Re:Dispelling myths about the autistic programmer
by bjourne on Sunday July 10, 2016 @05:16PM
(#12067304)
Would you rather have an average programmer or one that does twice as much productive work every day but is only in the office half as many hours per day, given that they are both paid equally?
I have asked this question to people responsible for hiring and not one have answered that they would prefer the programmer doing double the amount of work. The "inconvenience" to the rest of the team that a peer is only working half as many hours is costlier than the benefit of doubled work. My conclusion: Fitting in >> Output. Maybe it is different in Silicon Valley. I don't know. :)
Also, your joke is an oxymoron. If someone is socially well adjusted then they will fit in. One key characteristic of Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is that it is hard for them to fit in and they may not even want to. You write "we prefer a bit of spergy" which probably means that your workplace has preferences for how employees should behave. Which means that there is something in your workplace to fit into which means trouble for employees with ASD.
Given a person that does absolutely nothing but working. Like not communicating unless it is work related and necessary, not partaking in joking, not going to lunches, not talking, not chit-chatting... Would that person "fit in"?
I have asked this question to people responsible for hiring and not one have answered that they would prefer the programmer doing double the amount of work. The "inconvenience" to the rest of the team that a peer is only working half as many hours is costlier than the benefit of doubled work. My conclusion: Fitting in >> Output. Maybe it is different in Silicon Valley. I don't know. :)
Also, your joke is an oxymoron. If someone is socially well adjusted then they will fit in. One key characteristic of Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is that it is hard for them to fit in and they may not even want to. You write "we prefer a bit of spergy" which probably means that your workplace has preferences for how employees should behave. Which means that there is something in your workplace to fit into which means trouble for employees with ASD.
Given a person that does absolutely nothing but working. Like not communicating unless it is work related and necessary, not partaking in joking, not going to lunches, not talking, not chit-chatting... Would that person "fit in"?