auticon, a social enterprise that employs over 200 adults on the autism spectrum as technology consultants and IT service professionals, is celebrating Autistic Pride Day by releasing its 2020 Global Impact Report, which outlines key findings from a survey of its autistic employees.
The survey was conducted by Aleron, social impact specialists. Additionally, today, members of auticon’s teams have contributed art and expression to celebrate their pride in celebration of Autistic Pride Day.
auticon Australia CEO Bodo Mann commented on the results of the survey, “It’s great to see that auticon’s consultants are thriving in their roles and working with our job coaches to deliver superior value to our clients. Their unique skills and talents help to deliver truly extraordinary outcomes and they’re game changing solutions offer our customers unmatched results.”
Autistic adults often have extraordinary talents in STEM and unique cognitive advantages in logic, pattern recognition, precision, sustained concentration, and an ability to intuitively spot errors, yet many find it difficult to secure employment. With its Global Impact Report, auticon looks to measure the impact and benefits of working at auticon for those on the autism spectrum.
The auticon consultants surveyed reported their confidence (70%), autonomy (64%), and wellbeing (74%) increase as a result of working at auticon.
The organisations autistic professionals agree their skills and abiiltes (80%), understanding of their skills and abilities (74%), opportunities for professional development (70%) and reaching their full potential (56%) has also increased since starting work with auticon.
The job coach has also proved to be critical to the success of our consultants, 83% of consultants agree the support offered by their job coach helped their transition to a client’s workplace
Job coaches provide essential support services to our autistic teams*:
- At least 93% found an element of the job coaching helpful
- 53% found support for any concerns in the workplace particularly helpful
- 47% found support with communication and interaction particularly helpful
- 46% found project onboarding particularly helpful
- 41% found agree that the 1-to-1 job coaching sessions particularly helpful
- 36% found discussing and reviewing workplace adjustments particularly helpful
- 32% found attending the first day at a new project particularly helpful
- 29% found discussing and reviewing goals for personal development particularly helpful
- 26% found providing strategies for stress management particularly helpful
Increased client understanding and confidence in working with autistic adults
- In 2019, auticon completed 164 workplace assessments for our clients, identifying opportunities to make their workplaces more accessible for neurodiverse adults
- In the same year auticon developed 155 training documents to assist in the training of client employees in neurodiversity
- In 2019, auticon delivered 140 training sessions with clients, training over 1,000 client employees on neurodiversity in the workplace
Clients and their teams experience a positive shift in perceptions of working with a more neurodiverse team
- “I found the consultants really good to work with - the fact that they are autistic soon became something that wasn't even a consideration.”
- “It was a pleasure working with auticon, who expanded our understanding of autism and helped us put in place an environment where the consultant could utilise their unique skillset in a positive way. We very much hope to have the opportunity to work with auticon again in the future.”
auticon offers exceptional quality work within the information technology industry. The company’s client services include business analytics, artificial intelligence, software development, cybersecurity, as well as quality assurance and testing. auticon provides two operating models for clients: the “remote model” where work is completed at auticon’s office locations or virtual consultants working from home; and the “on-site model” where the consultant works at the client’s office location.
- In 2019, auticon received 700 job applications from eligible applicants
- The auction group uses an inclusive recruitment process, including skills assessments and preparation workshops. In 2019 auticon hosted 154 skills assessments, assessing skills directly. In the same year we held 33 preparation workshops with candidates
- This resulted in 96 job offers in 2019, of which 94 were accepted
Aleron quote
“It has been a pleasure working with auticon on their first global impact study and report. auticon is a fantastic multi-national social enterprise with a clear positive impact for their consultants. auticon's unique model has the ability to be applied in many different contexts, countries and organisations, and we are excited to see what the future holds for them”
About auticon
With a high demand for data quality and flawless software development, auticon provides a neurodiverse and agile workforce to improve our client’s IT projects. Our hybrid onsite and offsite teams utilize the cognitive benefits of autism to provide the sustained concentration and analytical mindset that makes us wired for success.
Our teams include fully-trained personnel specializing in software development, data analysis, quality assurance and testing, automation engineering, and more.
auticon has international offices in Germany, United States, Canada, France, Switzerland, Italy, Australia and throughout the United Kingdom. Investors include Sir Richard Branson of Virgin Group Ltd., Felix and Susanne Porsche, Ananda Impact Ventures, Ferd AS, Yabeo Capital, and Ferst Capital Partners.
Bodo Mann – Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, auticon Australia
Over the last 20 years Bodo has held senior leadership roles, has built businesses and worked extensively with Boards, CEOs and Senior Executives from ASX 100 and global blue-chip organisations across Australasia and Europe on a variety of client engagements ranging from of Strategy Development, Technology, Digital Transformation, Board Advisory, Leadership Consulting and Search.
He is passionate about building innovative social impact businesses, which are purpose driven and shine through neurodiversity. Bodo is excited and proud to be part of the global auticon family, whose primary purpose is to employ talented consultants on the autism spectrum, while providing value adding technology consulting services and cognitive strengths to blue chip clients.
By combining a highly relevant skill set across strategy, technology consulting and board advisory with deep P&L, business insights and leadership experience, Bodo is uniquely positioned to provide a pragmatic approach to developing a sustainable business as well as positioning technology solutions to our valued clients.
Bodo is a Non-Executive Director of the German-Australian Chamber of Industry and Commerce (GACIC). He is also on the Advisory Boards of the FinTech start-ups ‘Nudge Saver’ and ‘Bondle’, a global collaboration and governance application business.
