I don’t think we are quite here yet, but I would like to get to a place in society where autistic job candidates can call out their autism and specific autistic traits in a job interview because companies and corporations see the immense benefits that can come with hiring autistic.

I know this stance might be controversial, and I am not advocating that it is for everyone. I’m also a huge proponent of medical privacy. However, from my limited position as a mother of an awesome autistic daughter, a teacher of highly talented autistic students, and a best friend of an autistic professional, I wish the diagnosis could be seen with more open-mindedness. 

Autism comes with challenges. It’s hard. I see that. I feel that. And for this reason I still feel it is fair to call it a disability because for so many people it is just that. 

But within that disability there are often tremendous abilities. And why shouldn’t one celebrate their traits to match with a suitable career? 

So in a world where everyone is afraid of HIPAA violations, I hope that one day my daughter can be sitting in a job interview and proudly say, “You should hire me because I’m autistic, and for me that means that I am incredibly laser focused on certain tasks. I can investigate things to the bitter end. I have a quick wit and can speed read and maintain information to solve any problem.”  Because if I was on the other side of the table, I’d only have two words for her: You’re hired!