Germany's SAP helps autistic

Program aims to aid carving out paths for those with the condition

German software group SAP launched an Autism at Work program in China, to help those with the condition in China tap their potential and talents, providing them with potential work opportunities.

The Baden-Wurttemberg headquartered company decided to work with the China Association of People with Mental Illness and their Families and Relatives and Beijing Stars & Rain Education Institute for Autism in the current year.

SAP is the first information and technology company to launch a program in China to help those with autism at work. It said it is aiming to carve out career paths for Chinese with autism, creating an ecosystem to embrace diversified talent, and in the process contributing to society in China.

Autism is a developmental disorder of the brain that affects communication skills. Those with autism lack the necessary ability for regular social interaction and are unable to fully look after themselves.

It is estimated that some 85 percent of autistic patients in the world are jobless. However, statistics have shown that 60 percent of the people with autism have higher-than-average cognitive competence. Experts of the condition say that in addition, they are extremely suitable for work in the high-tech sector.

"People with autism pay attention to details, are able to stay highly-focused for a relatively long period of time and possess good logic and analytical skills," said Mark Gibbs, SAP's China president.

Gibbs said this meant they could provide invaluable assistance and support in departments such as customer support, product innovation, marketing and sales.

The Autism at Work program will focus on the characteristics of those with autism. It will establish a system especially suitable for China, which covers the procedures of recruiting, training, hiring and working - while fully supporting those with the condition undertake work in core positions.

SAP, meanwhile, is also designing related assisting devices to help the employees get accustomed to and fit in with their companies.

"China has a huge group of people with autism. There are more than two million who are under 14 and over three million aged above 14 in China," said Wen Hong, president of China Association of People with Mental Illness.

"The Autism at Work program enables them to live a life with independence and dignity, which is also a permanent goal of our association."

Hu Xiaoyi, director of the Education Research Center for Children with Autism at Beijing Normal University Faculty of Education, said that apart from being technical workers, those with autism could fill such diverse roles as baristas, doctors and soldiers.

"They add diversity and tolerance to our working environments, bringing more creativity and innovation, and promoting social integration to the full extent."

Tian Huiping, founder of Beijing Stars & Rain Education Institute for Autism, said that those with autism focused on details and their desire to achieve perfection could be of great social value.

Contact the writer at zhongnan@chinadaily.com.cn and zhengyiran@chinadaily.com.cn