Please remember that it’s not just data and tech fields that people on the spectrum can make a difference. My daughter is on the spectrum - she writes stories and songs, paints and is wonderful with animals. She has an encyclopedic knowledge of animal and plant facts. There needs to be room and recognition in many areas for people on the spectrum to be able to contribute.
Yes it’s an awful stereotype that autism is a “male” and obvious disorder, actually females on the spectrum have been historically under-diagnosed unless it is on the low functioning end, and when it does show up in us females, it often presents as social science, music, arts, creative writing etc. not everyone with autism is a little boy with trains in the corner ignoring everyone
Exactly and for people with those artistic or more specialized or idiosyncratic scientific skills, the job market is even more significantly against them because the funding for them continues to dry up so there's so much more competition. In biology and environmental fields especially, there are too many unpaid internships, underpaid research assistants, and volunteering positions with which people cannot sustain a living. I've heard from so many ecologists and biologists that there's vital yet unsexy work of monitoring and counting species that is so well-suited to autistic nature-lovers but doesn't get done because it's relegated to volunteers who often don't have enough time or money to do it thoroughly. And that's just one example, there are so many other fields that need detail-oriented, autism-friendly work done but is left unfilled because our society doesn't want to fund it. Never mind government, not even many private philanthropists are interested in funding arts and the humanities anymore.
you know, people often care about children with disabilities, but when we become adults, we're forgotten. It's harder to find resources, to be hired, to take care of ourselves, to make new friends. However, those of us on the spectrum, I've come to realize, are generally more empathetic, detail-oriented, and funny (yes, funny). sometimes, all we need is a chance.
I agree. I'm living proof of that. But growing up adults didn't take me seriously or listen to my questions. They would've accused me of trying to argue when I was just trying to understand.
@@offplanet740 Sometimes I would look things up in a dictionary and I will find out that the words have been used out of context or a slang instead of the actual meaning. I have always been very literal and I try to say what I mean and I will try to get my words heard because if I don't I feel like the person that I am talking to won't understand me or they'll think that I'm lying or something else. Trying to communicate sometimes seems very difficult because the English language has too many ways to say the same thing and if someone doesn't understand one way then they can misinterpret what you are trying to say.
My daughter is on the spectrum. There are moments when I wonder what kind of life she will lead and if she will be happy. Your story gives hope and encouragement. Thank you for the story, and best wishes to the adults in your story on the spectrum.
@@bernardgrant3349 Hello! I checked out your website and it has some great videos and resources. Thank you for sharing! And I wish you well in your writing and activism. 😊👍
Such an inspiring video! My sister is autistic and it is very comforting that people are starting to recognize the untapped potential of people with autism. Thank you for sharing these stories 😀
I can relate to them because I am diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome and there is a lot of discrimination towards people with disabilities. I have a hard time keeping a job because they say that I'm too slow.
Does not a reason that you stop your job sir,pls be.Egnore that people who down you,pls be manage your self as a the same on to other people like normal...God bleess..
As someone in the austistic spectrum, I appreciate a lot this kind of initiatives. It is important to show companies that this is not just the "right" and "nice" response, but is the INTELLIGENT action to make from the business point of view, since autistic employees bring exceptional value to the companies! Ernst & Young was my first job, whitout even knowing I was autistic!
@@maryj5245 Thank you for your empathy tours our kids. Tears been rolling down my eyes all my life as my daughter got older and thinking it gets harder as they grow up.
This is one of the top fifty BEST programmings of 60 Minutes over the last 20 years that I have watched 60 minutes. This genuinely put tears in my eyes; please, whoever is reading this comment, hire people like autism or any disability. If I had my company, I would make this video a must-watch for HR. Thank You, 60 Minutes, and Anderson Cooper!🙏🏻
This video provides a bit of hope on an issue that has plagued me for over a decade. I have always worried about what will become of my 12 yr old once she is too old for school and I am not sure an employer would work with her communication issues...this brought happy tears to my eyes
I wish her well in the future. But from my experiences with the work place and the world around me humanity has a long way to go. There is still way too much discrimination towards people with disabilities. I understand it because of having Asperger's syndrome and I have struggled to keep my jobs in the past. I've only had one year that I made over 10k and I lost that job because of a supervisor who lied about me cussing at him and I don't cuss.
As an Autistic adult woman, I’d really encourage your daughter to find and harness her strengths and interests, get her involved in activities and volunteering soon or in her teen years. Temple Grandin has some longer lectures on TH-cam explaining how parents get so focused on the Autism that they forget that kids are kids and want to do the same thing other kids do. Being able to come from a place of strength and passion in interests will help your daughter in the years to come!
@@rachel_sj yes, I have always tried to encourage my daughter to explore her strengths. She currently is very into making art, stop-motion videos and music videos. I try to get her software to help her with her editing, but honestly I have no idea about which of those kind of programs would work best for her. So I will most likely have to take a class or 2 so I can help her learn to use them. She is already much more advanced than I am in those things and seeing the videos she puts together are so great. She has lots of potential
Why would she work for an employer? All they do is exploit people, let alone autistic people. I have horror stories. Push her to work for herself, with supports of course like occupational therapist etc
I'm on the spectrum and have been unemployed for the past 3 years. Here in Germany it is impossible to find work if you're on the spectrum. I was fired from my last job as a software developer because "I didn't fit into the team". I have received hundreds of rejection letters thus far. I stopped counting them because they depressed me.
What programming languages are you proficient in? I'm on the spectrum with some very highly developed social skills as a result of mimicking very charismatic people in my family but also have high technical aptitude.
I know this is an old comment, but I am likely on the autistic spectrum as well and from Germany and after years and years of problems in finding a job I have found a job that I like and that works for me (even though it doesn't pay well). I'm a freelance English online tutor in one-on-one lessons. Freelancing avoids my PDA and gives me a feeling of control, as I can potentially reject any offer that I get. The fact that the tutoring is one-on-one means that I don't get overwhelmed by sounds etc. The fact that it's online means that I don't ever have to go outside, drive or go on public transport, I can just work from home, therefore I avoid sensory overload. The fact that I like teaching and that I know English well means that I am quite good at my job. Also, I don't have to have many phone calls or lose time with chitchat or small talk and I can still do smalltalk because it's embedded in the job. My autistic attention to detail is also helpful because I can easily spot mistakes that even the children's teachers miss. A lot of my students are probably on the spectrum as well, so we can get along when most others wouldn't be able to. And lastly, my job is valued, useful and I work in a field where most of my competitors are inexperienced, don't take the job seriously or only work in it for a few months during their studies, so I stand out for doing the job longer.
When in a job interview, communication is pretty much the only thing they can judge you on. I imagine, even with the potential for some incredibly skillful work, the issues people on the spectrum face with communication are such a huge barrier. It's especially unfortunate when high communication skills aren't even needed for the job, yet their applicable skills are totally overlooked.
Can't people just say "chit chat"? This is not going well. Let's make it clear and simple. I swear, these Persian Jews who came to the United States with aspirations for high-class nonsense are not taking the heat for a country with massive heating issues.
This was so encouraging to watch. So proud of the employees and the companies for opening their minds and giving everyone an equal chance to earn a living
Omg I love you dude! From a mom of two girls with autism. YOU ARE SO AWESOME. My kids are super smart and crazy problem solvers but their social skills are non-existent.
We have two adult sons with Autism, and they really are gifted. Any parent with Autistic children at home during the quarantine, know that we are praying for you.
My son is also amazing with dates. I can pick out just about any day in the last 4 years and he can tell me how the weather was, small details about stuff that happened that day (like “Oh that’s the day I couldn’t find my phone charger!” ) and also I can point to any day on the calendar within a 4-5 year span and he can tell me what day of the week it fell on...as well as what movies came out on that particular day. He’s such a wonderful boy, funny, engaging. I worry about his future though like after I’m gone...cry about it sometimes. : ((
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Tell him to learn programming. Believe me, it will change his life. Very lucrative profession, especially with his kind of skills
Have faith in this world. Your son will still find kindness after you are gone. I believe it is all our responsibility to care for these people as they age into adulthood. If you see someone struggling with a normal task, pay it forward and help them out. Even if it's just counting change at the register or just trying to tie their shoes. We can all take a few moments out of our day to help someone out.
For me as a female I wasn't diagnosed till last year at 29 and I was put on high dosage of Add meds as a child so it's affected my entire life including my memory . I've won awards in stem, worked for Nasa aerospace yet I can't even get work outside of my internship with school. Alot of people don't want to think about how suicide rates are super high in us because there is no quality of life.
This has to be one of the best stories I’ve watched in a long time. Thank you to all of the employers who hire these amazing Men and Women who have so much to share.
My girlfriend has autism and works in the tech industry she's much smarter than i am im pretty good with tech but when she talks about it im lost in about .5 seconds. Autism is tough to deal with but if you have good support and people who love you you can't fail!
I have Asperger’s and I have so many hobbies and interests. I have knowledge in many areas from Electronics, computing to History. Life has been quite hard for me because I was ‘different’ to other kids when growing up. I was constantly bullied and had very few friends.. But since I graduated from university with a IT degree I had many IT jobs in the last 10 years. Out of 7-8 jobs I had during that time I never passed probation, I was Mis-treated and discriminated against. But now in the last 1 1/2 years I’ve been happy in the job I’m in now and my boss treats me right... unlike my previous bosses/jobs... I guess I’m lucky? But for how long?...
I can relate. I have Asperger's syndrome as well. The one good job that I got went out of business. I was building and repairing bicycles for an small independent shop owner. About two years ago I even did some bikes for the Special Olympics. The shop specialized in bicycles for the handicapped community. My boss loved my attention to detail. He often said what handicap when it came to the Asperger's syndrome because I would often catch things that he would miss when repairing bicycles.
Great to hear you are enjoying your new job! I am in IT as well and I can say that the brightest of the bunch always shine through. Don't ever feel that you are where you are due to luck. The way I see it is that you make your own luck! You make your own luck by working hard, over-delivering and being the best in your field. Keep on crushing it!
I also have Asperger's & it's caused me MANY problems with work (all social, not with the work itself). I was without a job for 5 years. I have a decent job in technology logistics now, but I dread ever having to tell them about my Asperger's. I'm absolutely certain that they would not understand or be empathetic.
I am so blown away by how their minds work! Seeing this and a training recently a fellow coworker told me about makes me think 'FINALLY!!! EVERYONE WILL SEE HOW AWESOME PEOPLE WITH AUTISM ARE!!!'
To me (an autistic adult), I don't see what you see. I see "aww look at the little 'high functionings' don't you feel bad for them? See how stereotypically autistic they are?" And the spectrum is not a line of more and less autistic. It's a sound board with sliders that represent different traits. The underemployment and unemployment stats need to be driven home, but, in a better way than this.
I wish I could get a job but I can’t leave my house. I’ve been like this for a decade. Jobs are important for everyone. Imagine an entire world telling you, “We don’t need you.” That’s how it feels to be an adult on the spectrum and wanting a job. It hurts.
I wish that was true today. These fellows were saying they faced hundreds of rejections; and they touched on not being able to get passed those first interviews because of the superficial fitting in expectations. And they are just the lucky ones who found a workplace that rather accentuate their talents over their social impressions.
Tears in my eyes as I watched this. My memory, attention to detail, never read a book but wrote a book.....wonder if I have something related to autism
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️As a parent of a young adult on the spectrum it is heartening to finally start hearing from others in our situation. Thank you Anderson for doing this piece and giving a national platform for this unique and wonderful young adult population. Autism is becoming a much more common diagnosis and after school almost all of have this feeling of “Now what?” It’s like they struggled through twelve or more years of very hard work only to wonder where and how to keep going; because every young person deserves to look forward to a rich and rewarding life. Regardless of where we find ourselves on a neuro-cognitive arc.
I’m an adult on the spectrum, but I’m not good with STEM like a lot of them are. I’m very artsy and I can notice small spelling and punctuation errors that might be in a written document. I can also do things that involve role play, interaction with people, organization by category, and learning and remembering facts (if the topic interests me enough). I also live to talk, and I would love to do something where I could use public speaking skills. What frustrates me is that you hear about so many autistics who are great in the STEM fields, that the jobs I’d like aren’t looking for people like me.
Have you considered doing podcasts? creating radio shows? writing stories for genres you are interested in? Maybe being a 'self-employed' creative might be the best route if you can master the art of story-telling and creating works that resonate with a common fan-base.
I am a single mom of two teens with autism. They are at opposing ends of the spectrum. As parents, we worry so much because we have seen their amazing talents and memory skills for so long and absolutely KNOW what an asset they would be to any company. This gives hope. Hope that others can see those talents as well! A very sincere Thank You to Andersen Cooper for bringing us this report! Would love to see more like it!
We had to move our son, now 30, from Louisiana to Florida, to find supported housing, and transportation. He takes a bus to work, which is 10 minutes away...went from living in a semi rural area, to a more semi urban area. He has only worked at Goodwill and he has so much more talent than that. Working at a company that has other aspies would be so beneficial to all aspires, not only for a better work experience, but to make friends and possibly date. Aspies are scattered all across the country and most don't have a good job, friends, or the prospect of dating.
Very glad you did this, thank you. I’m not as far on the spectrum as many people, but I’m in the Aspergers range and hide it well from years of social conditioning and feeling bad. Related so much to some of these things and it’s so frustrating and I’m frequently disappointed with myself when I struggle with things that most people find easy or routine. But hey, there’s some benefits, like I can map new cities in my mind and know how to orient myself and navigate new places almost immediately. Thanks again, this was good to watch
We have 4-year old twin boys. One may be on the spectrum, but has not been diagnosed yet. I worry about how he will fit into society. Even at school he has a hard time socializing. This video is inspiring. Thanks! I really needed to see this.
Thanks Anderson Cooper & 60 minutes for bringing us this, Andrew Yang is a great humanitarian & knows balancing point 1st hand. For those of us who are or have autistic family members co-workers or friends, Treat all people with Patience, Kindness, Love & Understanding & the world of us can do nothing but everchange for the better of all.
I have mild Aspergers, I say this since the spectrum could range from some of the people who may be close to non verbal, to another end that tends to blend in a bit better. I have a special interest in music, specifically composing for concert band/marching band. I could see how that would be a sense of designing with science and patterns, as well as a great way of expression from the art of sound. I’ve composed 3 original suites, a symphony, and I hope to make an opera that tells a story. I also have a cool other interest with history and teaching. A parlor trick of mine is to be told a point and place in European/American history and I could explain what was going on with the terms and events , what caused those terms and events a bit before, and start teaching a course going forward from that. Currently a community college student who has a desire to get a major in music and minor in history. I think it’s important to remind people on the spectrum that life doesn’t have to be so isolating. If people think Covid is hard, some in the spectrum go for years like this. Please respect people on the spectrum like me as well as others with awesome talents.
Great work, Anderson. This is an important piece. I'm 63. I was diagnosed autistic when I was 14. I'm happy to see this subject get this kind of attention. We, for the most part, are not disabled. We just think differently.
Fellow Autistic here; I’m 23 & I agree with the “we think differently” side of things. Our brains are wired differently, our sense of thinking & our ability to gain knowledge so much different. The Good Lord bless you, and I hope you continue to live a fantastic life.
Seems like every employer should test their applicant's problem solving abilities regardless of a person being on the autism spectrum or not. I mean someone could be very savvy in social graces, but have very poor talents for the job...
That’s why most jobs look at this thing called a RESUME and it should either prove you have good problem solving capabilities or don’t and they ask questions related to your problem solving skills?
@@daggs1879 I am familiar. Geeze. You couldn't be more condescending. FYI. Dumb people can have someone do a resume for them... And social graced people can charm and entertain through questions. But a simple math test is right or wrong.
I wish with all my heart my son and all individuals with autism find their ideal and fulfilling profession and that more companies give them opportunities! Thank you, thank you ❤️
Good Journalism Good Reporting. Thank You Anderson Cooper and 60 Minutes for reporting on this story. I have Aspergers Syndrome. I also want to work in Journalism. I also like the Autism programs that corporations like Ernst Young have created to assist people with Autism to have a career.
I'll be 23 this week. And have autism. I have to praise Eric. Receiving hundreds of rejections, yet continued applying. I've had so many rejections over the years I'm at a point where I honestly feel like giving up entirely. I'm also in a program that my state has that is supposed to help those of us on the spectrum find employment. They advertise "the average time between applying to the program and getting a job is 7 months." I first applied in March of 2018... Yes, that's correct. That "7 month average" has been 3 years and counting for me... And yes, I know that's the average. But my case must really be stretching that average out at this point.
I smiled. So proud of all these wonderful, gifted, blessed, beautiful young people. Congratulations to all of you. Your perseverance paid off. Now, others on the spectrum will have a better chance of being employed. Always know that you have purpose in this life although it may take others a while to recognize it. 💖🤗🙏🏼🥰💝
I have Asperger's syndrome and in middle school I had a class mate who had a speech impediment and no one could understand him but I was able to translate for him because I had taken the time to listen and get to know him.
It's so great to see people recognizing the value of special skills and talents that neuro-diverse/autistic people possess. It's heartening to hear that people are recognizing this untapped resource and the value of people on the spectrum. Tapping into these special and often above-average skills and putting them to good use is a win-win for everybody, for society as a whole and expands the diversity of our workforce. What a great piece. Thanks Anderson!
This was a great report, 60 minutes. Wonderful job! It left a smile on my face and I felt full of hope afterwards. Thank you for creating fascinating content!
What a fantastic story ❤ I'm so proud of these individuals!!! What an amazing gentleman/pioneer to give these amazing people a chance to succeed and shine with their unique gifts 🥰
Please provide a list of those 30 companies so we can actively search for optimal employment, as one on the spectrum. Thanks for the inspiration. Much ❤️
I wish that it was that easy for me and others on the spectrum. I've been on the spectrum my whole life and I haven't been accepted for my abilities. And I believe that there's lots more that are struggling to be accepted in the work place as well.
It feels great that people on the spectrum have a voice and can showcase their talents. I have Autism myself and God has bless me with the gift of playing the djembe and also to be an drum instructor
The people featured here are impressive and far more productive than many Americans today. We all need to become more familiar and accepting of our society's neurodiversity.
My diagnosis came at age 42 yrs from adult genetic unit which is part of Kings College Hospital London... I never settled, often could not communicate with peers or colleagues. I’m now non-verbal... my voice doesn’t work properly. My needs cannot be accommodated according to employers. Legally my gullibility has failed me... as my first husband abused me and kidnapped my children. Then had me deported from my only home as an adult.
The people featured in this piece are so impressive and so inspiring! We need to keep trying to be as open as we can to people who might be different than us. They may have many things to offer and enrich all of our lives in ways we might not have imagined.
Human resource people have problems getting to a functional autistic's potential skills? They don't do so hot picking an honest employee who doesn't have talents of a functional autistic, but still has talents that can benefit the company.
Thanks for sharing. I work with HS students with disabilities for pre-employment transition services, so I teach a lot on career readiness skills. Autism, like the story mentions, varies so much from person to person. I'm glad to see some employers adjusting to make job opportunities more open and accessible for individuals with Autism. In my experience, having companies willing to work with an individual and provide reasonable accommodations, as well as students/families accessing and using state Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) resources [varies from state to state] are essential for the long term job success of an individual with a disability, at least at first. Thanks again for sharing!
I am very impressed with the people who are wise enough to take a look at what autistic people have to offer in the work place. Autistic folks are not only creative and talented but are extremely determined, very loyal, and very honest and trustworthy people. I hope and pray that more employers will be inspired by these companies to follow their lead in hiring autistic workers. Thanks Anderson, great story!
I have Autism myself, and honestly, this speaks to me on a personal level. Having Autism & signing on for a job you love can negate each other, and having a job with a learning disability getting in the way can be a real slap in the face. In my neck of the woods, we have a resource we can go to later to help with job training, so we’re hoping to make getting a career easier without it being so challenging.
Same, I applied to several jobs and those interviews I got rejected... But I wanted to do a social experiment... I wanted to apply for a job but this time not tell my employer I had autism, and after the interview, I was shocked... I got the accepted but I rejected the offer... Because I couldn't believe that this is how society treats people like me... Then later I learned that 80% of autistic people were unemployed... That's around 127,000,000... i realized that I wasn't the only one facing this issue,
Preach! I haven't been able to keep a job for more than a year since leaving the military. I've been bullied at so many tech jobs that I just finally gave up working in an office setting
I loved this video. My 3 year old son is on the spectrum and this gives me hope for my baby boy. I just want him to have a normal/fun childhood like I did. And live the rest of his life independently. 😩❤️
AJ Drexel Autism Institute represent. That's why I there, Drexel has a lot of resources for people on the spectrum and in fact is one of the few colleges in the country that actively support autistic people. The main issue is the very high cost of attendance for most people due to it being a private institution. The CO-OP program there acts as a pipeline for people to make it into the work force with a year and a half of experience at most (6 months at the least) across three different companies at most.
My wife and I are both on the spectrum. I am very proud to be a new hire at EY's Neurodiversity Center of Excellence after 35 years of rejection by other employers who never understood my unique combination of skills and challenges, despite having earned an MBA degree in 2007. My wife, on the other hand, is about to retire after a long and successful career as a Librarian here in Florida. We are moving to Nashville in June where I look forward to meeting all of my colleagues at the Nashville NCoE in person, as well as to connecting with everyone at the Frist Center at Vanderbilt.
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Please remember that it’s not just data and tech fields that people on the spectrum can make a difference. My daughter is on the spectrum - she writes stories and songs, paints and is wonderful with animals. She has an encyclopedic knowledge of animal and plant facts. There needs to be room and recognition in many areas for people on the spectrum to be able to contribute.
Yes it’s an awful stereotype that autism is a “male” and obvious disorder, actually females on the spectrum have been historically under-diagnosed unless it is on the low functioning end, and when it does show up in us females, it often presents as social science, music, arts, creative writing etc. not everyone with autism is a little boy with trains in the corner ignoring everyone
Exactly and for people with those artistic or more specialized or idiosyncratic scientific skills, the job market is even more significantly against them because the funding for them continues to dry up so there's so much more competition. In biology and environmental fields especially, there are too many unpaid internships, underpaid research assistants, and volunteering positions with which people cannot sustain a living. I've heard from so many ecologists and biologists that there's vital yet unsexy work of monitoring and counting species that is so well-suited to autistic nature-lovers but doesn't get done because it's relegated to volunteers who often don't have enough time or money to do it thoroughly. And that's just one example, there are so many other fields that need detail-oriented, autism-friendly work done but is left unfilled because our society doesn't want to fund it. Never mind government, not even many private philanthropists are interested in funding arts and the humanities anymore.
Most definitely!
True. Those on the creative side are so so talented. Look at the greatest music composers and artists too....many are on the spectrum.
My son is autistic and I have to say thanks 😊 for the people give opportunities for us!
get him into Blockchain now!
you know, people often care about children with disabilities, but when we become adults, we're forgotten. It's harder to find resources, to be hired, to take care of ourselves, to make new friends. However, those of us on the spectrum, I've come to realize, are generally more empathetic, detail-oriented, and funny (yes, funny). sometimes, all we need is a chance.
I agree. I'm living proof of that. But growing up adults didn't take me seriously or listen to my questions. They would've accused me of trying to argue when I was just trying to understand.
Willis Jackson me too! I didn’t know anyone else struggled with that
@@offplanet740 Sometimes I would look things up in a dictionary and I will find out that the words have been used out of context or a slang instead of the actual meaning. I have always been very literal and I try to say what I mean and I will try to get my words heard because if I don't I feel like the person that I am talking to won't understand me or they'll think that I'm lying or something else. Trying to communicate sometimes seems very difficult because the English language has too many ways to say the same thing and if someone doesn't understand one way then they can misinterpret what you are trying to say.
@@willisjackson7029 7
Stop whining.
My daughter is on the spectrum. There are moments when I wonder what kind of life she will lead and if she will be happy. Your story gives hope and encouragement. Thank you for the story, and best wishes to the adults in your story on the spectrum.
We think my 3 yr is on the spectrum. Thank you for this story. I was so worried until you shine this amazing light.
@@bernardgrant3349 Hello! I checked out your website and it has some great videos and resources. Thank you for sharing! And I wish you well in your writing and activism. 😊👍
Bernard Grant.... doesn’t matter who old your kid gets they are still your child you bonehead.
My son is autistic I also wonder and worry what kind of life he'll have after me and his dad are no longer here
@@bernardgrant3349 thank you
Such an inspiring video! My sister is autistic and it is very comforting that people are starting to recognize the untapped potential of people with autism. Thank you for sharing these stories 😀
I can relate to them because I am diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome and there is a lot of discrimination towards people with disabilities. I have a hard time keeping a job because they say that I'm too slow.
Does not a reason that you stop your job sir,pls be.Egnore that people who down you,pls be manage your self as a the same on to other people like normal...God bleess..
As someone in the austistic spectrum, I appreciate a lot this kind of initiatives. It is important to show companies that this is not just the "right" and "nice" response, but is the INTELLIGENT action to make from the business point of view, since autistic employees bring exceptional value to the companies! Ernst & Young was my first job, whitout even knowing I was autistic!
Tears welled up watching this. So proud of them all.....can’t wait to rewatch with my family
Tears were welling up for me too just as I read your message! What an amazing and inspiring story for all parents of autistic children/adults.
@@maryj5245 Thank you for your empathy tours our kids. Tears been rolling down my eyes all my life as my daughter got older and thinking it gets harder as they grow up.
This is one of the top fifty BEST programmings of 60 Minutes over the last 20 years that I have watched 60 minutes. This genuinely put tears in my eyes; please, whoever is reading this comment, hire people like autism or any disability. If I had my company, I would make this video a must-watch for HR. Thank You, 60 Minutes, and Anderson Cooper!🙏🏻
All the recruiters who denied giving jobs to these people are preventing society from progressing.
Two words-untapped potential
Ye
@@vivianjones9749 double ye
I love this story a whole lot.
got me teary and everything
Ditto! My twin brother is autistic.
You must be from California.
How old are they now miss clare fuchs?
I have very severe A.D.D. and have total respect for those people because they are doing much better then me in life.
This accurately described my experience in the work environment. It's been a blessing and a curse.
This video provides a bit of hope on an issue that has plagued me for over a decade. I have always worried about what will become of my 12 yr old once she is too old for school and I am not sure an employer would work with her communication issues...this brought happy tears to my eyes
I wish her well in the future. But from my experiences with the work place and the world around me humanity has a long way to go. There is still way too much discrimination towards people with disabilities. I understand it because of having Asperger's syndrome and I have struggled to keep my jobs in the past. I've only had one year that I made over 10k and I lost that job because of a supervisor who lied about me cussing at him and I don't cuss.
As an Autistic adult woman, I’d really encourage your daughter to find and harness her strengths and interests, get her involved in activities and volunteering soon or in her teen years.
Temple Grandin has some longer lectures on TH-cam explaining how parents get so focused on the Autism that they forget that kids are kids and want to do the same thing other kids do. Being able to come from a place of strength and passion in interests will help your daughter in the years to come!
@@rachel_sj yes, I have always tried to encourage my daughter to explore her strengths. She currently is very into making art, stop-motion videos and music videos. I try to get her software to help her with her editing, but honestly I have no idea about which of those kind of programs would work best for her. So I will most likely have to take a class or 2 so I can help her learn to use them. She is already much more advanced than I am in those things and seeing the videos she puts together are so great. She has lots of potential
Why would she work for an employer? All they do is exploit people, let alone autistic people. I have horror stories. Push her to work for herself, with supports of course like occupational therapist etc
I'm on the spectrum and have been unemployed for the past 3 years.
Here in Germany it is impossible to find work if you're on the spectrum.
I was fired from my last job as a software developer because "I didn't fit into the team".
I have received hundreds of rejection letters thus far. I stopped counting them because they depressed me.
The tech industry is toxic. I will never fit into the culture
So sad...But you still pray the lord you fine a job soon,
What programming languages are you proficient in? I'm on the spectrum with some very highly developed social skills as a result of mimicking very charismatic people in my family but also have high technical aptitude.
I know this is an old comment, but I am likely on the autistic spectrum as well and from Germany and after years and years of problems in finding a job I have found a job that I like and that works for me (even though it doesn't pay well). I'm a freelance English online tutor in one-on-one lessons.
Freelancing avoids my PDA and gives me a feeling of control, as I can potentially reject any offer that I get.
The fact that the tutoring is one-on-one means that I don't get overwhelmed by sounds etc.
The fact that it's online means that I don't ever have to go outside, drive or go on public transport, I can just work from home, therefore I avoid sensory overload.
The fact that I like teaching and that I know English well means that I am quite good at my job.
Also, I don't have to have many phone calls or lose time with chitchat or small talk and I can still do smalltalk because it's embedded in the job.
My autistic attention to detail is also helpful because I can easily spot mistakes that even the children's teachers miss.
A lot of my students are probably on the spectrum as well, so we can get along when most others wouldn't be able to.
And lastly, my job is valued, useful and I work in a field where most of my competitors are inexperienced, don't take the job seriously or only work in it for a few months during their studies, so I stand out for doing the job longer.
What an amazing father Mr. Friedman is!!!
Which translates into an amazing inspiration for other employers.
When in a job interview, communication is pretty much the only thing they can judge you on. I imagine, even with the potential for some incredibly skillful work, the issues people on the spectrum face with communication are such a huge barrier. It's especially unfortunate when high communication skills aren't even needed for the job, yet their applicable skills are totally overlooked.
Facts. Which has always been dumb to me. We need to use people strengths to help them succeed. Not put everyone on the same wavelength.
Can't people just say "chit chat"? This is not going well. Let's make it clear and simple. I swear, these Persian Jews who came to the United States with aspirations for high-class nonsense are not taking the heat for a country with massive heating issues.
@@tomgarcia-hd5qj what?
This was so encouraging to watch. So proud of the employees and the companies for opening their minds and giving everyone an equal chance to earn a living
Omg I love you dude! From a mom of two girls with autism. YOU ARE SO AWESOME. My kids are super smart and crazy problem solvers but their social skills are non-existent.
We have two adult sons with Autism, and they really are gifted. Any parent with Autistic children at home during the quarantine, know that we are praying for you.
praying for what?
@@Jemini4228 I'm guessing the inconvenience and burden that they think autistic people are.
My son is also amazing with dates. I can pick out just about any day in the last 4 years and he can tell me how the weather was, small details about stuff that happened that day (like “Oh that’s the day I couldn’t find my phone charger!” ) and also I can point to any day on the calendar within a 4-5 year span and he can tell me what day of the week it fell on...as well as what movies came out on that particular day. He’s such a wonderful boy, funny, engaging. I worry about his future though like after I’m gone...cry about it sometimes. : ((
Tell him to learn programming. Believe me, it will change his life. Very lucrative profession, especially with his kind of skills
That's a genius.haha
Have faith in this world. Your son will still find kindness after you are gone. I believe it is all our responsibility to care for these people as they age into adulthood. If you see someone struggling with a normal task, pay it forward and help them out. Even if it's just counting change at the register or just trying to tie their shoes. We can all take a few moments out of our day to help someone out.
One if the top5 best of all time for 60 minutes. A must watch for all HR personal. Thank you for bring this to us.
For me as a female I wasn't diagnosed till last year at 29 and I was put on high dosage of Add meds as a child so it's affected my entire life including my memory . I've won awards in stem, worked for Nasa aerospace yet I can't even get work outside of my internship with school. Alot of people don't want to think about how suicide rates are super high in us because there is no quality of life.
what i like is that these people seem rather humble and more like colleagues who don't need to show off or backstab others to get the promotion.
This has to be one of the best stories I’ve watched in a long time. Thank you to all of the employers who hire these amazing Men and Women who have so much to share.
So glad I saw this story!
My girlfriend has autism and works in the tech industry she's much smarter than i am im pretty good with tech but when she talks about it im lost in about .5 seconds. Autism is tough to deal with but if you have good support and people who love you you can't fail!
I have Asperger’s and I have so many hobbies and interests. I have knowledge in many areas from Electronics, computing to History. Life has been quite hard for me because I was ‘different’ to other kids when growing up. I was constantly bullied and had very few friends.. But since I graduated from university with a IT degree I had many IT jobs in the last 10 years. Out of 7-8 jobs I had during that time I never passed probation, I was Mis-treated and discriminated against. But now in the last 1 1/2 years I’ve been happy in the job I’m in now and my boss treats me right... unlike my previous bosses/jobs... I guess I’m lucky? But for how long?...
I can relate. I have Asperger's syndrome as well. The one good job that I got went out of business. I was building and repairing bicycles for an small independent shop owner. About two years ago I even did some bikes for the Special Olympics. The shop specialized in bicycles for the handicapped community. My boss loved my attention to detail. He often said what handicap when it came to the Asperger's syndrome because I would often catch things that he would miss when repairing bicycles.
Great to hear you are enjoying your new job! I am in IT as well and I can say that the brightest of the bunch always shine through. Don't ever feel that you are where you are due to luck. The way I see it is that you make your own luck! You make your own luck by working hard, over-delivering and being the best in your field. Keep on crushing it!
I'm glad your job appreciates you.. As I do 😎
I also have Asperger's & it's caused me MANY problems with work (all social, not with the work itself). I was without a job for 5 years. I have a decent job in technology logistics now, but I dread ever having to tell them about my Asperger's. I'm absolutely certain that they would not understand or be empathetic.
Stop whining.
I am so blown away by how their minds work! Seeing this and a training recently a fellow coworker told me about makes me think 'FINALLY!!! EVERYONE WILL SEE HOW AWESOME PEOPLE WITH AUTISM ARE!!!'
@@8Platinum8 I think the world of those who identify as autistic...i am the proud older sis to an adult autistic brother!
To me (an autistic adult), I don't see what you see. I see "aww look at the little 'high functionings' don't you feel bad for them? See how stereotypically autistic they are?" And the spectrum is not a line of more and less autistic. It's a sound board with sliders that represent different traits. The underemployment and unemployment stats need to be driven home, but, in a better way than this.
I wish I could get a job but I can’t leave my house. I’ve been like this for a decade. Jobs are important for everyone. Imagine an entire world telling you, “We don’t need you.” That’s how it feels to be an adult on the spectrum and wanting a job. It hurts.
Maybe you can find a job that you could also do from home.
PLEASE continue to post FULL SEGMENTS , 60 minutes.
PLEASE!!
I love it!! Everyone has a place in this world and can contribute to make it better. ♥️♥️
I wish that was true today. These fellows were saying they faced hundreds of rejections; and they touched on not being able to get passed those first interviews because of the superficial fitting in expectations.
And they are just the lucky ones who found a workplace that rather accentuate their talents over their social impressions.
False
Tears in my eyes as I watched this. My memory, attention to detail, never read a book but wrote a book.....wonder if I have something related to autism
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️As a parent of a young adult on the spectrum it is heartening to finally start hearing from others in our situation. Thank you Anderson for doing this piece and giving a national platform for this unique and wonderful young adult population. Autism is becoming a much more common diagnosis and after school almost all of have this feeling of “Now what?” It’s like they struggled through twelve or more years of very hard work only to wonder where and how to keep going; because every young person deserves to look forward to a rich and rewarding life. Regardless of where we find ourselves on a neuro-cognitive arc.
I’m an adult on the spectrum, but I’m not good with STEM like a lot of them are. I’m very artsy and I can notice small spelling and punctuation errors that might be in a written document. I can also do things that involve role play, interaction with people, organization by category, and learning and remembering facts (if the topic interests me enough). I also live to talk, and I would love to do something where I could use public speaking skills. What frustrates me is that you hear about so many autistics who are great in the STEM fields, that the jobs I’d like aren’t looking for people like me.
Have you considered doing podcasts? creating radio shows? writing stories for genres you are interested in? Maybe being a 'self-employed' creative might be the best route if you can master the art of story-telling and creating works that resonate with a common fan-base.
I am a single mom of two teens with autism. They are at opposing ends of the spectrum. As parents, we worry so much because we have seen their amazing talents and memory skills for so long and absolutely KNOW what an asset they would be to any company. This gives hope. Hope that others can see those talents as well! A very sincere Thank You to Andersen Cooper for bringing us this report! Would love to see more like it!
We need more employers like this guy, so people with difficulties can also land a job
Anderson, thank you for this story. Every human being has a purpose on earth.
We had to move our son, now 30, from Louisiana to Florida, to find supported housing, and transportation. He takes a bus to work, which is 10 minutes away...went from living in a semi rural area, to a more semi urban area. He has only worked at Goodwill and he has so much more talent than that. Working at a company that has other aspies would be so beneficial to all aspires, not only for a better work experience, but to make friends and possibly date. Aspies are scattered all across the country and most don't have a good job, friends, or the prospect of dating.
Very glad you did this, thank you. I’m not as far on the spectrum as many people, but I’m in the Aspergers range and hide it well from years of social conditioning and feeling bad. Related so much to some of these things and it’s so frustrating and I’m frequently disappointed with myself when I struggle with things that most people find easy or routine. But hey, there’s some benefits, like I can map new cities in my mind and know how to orient myself and navigate new places almost immediately. Thanks again, this was good to watch
Can you give some examples of the things you struggled with?
Watching this gives me hope for humanity.
This gives me hope for my son. ♥️
Bless him ☺
Keep up your hope and keep being his advocate. He will let you know when he’s ready to fight his own battles. I’m an Aspie mom.
This is so illuminating and I'm grateful to the people that participated in the interview.
We have 4-year old twin boys. One may be on the spectrum, but has not been diagnosed yet. I worry about how he will fit into society. Even at school he has a hard time socializing. This video is inspiring. Thanks! I really needed to see this.
Did u vaccinate? U kno the answer
Thanks Anderson Cooper & 60 minutes for bringing us this, Andrew Yang is a great humanitarian & knows balancing point 1st hand. For those of us who are or have autistic family members co-workers or friends, Treat all people with Patience, Kindness, Love & Understanding & the world of us can do nothing but everchange for the better of all.
I have mild Aspergers, I say this since the spectrum could range from some of the people who may be close to non verbal, to another end that tends to blend in a bit better.
I have a special interest in music, specifically composing for concert band/marching band. I could see how that would be a sense of designing with science and patterns, as well as a great way of expression from the art of sound. I’ve composed 3 original suites, a symphony, and I hope to make an opera that tells a story.
I also have a cool other interest with history and teaching. A parlor trick of mine is to be told a point and place in European/American history and I could explain what was going on with the terms and events , what caused those terms and events a bit before, and start teaching a course going forward from that.
Currently a community college student who has a desire to get a major in music and minor in history. I think it’s important to remind people on the spectrum that life doesn’t have to be so isolating. If people think Covid is hard, some in the spectrum go for years like this. Please respect people on the spectrum like me as well as others with awesome talents.
Great work, Anderson. This is an important piece. I'm 63. I was diagnosed autistic when I was 14. I'm happy to see this subject get this kind of attention. We, for the most part, are not disabled. We just think differently.
Fellow Autistic here; I’m 23 & I agree with the “we think differently” side of things. Our brains are wired differently, our sense of thinking & our ability to gain knowledge so much different. The Good Lord bless you, and I hope you continue to live a fantastic life.
Seems like every employer should test their applicant's problem solving abilities regardless of a person being on the autism spectrum or not.
I mean someone could be very savvy in social graces, but have very poor talents for the job...
malenotyalc and vise-versa!
That’s why most jobs look at this thing called a RESUME and it should either prove you have good problem solving capabilities or don’t and they ask questions related to your problem solving skills?
@@daggs1879 I am familiar. Geeze. You couldn't be more condescending. FYI. Dumb people can have someone do a resume for them... And social graced people can charm and entertain through questions. But a simple math test is right or wrong.
malenotyalc lol yes put standardized testing into jobs great idea 😂😂
That’s Office Space.
Wonderful! People are finally recognizing others uniqueness!
I wish with all my heart my son and all individuals with autism find their ideal and fulfilling profession and that more companies give them opportunities! Thank you, thank you ❤️
Thanks Anderson Cooper for this excellent report on an under-reported story.
Good Journalism Good Reporting. Thank You Anderson Cooper and 60 Minutes for reporting on this story. I have Aspergers Syndrome. I also want to work in Journalism. I also like the Autism programs that corporations like Ernst Young have created to assist people with Autism to have a career.
Great job. I am excited that someone else cares. Understanding is KEY! Thank u for sharing.
I'll be 23 this week. And have autism. I have to praise Eric. Receiving hundreds of rejections, yet continued applying. I've had so many rejections over the years I'm at a point where I honestly feel like giving up entirely. I'm also in a program that my state has that is supposed to help those of us on the spectrum find employment. They advertise "the average time between applying to the program and getting a job is 7 months." I first applied in March of 2018... Yes, that's correct. That "7 month average" has been 3 years and counting for me... And yes, I know that's the average. But my case must really be stretching that average out at this point.
Interesting and informative journalism. So tired of debates, politics and Corona. Thank you for the break
I smiled. So proud of all these wonderful, gifted, blessed, beautiful young people. Congratulations to all of you. Your perseverance paid off. Now, others on the spectrum will have a better chance of being employed. Always know that you have purpose in this life although it may take others a while to recognize it. 💖🤗🙏🏼🥰💝
I feel so sorry for all ppl that have never been able to communate. So much different kind of knowledge lost.
I have Asperger's syndrome and in middle school I had a class mate who had a speech impediment and no one could understand him but I was able to translate for him because I had taken the time to listen and get to know him.
It's so great to see people recognizing the value of special skills and talents that neuro-diverse/autistic people possess. It's heartening to hear that people are recognizing this untapped resource and the value of people on the spectrum. Tapping into these special and often above-average skills and putting them to good use is a win-win for everybody, for society as a whole and expands the diversity of our workforce. What a great piece. Thanks Anderson!
This was a great report, 60 minutes. Wonderful job! It left a smile on my face and I felt full of hope afterwards. Thank you for creating fascinating content!
What a fantastic story ❤ I'm so proud of these individuals!!! What an amazing gentleman/pioneer to give these amazing people a chance to succeed and shine with their unique gifts 🥰
Please provide a list of those 30 companies so we can actively search for optimal employment, as one on the spectrum. Thanks for the inspiration. Much ❤️
Great story. Very interesting and inspirational. Congratulations to them for landing awesome jobs.
I wish that it was that easy for me and others on the spectrum. I've been on the spectrum my whole life and I haven't been accepted for my abilities. And I believe that there's lots more that are struggling to be accepted in the work place as well.
It feels great that people on the spectrum have a voice and can showcase their talents. I have Autism myself and God has bless me with the gift of playing the djembe and also to be an drum instructor
This is so awesome. Gives me hope as a mom
Thank You Happy Birthday to my Son Zyler. His got autism. He gives us happiness everyday.
If i own business or company i would like to hire these kind of people. They fun to talk with. They smart. Their knowledge same as computer.
No you wont You would take advantage of them
The people featured here are impressive and far more productive than many Americans today. We all need to become more familiar and accepting of our society's neurodiversity.
Wow! Such a fascinating and informative episode. Thank you, a good and hopeful story in these dark and troubled days.
Very Proud of them! & Very Humbling..
My diagnosis came at age 42 yrs from adult genetic unit which is part of Kings College Hospital London...
I never settled, often could not communicate with peers or colleagues.
I’m now non-verbal... my voice doesn’t work properly. My needs cannot be accommodated according to employers.
Legally my gullibility has failed me... as my first husband abused me and kidnapped my children. Then had me deported from my only home as an adult.
The people featured in this piece are so impressive and so inspiring! We need to keep trying to be as open as we can to people who might be different than us. They may have many things to offer and enrich all of our lives in ways we might not have imagined.
I love this segment! Thanks for posting it.
Human resource people have problems getting to a functional autistic's potential skills? They don't do so hot picking an honest employee who doesn't have talents of a functional autistic, but still has talents that can benefit the company.
This was a great show thank you for supporting our community!
Amazing stories! Needed something good after the past week of news
Thanks for sharing. I work with HS students with disabilities for pre-employment transition services, so I teach a lot on career readiness skills. Autism, like the story mentions, varies so much from person to person. I'm glad to see some employers adjusting to make job opportunities more open and accessible for individuals with Autism.
In my experience, having companies willing to work with an individual and provide reasonable accommodations, as well as students/families accessing and using state Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) resources [varies from state to state] are essential for the long term job success of an individual with a disability, at least at first.
Thanks again for sharing!
Great piece, it's so wonderful to hear that industries are realizing people that are different still hold great value
Disabled isn't a swear word, you know.
specialization comes in many ways. I cannot wait to see the ideas that comes out of this.
For once the algorithm gave a suggestion that made me smile :)
It's more unusual that this is a new concept in any way.
I am very impressed with the people who are wise enough to take a look at what autistic people have to offer in the work place. Autistic folks are not only creative and talented but are extremely determined, very loyal, and very honest and trustworthy people. I hope and pray that more employers will be inspired by these companies to follow their lead in hiring autistic workers. Thanks Anderson, great story!
Thank you for this report. It has heart, hope, compassion, and was truly interesting.
These are beautiful people who deserve the world
I'm happy to see a segment like this one. More please 💁
This is so good to hear!
Makes me feel really good to see this
I have Autism myself, and honestly, this speaks to me on a personal level. Having Autism & signing on for a job you love can negate each other, and having a job with a learning disability getting in the way can be a real slap in the face. In my neck of the woods, we have a resource we can go to later to help with job training, so we’re hoping to make getting a career easier without it being so challenging.
There are a lot of strengths to being on the spectrum! ❤️
Holy crap he remembers the date of his first paycheck, that's amazing. I can't even remember what I ate for lunch yesterday
I’ve been denied jobs and Isolated forced out of jobs because I’m not a “culture fit” basically it means “you’re not cool enough to work here”
culture fit. i feel that
Same, I applied to several jobs and those interviews I got rejected... But I wanted to do a social experiment... I wanted to apply for a job but this time not tell my employer I had autism, and after the interview, I was shocked... I got the accepted but I rejected the offer... Because I couldn't believe that this is how society treats people like me... Then later I learned that 80% of autistic people were unemployed... That's around 127,000,000... i realized that I wasn't the only one facing this issue,
You do seem slow.
Preach! I haven't been able to keep a job for more than a year since leaving the military. I've been bullied at so many tech jobs that I just finally gave up working in an office setting
@@loafandjug321 stop bullying people
How wonderful.
I loved this video. My 3 year old son is on the spectrum and this gives me hope for my baby boy. I just want him to have a normal/fun childhood like I did. And live the rest of his life independently. 😩❤️
I’m so inspired by all of the people featured in this story.
A much-needed feelgood piece for an otherwise horrific year. 😄
AJ Drexel Autism Institute represent. That's why I there, Drexel has a lot of resources for people on the spectrum and in fact is one of the few colleges in the country that actively support autistic people. The main issue is the very high cost of attendance for most people due to it being a private institution. The CO-OP program there acts as a pipeline for people to make it into the work force with a year and a half of experience at most (6 months at the least) across three different companies at most.
I love this interview and the story 😀
My wife and I are both on the spectrum. I am very proud to be a new hire at EY's Neurodiversity Center of Excellence after 35 years of rejection by other employers who never understood my unique combination of skills and challenges, despite having earned an MBA degree in 2007. My wife, on the other hand, is about to retire after a long and successful career as a Librarian here in Florida. We are moving to Nashville in June where I look forward to meeting all of my colleagues at the Nashville NCoE in person, as well as to connecting with everyone at the Frist Center at Vanderbilt.
Good to see some good journalism, not everything is gutter.
Thank you.
This is just wonderful to see , such talented people
So informative
This was very enlightening and inspiring