The Danish Beermakers Brewing Up Work for Autistic People | Hacker News Reader

The Danish Beermakers Brewing Up Work for Autistic People

theguardian.com

63 pointsbootload20 comments

Way back when I interviewed a two or three hundred people for software/web dev positions, in hiring meetings I was always saying, "We're not hiring them to do interviews, we're hiring them to write software." It really, really, really doesn't matter if people are nervous or weird or whatever during a job interview. OK sure "culture fit" is great if you want to work with a bunch of bros that can chill together but good lord what a world if only chill bros are allowed to have jobs.

While I agree with the general sentiment of your comment, it comes across as saying that only coding ability matters. (You might not have intended it to come across that way, but it can easily be interpreted as such.) Going on that interpretation... surely part of hiring them to write software generally (but perhaps not necessarily always) includes things like ability to effectively work, and communicate, with others.

That's part of good coding ability: Being able to understand the requirements and implement them

Again, being good at interviews doesn't correlate with being good at programming. It doesn't even correlate well with people skills. There are plenty of people with great social skills in general that are bad at interviews. Interviews are mostly terrible and weird.

Add a question: "How do you make sure you're working on the correct thing?"

"Culture fit" is definitely a euphemism these days, but the opposite isn't "can you write code?"

The missing piece is communication and conflict resolution skills. It's crucial for team effectiveness, but it's hard to measure in the interview process. You can be high strung, you can be a chill bro, you can be generally apathetic, but you have to be able to communicate and resolve conflicts effectively.

Thankfully, it can be taught.

Don't know why this was downvoted. First it's true. Secondly, my daughter was diagnosed as autistic at age three. We spent much of our savings for ABA therapy and were able to get her mainstreamed at age 8, but even two years later I have trouble communicating with her at times. Might be because she's a ten year old, but her quirks don't help.

When she reaches the job market she needs to be able to work in teams. Fortunately she did make honor role and her classmates apparently love her, so whatever we are doing is working. But I expect we will need to do more, and as munch bunny said, these things can be taught. My daughter is proof of that.

I see where you're coming from, but I think some degree of cultural fit matters. Not in the 'best friends with same hobbies outside work' sense, but in getting along and helping each other.

The first company I worked for didn't have that. It was certainly 'diverse' in some sense, but it ended up with different factions that never spoke to each other or worked together. Despite doing the same work on the same projects.

I'm glad that this is coming to the forefront of our collective consciousness, and that people are working to solve what is a very real problem, and of their own accord.

Another (stellar) example that I've recently been introduced to is Bitty & Beau's Coffee, in Wilmington, NC.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wrzz-sibpv0

https://www.bittyandbeauscoffee.com/

Similar business model to ULTRA Testing, a QA firm in NY that I regularly engage: http://www.ultratesting.us/

There's a lot of talent out there that's often overlooked, good to see companies starting to recognize this and help create opportunities.

Similarly, Specialists Guild (social enterprise): http://specialistsguild.org/

Also similarly, there are the Skilcraft products (most famously pens) for the US government.

[0]: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04...

[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skilcraft

Interesting, but I was surprised to see not a word about what they specifically do differently to work with autistic employees.

The Danish discount retailer Fakta, also does this. They have a sign by the entrench to my local store that mentions the particular store will be one of them (no time horizon though).

It seems to work well in the stores that have tried it so far, but I cannot imagine how that will work with less than nice customers.

I met a guy today here in Shenzhen who is starting a factory in Western Australia and specifically seeking autistic employees.

Given that beer industry funds campaigns against cannabis legalization and that cannabis is beneficial for people with Autism I would call any efforts like that sinister.

Cannabis can also induce paranoia and disordered thinking, as you appear to be demonstrating.

And beer causes death if you partake too much

Same with water. Your point?

Really, a small danish startup "funds campaigns against cannabis legalization" (presumably those in the US?)?

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