Creating a place for Autism

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/30/putting-the-gifts-of-the-autistic-to-work/?partner=rss&emc=rss
This is an inspirational move toward society adapting and accommodating for those with Autism.  The need for finding a way to help the increasing population of Autistic in our society will soon be a major concern.  This entrepreneur found a way to include the Autistic who could show ability to perform at a certain level, thus allowing them to contribute successfully to society, rather than become a burden.
The reason I have placed it in our blog, is because there is much to learn from what this man has done and to me, it emphasizes the importance of finding ways to include and adapt these students education-while they are in school, so that they can also have a chance at success as adults.  The author states that in 2010, there were over 14 million people of working age in the united states with a diagnosed disability. LESS THAN 1 IN 3 OF THESE PEOPLE WERE EMPLOYED. Unless we do something, this is a problem that is only going to get worse and will cost our country more each year.
The point made by the interviewee Thorkil Sonne, who works with Autistic is very common; they are often laughed at, harassed, misunderstood and expected to perform in an environment that they have not been adequately prepared for.  The end result is that they are often fired if they do manage to find a job and the reasons they are fired or eliminated from the employable pool to begin with is that they are unable to process social cues accurately.  This typically has nothing to do with their ability to perform a task, if the task is one that they have been given the skills for.
More importantly, Autistic people generally perform repetitive tasks very well and most of the rest of us do not enjoy these tasks. They often have the patience to stick with complicated tasks and problem detection that is very important to pre-market production, as Sonne points out.
So- What are we doing in our education system for these people?  I am afraid many would rather institutionalize Autism, if they could, but by doing so, we are only insuring that we will have to support them financially for the rest of their lives.  The exposure to the social environment in school is important for all kids, because it enables both to adapt to working with each other. If we effectively teach these children, like any Exceptional Child,  we are finding their gifts, rather than focusing and exposing their limitations.  This is what increases the likelihood that any of these children will be able to support themselves as adults; a vitally important goal.  Wouldn't you agree?

Please read this article and share your thoughts!