Autistic people are individuals with their own, unique profile of strengths and difficulties. Even so, in general terms, they will usually have problems with social interaction, sensory issues as well as a tendency to be focused on one or two interests. It’s also fairly common to have other conditions such as dyspraxia, ADHD or hypermobility at the same time.
When you consider the challenges this brings to everyday life, it’s not surprising that autism can also get in the way of finding a job. In fact, according to a report from the Office of National Statistics issued this year, only 29% of adults with ASD are in any kind of employment (up from 21.7% last year).
The ‘Up’ Side of Autism
Nevertheless, some young people with autism refuse to let the condition hold them back and are carving their own path, educating others on the positive aspects of neurodiversity.
Michael Barton, aged 30, was diagnosed with Asperger’s as a child growing up in Kent. He attended both special and mainstream schools and eventually went on to gain a degree in physics. He is now employed as a data analyst. In addition to his day job, he has written some amazing books, gives talks, and runs workshops on autism for businesses and schools across the UK.
“I like to focus on the positive aspects,” he explains. “If you think about the way autism is diagnosed, it’s defined by deficit – what people can’t do. But there is so much more to it. Many autistic people are very logical and analytical. In my job, for example, dealing with computer coding, attention to detail is paramount. If you put a full-stop instead of a comma, the whole programme can crash.
Honesty and Bluntness can be Useful
“Autistic people can also be brutally honest,” he continues, “but in the right context, this can be an asset. Think of Greta Thunberg warning the world about climate change. And although someone with autism might struggle to make small talk, as an employee, it means that they’re much more likely to get on with their work.”
As you might expect, Michael says he struggled with social situations at school though he wanted to connect with other children. His special interest in Pokemon made him popular, he points out, because classmates would come to him for advice about which cards to collect or swap.
It’s an approach he has adopted into adulthood, getting to know other people through the focus on shared interests. He plays the piano, drums and the bass guitar, has a black belt in judo, and also enjoys rock climbing. “I had a lot of support at school where I was explicitly taught the intricacies of social interaction but I still have to practise my social skills,” he admits. “One of the benefits of being an adult is that I can now choose which situations to put myself into. When I went to university, for example, I joined clubs connected to my interests.”
Finding the Funny Side
Michael agrees that autistic people can be humorous, though sometimes this is unintentional, he says, because of their bewilderment at the neurotypical world. With this in mind he has written two books via Jessica Kingsley Publishers. The first, ‘It’s Raining Cats and Dogs,’ is a light-hearted look at some of the everyday metaphors and expressions which can be completely baffling to an autistic person who takes language literally. The book is illustrated with his own, humorous drawings which depict what these sayings conjure up in his mind.
In a similar way, his second book, ‘A Different Kettle of Fish,’ describes a day trip from university to central London through his eyes, again pointing out how confusing the world at large can be to someone with ASD.
His most recent book (available on Amazon here), ‘What Has Autism Ever Done for Us?: How the autistic way of thinking revolutionised the world’ – which he self-published – looks at famous people, past and present, such as Andy Warhol, Mozart and Steve Jobs, examining how their autistic traits may have contributed to their achievements.
Celebrate Autistic People’s Strengths
On his website he comments, ‘One of the messages I hope you get from the book is that society shouldn’t just view autistic people in a different light, but society needs autistic people – a message that should be understood, accepted and embraced by all.’
And what advice would Michael offer to parents and teachers who work with autistic kids? “Get to know them as an individual,” he urges. “They’re not all good at maths.”
Also, remember to check out Michael’s latest book here.
