I would say that autistic are in disadvantage also in tech, just less so. Because those social skills are needed for anything except most junior positions and situations with managent capable to crete few positions with absolutely clear requirements and no need to cooperate closely. However, I strongly dislike when autistic person is framed as average or typical programmer.Note how often is discussion framed in exactly those terms. Or when social skills are framed as somehow in opposition to ability to learn algorithms, design or "computer". You can indeed be interested in both people and programming and even have other constantly changing side interests. And nine of it implies you are bound to be weaker programmer.