Problem addressed

In Denmark, only 1 in 10 autistic people have a job. However, many autistic/neurodivergent people have unique talents and skills, such as a great memory or remarkable attention to detail. Employer attitudes towards persons with disabilities is an important contributing factor to the high unemployment rate of persons with disabilities yet it is often not the main focus of disability inclusion strategies.

Innovative solution

The Specialisterne Foundation, a social enterprise established in Denmark in 2008, has built partnerships with autism networks to identify job candidates, assess their skills in assessment centres and then train them for employment opportunities. A four-week assessment and training module for autistic people, run by specialisterne groups established by the foundation, uses innovative methods to develop skills such as ‘lego mindstorm’, which is a learning-through-play tool that involves the building and programming of a lego robot. During the module, specialisterne staff train candidates on how the companies work, how to build relationships with colleagues and how to collaborate in a corporate setting with a variety of people. After the training, candidates are invited to work together in a team and develop a solution to a challenge.

The assessment module was developed in collaboration with Deloitte and focuses on technical, professional and soft skills such as teamwork and motivation. Through the assessment, the Specialisterne Foundation gains information about the candidates and is able to share their profiles with companies and facilitate matching and eventual recruitment.

In parallel, the foundation trains companies on how to create work environments in which autistic people can excel. Companies take part in the programme when they are actively seeking to hire skilled people. The Specialisterne Foundation does not only recruit people for high-skilled jobs. In Australia, for example, there was a demand for farm workers, and the foundation successfully connected suitable autistic candidates with the farms and helped them to find employment. Employees are encouraged to help their autistic colleagues and become their buddies, which creates a cohesive environment in the company where both autistic and non-autistic colleagues feel comfortable and cooperate more effectively.

Key results and benefits

Since its establishment, the Specialisterne Foundation has created around 10 000 jobs for autistic people through structural partnerships with companies such as SAP, Microsoft, IBM, Willis Towers Watson and EY. The experience of these companies has shown that the inclusive working culture created through the project is beneficial not only for people with autism or special needs, but for everyone in the company. Managers who learn to manage autistic people become better managers for non-autistic employees as well, as they learn to be more precise and to tailor their approach to each employee.

With the support of the Specialisterne Foundation, the software company SAP has established a company programme called Autism at Work. Since 2013, the company has recruited more than 160 people with autism in 13 countries. As a result of this, autistic people have brought their expertise to the company, teamwork has improved and a more inclusive working culture has been generated.

Potential for mainstreaming

The foundation was established in Denmark but has expanded over the years via international partnerships and grants to a global level. It now has established specialisterne offices in Denmark, the United States of America, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Spain, Brazil, Canada, Iceland, Austria, Australia, Singapore and Italy. It has also established partnerships with other local organisations that hold a presence in India, Czechia, Costa Rica, Poland, Argentina and China. The foundation is financially supported by sponsors and EU programmes such as Leonardo da Vinci Transfer of Innovation (2010–2014), Progress (2012–2013), and the European Social Fund (2012–2013).

Upscaling has been successful thanks to the initiative’s recognised ability to promote the talents of neurodivergent people, which has driven curiosity and demand for the foundation’s method. Key factors for its transferability include sustainable funding and the engagement of companies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), families, schools and local and national governments, coupled with an understanding of the potential offered by neurodivergent individuals.

The target of the foundation is to create 1 million jobs for autistic/neurodivergent people by 2030, as part of the eighth United Nations Sustainable Development Goal, ‘decent work and economic growth’. To reach this target, the foundation is trying to build more partnerships and expand its network in Europe and Asia, initially focusing on sectors such as cyber security and information technology where there is untapped potential for autistic people.