THE MATTER OF MIND
COMPILATION AND COMMENTARY
BY LUCY WARNER
SEPTEMBER 2, 2018


CERTAIN BUSINESSES ARE SPECIFICALLY SEEKING AUTISTIC PEOPLE TO WORK FOR THEM. WHY, YOU MIGHT ASK? FOR AN ENLIGHTENING AND ENTERTAINING LOOK AT AUTISTIC PEOPLE, WATCH THE MOVIE “RAINMAN.” TO GO BEYOND THAT INTO OTHERS WITH KNOWN MENTAL/EMOTIONAL DISORDERS, I SUGGEST YOU WATCH THE MOVIES “CHARLIE,” “FORREST GUMP,” “I NEVER PROMISED YOU A ROSE GARDEN,” “ONE FLEW OVER THE “CUCKOO’S NEST,” “THE GLASS MENAGERIE,” “SALOME.” THERE ARE ALSO DOZENS OF OTHERS WHOSE WORKS I EITHER HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED, OR I CAN’T BRING THEM TO MIND RIGHT NOW. THOSE LISTED ABOVE HAVE BEEN OF GREAT HEALING AND INSIGHT TO ME.

THERE IS A LINK BETWEEN MENTAL/EMOTIONAL PAIN AND CREATIVITY THAT IS WELL-RECOGNIZED NOW, AS WELL AS EVIDENCE OF AT LEAST ONE GENETIC “ABNORMALITY.” REMEMBER THAT IN MENTAL DIFFERENCES, “DISORDERS” ARE NOT EQUALLY DAMAGING TO THE INDIVIDUAL OR DANGEROUS TO SOCIETY FROM TYPE TO TYPE, NOR FROM CASE TO CASE.

IF WE COULD JUST BRING OURSELVES TO APPRECIATE SUCH PEOPLE RATHER THAN TRYING DESPERATELY TO KILL THAT CREATIVITY, INDEPENDENCE, OR HIDE THAT SO VERY EMBARRASSING “SYMPTOM,” HAND FLAPPING FOR INSTANCE, THE WORLD WOULD BE HUGELY IMPROVED. WE DO NEED TO INTERVENE, BUT IN A WAY THAT HELPS RATHER THAN EXACERBATING THE PROBLEM. WHEN A CHILD KNOWS, AS THEY USUALLY DO, THAT THEY ARE NOT PRIZED AND WARMLY LOVED, WHATEVER THEIR PHYSICALLY CAUSED PATTERNS ARE WILL BE WORSE. I’M OF THE OPINION THAT A GREAT DEAL OF WHAT SEEMS TO AIL THE CHILD, IS CAUSED BY SOCIAL FACTORS SUCH AS THE ENVIRONMENT AND FAMILY LIFE. ALMOST ALWAYS PARENTS WILL BE IN MORE OR LESS SERIOUS CONFLICT WITH A CHILD WHO DOES HAVE EMOTIONAL OR MENTAL PROBLEMS, AND EVEN MORE SO WILL THE SIBLINGS BE. ADD INTO THAT THE ALMOST INEVITABLE JEALOUSY FACTOR. WHERE THERE SHOULD BE LOVE, THERE MAY BE SMOLDERING HATRED INSTEAD. WE WERE ALL FINE UNTIL YOU CAME HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL!

PARENTS WHO PHYSICALLY PUNISH, INTIMIDATE OR SHAME THEIR CHILDREN, ESPECIALLY OVER THINGS THAT ARE ACTUALLY A DISABILITY OR A SIMPLE AND NATURAL VARIABILITY, ARE NUDGING THEM CLOSER TO THE CLIFF’S EDGE. OF COURSE, IF YOU TELL SUCH PARENTS THAT THEIR BEHAVIOR IS PART OF THEIR CHILD’S “PROBLEM,” THEY MAY BE HIGHLY INSULTED. SOME MONTHS BEFORE THE DAUGHTER OF A FRIEND OF MINE COMMITTED SUICIDE, THE PSYCHIATRIST WARNED HER AND HER HUSBAND THAT SUCH COULD BE THE RESULT, AND INFORMED THEM THAT THE FAMILY WAS IMPACTING HER IN A VERY DAMAGING WAY, SHE WAS INSULTED. NEEDLESS TO SAY, WHEN THAT HAPPENS, THE YOUNG PERSON WILL NOT RECEIVE HELP AND MAY BE HURT WORSE INSTEAD.

I DO TEND TO THINK THAT, AS A SOCIETY IN GENERAL, ON THE SUBJECT OF SOCIAL ISSUES WE ARE REALLY VERY MUCH IMPROVED AS COMPARED TO THE 1950S WHEN I GREW UP; BUT WHEN WE RUN UP AGAINST A WALL OF THE EMOTIONAL DISORDERS OF THE “NORMAL” PARENTS, WE NEED TO APPLY SOME SPECIAL EMOTIONAL EDUCATION. THERE IS FAMILY THERAPY, FOR INSTANCE, AND FAMILY SUPPORT GROUPS SET UP SIMILARLY TO A.A. I HAVE FAITH IN CERTAIN OTHER THINGS THAT HILLARY CLINTON WOULD INCLUDE UNDER THE HEADING OF “THE VILLAGE,” SUCH AS 4-H CLUB FOR RURAL KIDS, GIRL OR BOY SCOUTS, OR RELIGIOUSLY ORIENTED GROUPS OF A SIMILAR SORT. KIDS NEED ASSOCIATION WITH ADULTS AND PEERS OTHER THAN THEIR FAMILY OF ORIGIN. IT GIVES THEM FRESH NEW INPUT AND HEALS THE WOUNDS THAT ARE RELATED TO THEIR HOME ENVIRONMENT.

SOME CHURCHES, SYNAGOGUES, MOSQUES, MEDITATION CENTERS, ETC. PROVIDE WHAT IS NEEDED, SUPERVISED AND MENTORED YOUTH PEER GROUPS, GROUP OR INDIVIDUAL THERAPY USUALLY HELPS, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO THE LARGER COMMUNITY, WE MAY FIND OURSELVES UP AGAINST THE WALL OF INSTINCT OVER COMPASSION. DOGS CHASE CATS, CATS CHASE ALL KINDS OF LOVELY LITTLE CREATURES, AND HUMANS CHASE WHOMEVER THEY SEE AS A VICTIM. THAT’S HOW ANIMALS GET FOOD TO EAT, BUT WHEN IT IS SIMPLY MINDLESS AND HEARTLESS, WE REALLY CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT. WE ARE AFTER ALL HALF ANIMAL AND HALF DIVINE. OUR DIVINE PART NEEDS TO TRY HARDER, PERHAPS.

THE AVERAGE, OR NORMAL, PERSON IS TOO LIKELY TO BE MORE OR LESS DISINTERESTED IN THE ISSUE OF WHAT SOMEBODY ELSE HAS TO GO THROUGH AS LONG AS THEY PERSONALLY AREN’T INCONVENIENCED OR MADE TO FEEL PAIN; AND LET’S FACE IT, EMPATHIZING WITH SOMEONE WHO NEEDS HELP CAUSES PAIN. THAT PAIN IS USUALLY THE STIMULUS CAUSING US TO HAVE A DESIRE TO HELP THOSE WHO NEED IT; BUT SOMETIMES IT CAUSES INSTINCTUAL HATRED INSTEAD, TOWARD THE MENTALLY OR PHYSICALLY UNUSUAL, DIFFERENCES OF RACE, RELIGION, AND EQUALLY IMPORTANT, THE INABILITY TO FIGHT BACK EFFECTIVELY. I RELATE THE FEAR OF TOO MUCH VARIANCE TO FOLK BELIEFS SUCH AS TROLLS, WEREWOLVES, WITCHES, AND OTHER OUTSIDERS WHO ARE CONSIDERED THREATENING -- “JEWS EAT BABIES,” ETC.

A PERSON WHO EXHIBITS PHYSICAL MANNERISMS SUCH AS THOSE OF AUTISM OR DOWN SYNDROME IS LIKELY TO AFFECT THE UNTRAINED OBSERVER ON AN INNER PSYCHOLOGICAL LEVEL, AS BEING UGLY, DISGUSTING, MAGICAL, DANGEROUS OR OTHERWISE AS UNDESIRABLE. SO, I KEEP SAYING THAT OUR TENDENCY TO ATTACK A WEAKER BEING IS AN INSTINCT; BUT WE NEED TO KEEP FIGHTING IT, BECAUSE IT IS SO HARMFUL. PROGRESS IS ALWAYS HELPFUL, AND SHOULD BE HONORED, ALONGSIDE “PERFECTION.”

DIRECTLY CONNECTED TO THAT IS THE CONCEPT OF “UGLINESS,” SUCH AS THE KID IN CLASS WHO HAS SIX FINGERS ON HIS HANDS. DOES IT HAPPEN? YES, AND IN THE 1500S, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A SIGN OF MALIGN MAGIC; SO, IT IS ALSO A CAUSE OF THE ABUSIVE BEHAVIOR EXPERIENCED BY A MORE VULNERABLE INDIVIDUAL. THIS HAPPENS TO ADULTS AS WELL AS CHILDREN. EUGENICS IS OFTEN CONCERNED WITH THAT SORT OF THING AND ANY MENTAL ABERRATION. A LACK OF BEAUTY IS ALSO TOO OFTEN VIEWED AS BEING UNACCEPTABLE, THOSE LARGE HOOKED NOSES, FOR INSTANCE. SOME OF THE THINGS I’VE SEEN WRITTEN ABOUT JEWS AS THEY ARE COMMONLY PORTRAYED AND ABOUT BLACK PEOPLE ARE HIDEOUS – MUCH MORE SO THAN THE TRUE PHYSICAL FEATURE. CRUELTY NEEDS TO BE NAMED FOR WHAT IT IS, AND NOT CALLED “TEASING.” IT IS HARASSMENT.

SUCH EMOTIONALLY “CONSERVATIVE” PEOPLE, THOUGH THEY DON’T LOOK LIKE WOLVES, ARE PREDATORS NONETHELESS. WE, AS INTELLIGENT AND KIND PEOPLE, CAN CHOOSE TO REFRAIN FROM THAT SELF-SATISFIED ATTITUDE AND FIGHT FOR A HIGHER GOODNESS THAN THE ABILITY TO WIN IN A SPORTS COMPETITION, TO GAIN WEALTH, OR TO COME OUT WITH THE CROWN IN A BEAUTY CONTEST. IF WE WOULD ENCOURAGE ARTISTIC AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING AT LEAST AS MUCH AS FOOTBALL, WE WOULD RAISE BETTER KIDS.

UNFORTUNATELY, IN THIS COUNTRY WE HAVE IDEALIZED COMPETITIVENESS INSTEAD OF COOPERATION AND MUTUAL RESPECT. IT ISN’T POSSIBLE TO WAVE A MAGIC WAND AND ELIMINATE THE CRUELTY COMPLETELY, BUT IF WE WOULD BY POSITIVE BUT PERSISTENT ATTENTION, MODEL KINDNESS, THERE WOULD BE A DIFFERENCE IN THIS COUNTRY. WE NEED TO SEE THAT VIEWPOINT AS A NEGATIVE TENDENCY, EXCEPT WHEN THERE IS A GENUINE NEED TO FIGHT. I PERSONALLY BELIEVE IN FIGHTING (HOPEFULLY VERBALLY) TO SAVE OURSELVES, THE UNDERPRIVILEGED, THE DISABLED, OR OTHERS WHO GENUINELY NEED A HAND, BUT NOT TO EXTERMINATE OTHERS OVER SOME SUPERFICIAL DIFFERENCE OR EVEN FOR A LAUGH. A TRULY CRUEL PERSON DOES IT BECAUSE THEY GET FUN OUT OF IT. A CHILD WHO DOES THAT SHOULD BE SENT FOR MENTAL HEALTH THERAPY BY A PROFESSIONAL BEFORE IT BECOMES THEIR LIFE PATTERN.

UNLESS CONFRONTED, PEOPLE OF THAT WOLFLIKE TYPE, VERY LIKELY WON’T EVEN CONSIDER CHANGING THEIR OWN ATTITUDES OF PRIVILEGE, COMPETITIVENESS AND UNQUESTIONED “SUPERIORITY.” SOME OF THEM WOULD HAPPILY BEDEVIL OR EVEN KILL THOSE WHO EITHER EMOTIONALLY OR PHYSICALLY CAN’T FIGHT BACK, ESPECIALLY IF THEY ARE OUTNUMBERED AND BLAMED FOR THE SOCIETY’S PROBLEMS. THAT’S HOW SCAPEGOATS ARE CHOSEN. AS MY SECOND HUSBAND SAID, “THERE ARE ONLY THE WINNERS AND THE LOSERS.” HIS VIEWS ARE VERY DAMAGING TO THE WHOLE COUNTRY WHEN WE GET OUT OF HAND AS CITIZENS, AND IT ISN’T TOTALLY TRUE, EITHER. PEOPLE CAN OFTEN PUT UP SOME KIND OF DEFENSE, AND THEY BY ALL MEANS SHOULD. ALL CONCEPTS ONCE THEY BECOME PHYSICAL REALITY COME IN SHADES OF GRAY RATHER THAN IN BLACK OR WHITE. AS THERE IS ONLY PARTIAL SUCCESS, THERE IS ALSO ONLY PARTIAL FAILURE.

ACCEPTANCE OF OUR CHILDREN AND COMPASSION WHEN THEY NEED IT DIFFER FROM PUNISHING TO ACHIEVE A PERCEIVED PERFECTION, IN THAT THEY ARE SKILLS WHICH ARE TAUGHT IN MOST CASES. RARELY IS A PERFECTLY BENIGN PERSON "BORN THAT WAY." THAT MEANS THAT PARENTS MUST WORK ON THEIR OWN INNER PSYCHOLOGY TO BECOME GOOD PARENTS. IF THEY WEREN'T TREATED WELL GROWING UP, THE LIKELIHOOD THAT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO MODEL IT TO THEIR CHILDREN, SO THAT THEIR KIDS IN TURN WILL ALSO LEARN IT, IS OBVIOUSLY VERY LOW. THAT IS WHY SOCIETY NEVER BECOMES PERFECT, BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY OF US STUMBLING THROUGH LIFE THAT CRIME BECOMES BUILT INTO OUR PCYCHIC STRUCTURE. GENTLENESS IS LEARNED, PARTLY BY PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND INTERVENTION IN THE HOME, PARTLY THROUGH TEACHERS’ AND OTHER PEOPLE IN AUTHORITY OVERCOMING THE MALADAPTED ACTIONS AND PSYCHOLOGY OF BOTH BULLIES AND VICTIMS. WE ALSO NEED DESPERATELY TO DIMINISH THAT AMERICAN EMPHASIS ON TOTAL SUCCESS, VERSUS “TRYING” OR “COPING.” TRYING IS ESSENTIAL TO ALL OF US, AND "MERELY COPING" IS MUCH BETTER THAN FALLING BY THE WAYSIDE TOTALLY, WHICH IS MY IDEA OF FAILURE. INDIVIDUAL CAPABILITIES VARY WIDELY ON A LARGE NUMBER OF CHARACTERISTICS. ACTUALLY, WHEN WE’RE DEALING WITH INSTINCT ONLY, IT WILL OFTEN OVERCOME OUR HIGH-MINDED THOUGHT IN A TIME OF STRESS AND ESPECIALLY IN HIGHLY SUSCEPTIBLE PEOPLE. FROM THAT SOURCE COMES THE BATTERED WIFE AND CHILD, THE LYNCH MOB AND THE SERIAL KILLER.

WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS TO WORK WITH OUR NEWLY BORN INDIVIDUALS FROM BIRTH, IN ORDER TO INSTILL THAT EMPATHY WHICH WILL OVERCOME ABUSIVENESS. THAT’S WHAT DR. SPOCK WAS TRYING TO TELL PARENTS – WE SHOULD BLEND GENTLENESS AND UNDERSTANDING WITH OUR “DISCIPLINE.” EMPATHETIC THOUGHT IS THE ONLY WAY TO PRODUCE A NURTURING SOCIETY.

A GREAT MANY AMERICANS DON’T WANT A “NURTURING” SOCIETY, OF COURSE, BECAUSE WE ARE SO DEEPLY INVOLVED IN COMPETITION AND STATUS SEEKING. IT’S SAD, BUT NOT IRREMEDIABLE IN SPECIFIC CASES AND IN GROUPS AS WELL. TO SAY AN OLD APHORISM IN A DIFFERENT WAY, A GROUP IS THE SUM OF ITS’ INDIVIDUALS, SO IF WE WORK TO BRING AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE INTO THE HEALTHY RANGE, WE DON’T HAVE TO HAVE A SOCIETY OF ABUSERS AND MURDERERS. WE WOULD NEED MORE TEACHERS, MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, MORE MENTAL HOSPITALS FOR THOSE WHO DO NEED IT, AND FEWER POLICEMEN TRYING TO DEAL WITH THE ISSUE. THAT'S OFTEN HOW THE SHOOTING OF THE NIGHT OCCURS. THE COP BARKS AN ORDER, THE DEAF MAN DOESN'T RESPOND WITH OBEDIENCE, "AND ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST." TO ME, BECOMING A CARING AND NURTURING SOCIETY IS THE PATH TO ENLIGHTENENT, AND TO DECENCY. MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION WOULD MAKE US IN THE USA WINNERS AND NOT LOSERS. "MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN," MEANS RETURNING TO SIMPLER AND MORE SPIRITUAL LIVES, IN THE SENSE OF THE FARMER WHO LIVED ON THE LAND AND EXPERIENCED THE PEACE OF THE FRAGRANT SOIL AND GREENERY.

ON THE LINK BETWEEN GENETIC ABNORMALITY* AND CREATIVITY -- SEE THIS VERY INTERESTING AND EASY TO UNDERSTAND ARTICLE FROM PSYCHOLOGY TODAY ON THE SUBJECT:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/brain-trust/201605/are-creativity-and-madness-written-together-in-your-genes.

TODAY’S NEWS ARTICLE SPEAKS OF SOME SIGNIFICANT IF NOT YET WIDESPREAD SOCIETAL IMPROVEMENTS. AUTISTIC WORKERS ARE BEING SOUGHT OUT FOR THEIR SPECIAL CAPABILITIES BY THE LIKES OF MICROSOFT TO ADD TO THEIR PROGRAMMING STAFF. THAT’S RECOMMENDATION ENOUGH FOR ME. IF WE CAN EVER GET BEYOND THE SITUATION OF ASD [AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER] INDIVIDUALS BEING HARASSED OR WORSE BECAUSE THEY DON’T MEET THE EYES OF OTHERS OR THEY TALK IN AN UNUSUAL WAY, WE CAN REACH TO THE INNER NUGGET OF HUMAN FIRE THAT IS IN US ALL, ONE GROUP OF PEOPLE CAN STOP SUFFERING THE GRIEF OF THE UNWANTED.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/companies-open-doors-to-talent-with-autism/
CBS NEWS September 2, 2018, 9:14 AM
Companies open doors to talent with autism

We like to think that good work is always rewarded. But what if some people who could do good work can't get their foot in the door in the first place? That's where recent hiring initiatives that look beyond unfair stereotypes come in, as Lee Cowan reports in our Cover Story (Originally broadcast on February 11, 2018):

Twenty-seven-year-old Christopher Pauley thought he had it all figured out when it came to looking for a job. He had a detailed spreadsheet of each and every position he applied for – at least 600.

But despite his degree in computer science from California Polytechnic State University, he went two years with barely a nibble.

Did he get discouraged? "Oh my gosh, my morale really started to drop towards the end," he said. "In fact, there were days where I would either hardly fill out any applications at all, or just simply not apply on anything."

He knew he had the smarts for most jobs; he was a former Spelling Bee Champ, after all. But Pauley struggles with social and communications skills because he's also autistic.

While precise numbers are hard to come by, by some estimates at least 80% of adults with autism are unemployed, even though their IQs are often well above average.

Sometimes their job skills can present themselves in unique ways. For Christopher, it's video games. His ability to recognize patterns and his acute attention to detail -- both hallmarks of autism -- make his playing the video game Rock Band look pretty easy.

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Christopher Pauley. CBS NEWS

And they are the same skills he was hoping would impress prospective employers in the computer programming world. But he always had to get past that interview, which was a challenge at best.

Cowan asked, "Was there, in any of those interviews, a time where you just wanted to tell somebody, 'Look, I know my social skills maybe aren't quite what you expect, but I know I can do this job, and I know I can do a really good job if you give me a chance'?"

"Yes."

"But you never said that to anybody?"

"Most of the time, no," he replied.

"Because why?"

"I just wasn't comfortable. It makes me come across as desperate."

At Microsoft, however, there was no need to hide his autism; they were looking for it.

"It's a talent pool that really hasn't been tapped," said Jenny Lay-Flurrie, the chief accessibility officer at tech giant Microsoft outside Seattle.

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Jenny Lay-Flurrie, chief accessibility officer at Microsoft. CBS NEWS

"There really is, and was, a lot of data on the table that said to us that we were missing out. We were missing out on an opportunity to bring talent in with autism."

Cowan said, "So in a way, it sounds like this was almost a business imperative."

"Heck, yeah!" she laughed. "People with disabilities are a strength and a force of nature in this company, myself included."

Lay-Flurrie, who is profoundly deaf, communicates by reading lips and working with an interpreter. She helped create a hiring program for Microsoft back in 2015 designed to better identify candidates with autistic talents.

Instead of the traditional job interview focusing so heavily on social skills, the company has replaced it with a vetting process that lasts for weeks, and team building exercises like one called the Marshmallow Challenge.

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Christopher Pauley (left) takes part in a Marshmallow Challenge exercise. CBS NEWS

"Being able to watch a candidate in that environment as opposed to sitting across the table interviewing them makes all the difference in the world," said Cowan.

"Every difference," said Lay-Flurrie. "Every day, in any company, in any role, you're going to be asked to work with someone else to figure out a problem or a challenge, or a project."

"And yet in that scenario, they're not as self-conscious that they're being observed for a job – they're just doing a task."

"It's marshmallows!"

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Christopher Pauley now works as a software engineer at Microsoft. CBS NEWS

After Christopher Pauley went through a similar, unconventional interview process back in 2016, Microsoft quickly hired him as a software engineer.

His manager Brent Truell says he was immediately impressed by Christopher's "out of the box" thinking.

"When we are faced with really complicated problems, the solutions to those aren't always simple," said Truell. "And Christopher always kind of brings new insights. And having that creative mind, he always brings something new to the team, which is really exciting."

"Which is exactly why you hired him, right?

"Right."

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Microsoft has actively recruited workers on the autism spectrum, increasing diversity in the company. CBS NEWS

It's an idea that's catching on.

Last year, 50 big-name companies -- including JP Morgan, Ford and Ernst & Young -- came together for a summit on how to bring more autistic adults into the workforce.

It was hosted at the Silicon Valley campus of German software maker SAP, which was one of the first large companies to reach out to the autistic community.

It started its Autism at Work Program five years ago, and since then it's hired 140 people on the spectrum, with the goal of hiring more than 600.

"I have been in this industry for close to 30 years, and I can tell you it's probably the single most rewarding program that I have been involved with," said Jose Velasco, who heads the program.

The biggest surprise for him, he says, has been the variety of candidates applying. "Very quickly we started getting resumes from people that had degrees in history, in literature, in graphic design, attorneys … the whole gamut of jobs," Velasco said.

"So really, you went into this thinking that people with autism would be good at certain jobs, and what you ended up discovering is they're good at all jobs?" asked Cowan.

"They are good at just about every role."

And they're expected to perform in those roles, just like anyone else.

Mike Seborowski, for example, was hired three years ago and works in cybersecurity in SAP's office outside of Philadelphia. When Cowan was visiting, Jose was helping Mike get ready for a long stint at the company world headquarters in Germany.

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Mike Seborowski, who works in cyber security, and Jose Velasco, who heads SAP"s program for hiring autistic workers. CBS NEWS

"If you would had [sic] told me six years ago that we would have an employee who was openly autistic in the company, going on a business trip to Germany for a month, I would have not believed you," said Velasco.

Almost everyone has been a surprise, he says. He points to 26-year-old Gloria Mendoza.

She told Cowan, "You should see some of the videos I had when I was a child. I was not very socially skilled with the other kids. Not showing interest with other people, displaying some of the challenging behaviors that a child on the autism spectrum would have."

Her parents, Rosaura and Enrique Mendoza, helped get Gloria years of speech and occupational therapies, as well as access to top doctors. "When she was very young, I used to worry so much because I never thought she will overcome all what she has done," said Rosaura. "So, it was like a very dark cloud."

Gloria made huge strides in her childhood, but her parents were still concerned about how autism might affect her future.

"We worry about her adult life – well, first of all, could she make it through high school?" said Enrique. "Then, once she does that, you know, can she make it through college? Can she be independent?"

She made it through both high school and college; in fact, she got two degrees from Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania – one in music (she has a beautiful singing voice), and another in computer science. And yet, a year after graduating – and hundreds of resumes later – she still couldn't find a job … until she applied to SAP.

"Probably the best part about working here is that I can use the skills which I have studied whilst being among people that understand who I am and how I'm different from everybody else," she said.

SAP put Mendoza through five weeks of training, which included working on her social skills.

She's now in something called Digital Business Services, where she deals directly with customers.

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Gloria Mendoza engages with customers in her position at SAP. CBS NEWS

Cowan asked, "What's the one dream you really want to come true?"

"Probably that I can be really up there in my department, earning a lot of money, and still keeping the friends that I have," she replied.

Her new friends are mostly co-workers in the autism program, and they try to get together regularly. Cowan watched as Mendoza and her friends participated in Game Night.

"And that, CBS, is how you play Smash Brothers!" said Gloria.

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Software company SAP has hired many workers on the autism spectrum, who find camaraderie and fulfillment in the workplace. CBS NEWS

She told Cowan, "I never really had that many friends when I was younger, and having this wide variety of friends that understands me really makes all the difference for me."

How so? "'Cause I can express myself in ways that people won't look at me weird. And it turns out that a lot of people have common interests as I do."

SAP boasts a retention rate of about 90% for their autistic employees. Part of that may be due to the fact they're not just set adrift in the workplace all alone. Each participant in the program is assigned a mentor from within the company – like an on-site guardian angel.

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Gloria Mendoza with her mentor, Gabby Robertson-Cawley. CBS NEWS

Gabby Robertson-Cawley, who has a cousin on the spectrum, volunteered to work with Gloria. "I think it's just the rewards of getting to be friends with these colleagues who have autism – it's not something you get in your typical corporate day-to-day experience," Robertson-Cawley said.

Microsoft also has mentors. Melanie Carmosino, who works with Christopher Pauley, has a personal connection as well; she has a son who's autistic.

Cowan asked, "What have you taken away from this whole experience, personally?"

"Hope," Carmosino replied. "I think that this program gives hope to the autism community. It gives hope to parents like me, and it gives hope to people like my son that a company can, and will, look past their differences and see their gifts and let them contribute to society just like everybody else."

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Melanie Carmosino, who works with Christopher Pauley at Microsoft, with correspondent Lee Cowan. CBS NEWS

Christopher Pauley is now independent, living on his own in a high-rise apartment, something he's always wanted.

Cowan said, "I don't want to ask how much you're making, but you're doing pretty good, it sounds like, yeah?"

"Yes," he said.

"Could you ever imagine you'd be making this much money?"

"No, I never did! Honestly I would have been perfectly happy with, like, half the money I'm making now."

He bought a car and drives himself to work – and for the first time, he says, looks forward to arriving at a place where he's accepted for who he is.

He knows there are still challenges ahead, but given a chance to prove his worth, says Christopher, has given him an optimism he never had.

Cowan asked, "If other kids, or young adults, or adults with autism are watching this, what's your message to them?"

"Don't give up, and make sure to always aim high," he replied. "Don't aim in the middle You know, shoot for the stars every time, 'cause you never know what might happen."


See also:

Autism may be more common than previously thought, CDC says (CBS News, 04/26/18)
Students with autism make music with iPads (12/17/17)
Breaking through autism with Disney movies ("Sunday Morning," 05/04/14)
Autistic fans' appreciation of "The Curious Incident" ("Sunday Morning," 03/01/15)

For more info:

Microsoft: Inclusive hiring for people with disabilities
SAP: Diversity & Inclusion
thespectrumcareers.com
AHRC New York City
Autism Speaks
Autism Society
Autism Spectrum Disorder (National Institute of Mental Health)
Autism Research Institute
Autism (American Psychological Association)

Story produced by Deirdre Cohen.

© 2018 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.



FRAGILE X CHROMOSOME -- https://www.fraxa.org/fragile-x-syndrome/symptoms/
Fragile X Syndrome – Symptoms and Signs

Symptoms

intellectual disabilities, ranging from mild to severe
attention deficit and hyperactivity, especially in young children
anxiety and unstable mood
autistic behaviors, such as hand-flapping and not making eye contact
sensory integration problems, such as hypersensitivity to loud noises or bright lights
speech delay, with expressive language more severely affected than receptive language
seizures (epilepsy) affect about 25% of people with Fragile X syndrome

Physical Signs

These features may be hard to recognize in babies and young children, but sometimes become more apparent with age. Not everyone with Fragile X has all these signs.

long face, large prominent ears, flat feet
hyperextensible joints, especially fingers
low muscle tone
males may have large testes after puberty
Girls are Often Less Affected than Boys



https://fragilex.org/2014/support-and-resources/fragile-x-syndrome-and-autism-spectrum-disorder-similarities-and-differences/
FRAGILE X SYNDROME AND AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER: SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES

AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER IS REFERRED TO BELOW AS ASD.

Now Available: Autism Spectrum Disorder in Fragile X Syndrome Consensus Document

To complete the initial collection of Fragile X Clinical and Research Consortium (FXCRC) we are proud to feature the final document: Autism Spectrum Disorder in Fragile X Syndrome.

The summary below was extracted in part from the Autism Spectrum Disorder in Fragile X Syndrome Consensus Document and from original text by Dr. Dejan Budimirovic of the Kennedy-Krieger Institute FX Clinic in Baltimore, MD.

About The FXCRC Consensus Documents
The Consensus Documents are supported in part by a CDC-funded grant and created and reviewed by a variety of FXCRC clinicians with many clinical backgrounds in order to offer the most up-to-date insight on a variety of subjects related to Fragile X.

Using information gathered from the , we are pleased to bring you newly updated versions of the Sleep, Seizures, Psychopharmacology, and Toileting Consensus Documents in 2015.

Families and some providers are often confused by the relationship between Fragile X syndrome (FXS) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It is important to note that it is more common for a child to be diagnosed with ASD and then to receive an additional diagnosis of FXS. This document attempts to clarify overlaps and gaps between the two conditions. Understanding these distinctions can be particularly helpful when deciding upon the most appropriate medical, therapeutic, counseling and education interventions, and will increase the potential for both short-term and long-term benefits.

What is known about ASD and its relationship with FXS?

Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disorder primarily characterized by a selective impairment in social interaction. Namely, people with ASD have differences in how they understand and react to people and social situations, which result from differences in how their brains process socially-relevant information. Symptoms of ASD appear in early childhood. It is a lifelong disorder, though symptoms change over time. At this time, there is no medical test, such as a blood test or brain scan, that can diagnose ASD. Yet in some cases the cause of ASD is known, such as FXS, the most common-known single-gene disorder that accounts for about 2-3 percent of all ASD cases. Specifically, FXS is a genetically-defined condition that can be diagnosed by a DNA blood test, unlike ASD that is a behaviorally-defined diagnosis. Thus FXS is one cause out of many, for a person to manifest the clinical symptoms that define ASD.

Why are autistic features common in FXS?

Our current ASD knowledge indicates that it is a developmental brain disorder, beginning shortly after birth or even earlier. Its most characteristic feature is the presence of abnormal patterns of neural “wiring” or connectivity. Because multiple genetic and environmental factors have been linked to ASD, there are probably multiple ways in which neural connectivity and other processes can be disrupted, leading to a common outcome or set of clinical features that result in a diagnosis of ASD. In regard to the neural connectivity, many proteins that have similar jobs as FMRP (the protein made from the Fragile X gene, which is absent or reduced in people with FXS) and also proteins that interact with FMRP have been found to be associated with ASD. Thus, it is likely that ASD is frequently present in FXS because the lack of FMRP in FXS adds to the risk of developing the types of abnormal wiring and related brain abnormalities that lead to ASD symptoms.

ASD as a “cloud” scheme with FXS in it.
It may be useful to see ASD as a cloud that represents a final common diagnostic category illustrative of abnormal patterns of brain wiring that result from a blend of multiple diverse genetic and other etiologies.

. . . . THIS ARTICLE IS LONG, SO I AM ENDING IT HERE. GO TO THE WEBSITE TO READ IT FOR YOURSELF IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO.


https://fragilex.org/learn/premutation-carriers/
WHAT IS A PREMUTATION? NO. IT IS NOT A MISSPELLING OF PERMUTATION. IT’S GENETICS AND NOT MATH. SEE HERE:

CGG Repeat Ranges. A premutation carrier is an individual, male or female, who has between 55-200 CGG repeats in the Fragile X (FMR1) gene. The full mutation is defined as over 200 CGG repeats.