Matching Keen Eye for Detail and Routine to Jobs in Technology Sector

As our International Conference nears (May 4-7 in NYC), it makes us proud to see former keynote speakers have such an impact. Thorkil Sonne of Specialisterne is just one example.

Although he enjoyed his first job in software development when he left university in the late 1970s, Thomas Madar found difficulty in fitting in. Like many people on the autistic spectrum, the now 58-year-old had problems in the working world and was dismissed as a poor communicator.

Thomas Madar

Over the coming years, he went from courses in third-level education to jobs and back again, but sometimes struggled in interviews where, by his own admission, he would not sell himself as someone who was likable and who fitted into teams.

When he got his current position as a software tester at Ernst & Young last year, he says his social skills had improved over the years. Also at hand was Specialisterne (Danish for the Specialists), a company which strives to match up people with autism to jobs where characteristics such as attention to detail and a an adherence to structure act as a competitive advantage.

Autism at Work

Bravo SAP and Thorkil Sonne who recognizes the skills of individuals with autism and their talents and puts them to work. We were proud to have him as a keynote speaker at our recent 2014 International Conference.

For much of his adult life, 28-year-old Patrick Viesti has worked to keep the signs of Asperger's syndrome at bay, but even after a successful college career, finding a job was not easy."To truly be honest, I would have to say it was quite difficult," Viesti said.Viesti said he had come off stiff or monotone during the interview process, reports CBS News correspondent Michelle Miller. However, his luck changed thanks to the software company he now works for. SAP recruited him and a number of other new hires this year because of their autism.

Discovering Untapped Brain Power

A decade ago, Thorkil Sonne, a telecommunications executive living in Ringsted, Denmark, was terrified about what the future might hold for his seven year-old autistic son, Lars. But rather than give in to despair,

Employees Oran Weitzberg, left, and
 Rick Alexander test a new program.

the middle-aged father started a company Specialisterne (Specialists in Danish), which helps high-functioning adults with autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs) find employment. Today business is booming. Sonne oversees branches in a half-dozen European countries, including Germany, England, and Spain and is funneling workers to such IT giants as SAP. Now he is even moving to Delaware to establish a foothold in America.