Liz Kinsella with Thrive Autism Solutions in St. Louis Urges Companies to Hire Workers with Autism

    ST. LOUIS, MO, July 29, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- As companies attempt to diversify and heed calls to be more inclusive, Liz Kinsella, MSW, BCBA, LBA, Program Director at Thrive Autism Solutions in St. Louis, is urging companies to add employees with autism to their staffs. She emphasizes that many graduates with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are just as talented as their peers, and can excel in the proper environment.

Kinsella said hiring an employee with autism not only adds to a corporation's goal for diversity but can also be a sound business decision. Companies can leverage the strengths of those on the spectrum and improve their own business practices.

"Individuals with autism have many strengths that other employees might lack. They can have great abilities to focus on one task and attend to small details, often take great pride in completing a task, and might have a fresh and unique perspective on how to solve a problem. Some of the best areas for job prospects include positions that are highly structured, involve repetition, and where the employee can receive clear training and feedback regarding their performance," said Kinsella.

She pointed out that, like many new employees, workers with autism may need accommodations and training before they can independently execute a new task. "This could include assistance from a job coach, having complex tasks broken down into smaller steps, or extra visual supports like lists or schedules written down for future reference. Other employees may benefit from having the freedom to approach a task from a new angle, time to process a directive before executing it, or the space to complete work without interruption."

Kinsella indicated those in charge of hiring and interviewing should be understanding of social differences and nuances of those on the spectrum. An applicant with autism may not make the most eye contact in an interview, or might be blunter and more honest that other applicants during the hiring process. But such honesty, directness, and even a dislike of office small-talk can be extremely valuable traits in an employee.

Thanks to intensive early intervention, or Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), many young children with autism are growing up to be fantastic candidates for the workforce, and are ready and eager to contribute to society. Kinsella said that a quality ABA treatment program, developed and supervised by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), can address skills needed for employment and navigating the social aspects of a new job.

"A BCBA can conduct a comprehensive assessment of an individual's skills in order to identify strengths and areas that need to be built upon before starting a job," Kinsella added. "A thorough treatment plan can address the specific skills necessary for employment. These may include learning how to complete a job application, how to answer potential interview questions, learning job specific tasks and improving conversational skills with co-workers and others."

Some large international corporations have started to hire more employees with autism. Microsoft, Apple, Ford Motor Company, American Express and Barnes and Noble are among those companies. Businesses, and the community at large, have much to gain by following suit and hiring individuals with autism.

ABOUT THRIVE AUTISM SOLUTIONS
Thrive Autism Solutions was founded in 2013 by Raelynn Hillhouse, Ph.D., CEO. She has been named to Forbes' elite list of "Big Achievers" and has been written about in many national publications. Dr. Hillhouse has 17 years of senior executive experience in behavioral health and within nine months of incorporation, led Thrive to become the first CARF-accredited program in the South specifically for behavioral consultation for children with autism.

Thrive's BCBAs assess a child's strengths and needs, and build a detailed treatment plan which serves as a road map for therapy goals addressed in a comprehensive program.

Thrive is one of the few Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) providers accredited by the CARF International accrediting body. ABA, when delivered properly by Board Certified Behavior Analysts, can change lives. Children receiving ABA from Thrive have made significant improvements in communication and family interaction, initiating new friendships and fitting in at school, reaching developmental milestones, and improving independence and daily living skills. For more information contact Thrive Autism Solutions St. Louis at 314-932-2402 or visit http://www.thriveASD.org.

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