Dr. Praveen Tiwari
People often think that being ‘differently abled is a person who has an impairment that generates functional limitations, restrictions in activities or has social handicap’, and this is the preconceived notion that the society is living with. In this world of abled people, they think the place for specially abled is a mental asylum, but one will be shocked to know that these people are more creative than us, who are so-called ‘normal’.
This week we have brought you a special research which talks about the special powers of ADHD and Autistic Adults. Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in which it’s hard for a person to concentrate and gets easily distracted. An adult who is suffering from Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) finds difficulty interpreting what others are thinking or feeling. Surprisingly characteristics which seems a trouble during the childhood of an ADHD or Autistic adult, may actually contribute to their future success.
Namita Singh, Mentor to Autistic Adult in various companies sharing her experience with these differently abled.
ADHD WITH CREATIVE MIND
Surprisingly there are plentiful jobs for people with ADHD. People with these disorders possess some very valuable traits. In fact, they probably have natural talents and personality characteristics that many employers actively want in potential new hires.
Humanity’s greatest achievements have been the direct result of contributions by people who didn’t fit the prevailing idea of “normal.” Its people considered as ‘Different’ or ‘Special’ and because of their differences move society forward. More and more of today’s employers are accepting the truth of this statement. They need actually these special talents.
“These adults are not bored of repetition and that’s why far more efficient than other employees around. Some adults have behavioral issues but those are some extreme cases but even these adults have very creative and innovative minds.” –Namita Singh
TROUBLE FOR CREATIVITY
Creative ideas are often viewed as bizarre, useless or stupid, and are conclusively rejected and the person who proposed it considered as disregard. ‘Creative ideas are both novel and valuable.’ Why, then, are they rejected? Because creative innovator defies the crowd and its interests. The crowd does not maliciously or willfully reject creative notions, but rather they don’t want to accept the fact that it represents the superior way of thinking and consider it annoying and offensive which are enough reasons to reject the idea.
“Society and especially the employer should look for such creative minds, which many of the World’s most famous and successful people have already discovered.” –Namita Singh
BLESSING IN DISGUISE
ADHD for helping to give them powerful traits like
- Creativity and imagination,
- Greater flexibility,
- Compassion,
- Problem-solving abilities,
- Talents for multitasking,
- Greater adaptability
- Higher energy to fulfill the tedious tasks.
These abilities may be more or less and different for different people but these are the common traits which make ADHD adults more efficient then other people.
EMBRACING DIVERGENT THINKING
A study published in The Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders found a strong link between autism and creativity. Apparently, people with more autistic traits, when asked to name as many uses as they can for a common object such as a paper clip, come up with fewer suggestions, but the suggestions they offer are more unusual than those of their neurotypical counterparts.
“They exhibit more divergent thinking. Because most people associate autism with rigid thinking, restricted interests, and a literal interpretation of speech and behavior. How could a person with these traits possibly be creative? To get the right answer we must have a right and new approach to measure creativity.” –Namita Singh
THROUGH EMPLOYERS’ EYES
Fifty-nine employers employing adults with ASD in open employment were asked to complete an online survey comparing employees with and without ASD on the basis of job similarity.
The findings suggest that employing an adult with ASD provides benefits to employers and their organizations without incurring additional costs. That’s the reason why many employers especially in the IT field and in many creative fields are hiring Adults with ADHD and Autism.
“You get a real gem and innovative thinker among these adults. In Australia, subsidies are widely available for employers employing individuals with a disability, including ASD. In India the government should take such initiatives to encourage using such creative minds for new innovations and startups.” –Namita Singh
AWARENESS IS MUST
“Autism is a lifelong disorder. As much attention is being paid to increasing autism rates in children, the number of adults on the autism spectrum is rising quickly and the nation is not prepared for the special challenges that come with this segment of the population.” –Namita Singh
One of the areas of desperate need is employment. According to some estimates, the unemployment rate for adults on the spectrum is very high. The problem is that many employers don’t see the upside in hiring individuals who can be considered rigid and moody with poor communication skills.
Social awareness is also required for the encouragement of these innovative and creative minds, but these specially gifted people are more socially trained to do things even better than we educated and socially accepted people.
“Believe you can and you’re halfway there,
In spite of your abilities or disabilities.”