applications. companies and sales say they're being able to employ the right skill peel people but it's one of the biggest problems. in particular, they need more people with technical communication skills. in america, the unemployment rate is at under 4% and 74% of companies say they have trouble recruiting all the staff they need. that's i4% more than two years ago. in europe, they are calling the year 2023 the so—called year of skills because more than three quarters of companies report difficulties finding workers with the right skill set and a quarter of medium size companies say that the biggest problem. here in the uk it's a similar picture. unemployment is hovering just under 4% and a new report shows that more than seven out of ten companies are reporting a so—called skills gap. that report is fresh out from the british chambers of commerce and one of its recommendations is that companies work harder to fill the skills gap by recruiting from underrepresented groups. by recruiting from underrepresented ”mus, �* , ,, , by recruiting from underrepresented u-rous. , ,, , , , groups. businesses themselves need to be more flexible _ groups. businesses themselves need to be more flexible and _ groups. businesses themselves need to be more flexible and agile - groups. businesses themselves need to be more flexible and agile in - groups. businesses themselves need to be more flexible and agile in the l to be more flexible and agile in the way they manage the workplace. there are lots of people from underrepresented groups he would be very happy and very willing to move intojobs who very happy and very willing to move into jobs who would like to work but are struggling to access work because of the potentially the interview process or the lack of adjustments in the workplace. for example, we know that very few autistic adults are in full—time work at the present time and only 13% of work at the present time and only i3% of businesses have any sort of plan or initiative in place to support disabled adults into work. so if need to look to hire how can they do this. my so if need to look to hire how can they do thie— they do this. my next guest has exoerienced — they do this. my next guest has experienced the _ they do this. my next guest has experienced the job _ they do this. my next guest has experienced the job market - they do this. my next guest has| experienced the job market with they do this. my next guest has - experienced the job market with and without an autistic diagnosis. it's a pleasure to have you on the show. you wasn't diagnosed until you are 51 years old. how did you come to realise that you were autistic? i had all this felt, alienated, and certain things were difficult for me but i never really suspected it and i had been receiving counselling for most of my aduu receiving counselling for most of my adult life and neither of my councillors even suspected it, partly because adult autism was not a thing but even so, it was actually my wife, one day she was web surfing and she came across an article about autism in adults from 2013 and she started to think that very much looks like my husband.- started to think that very much looks like my husband. isabel, your wife, she looks like my husband. isabel, your wife. she is— looks like my husband. isabel, your wife, she is next _ looks like my husband. isabel, your wife, she is next to _ looks like my husband. isabel, your wife, she is next to you. _ looks like my husband. isabel, your wife, she is next to you. can - looks like my husband. isabel, your wife, she is next to you. can i - looks like my husband. isabel, your wife, she is next to you. can i have | wife, she is next to you. can i have a quick word with her? well, yes. by all means. come on in, isabel. hi, isabel. lovely to have you and to see you. let me just ask you this, you were doing this internet search and then you put the pieces together but did you have any thoughts prior to finding that online site that maybe there was something different about lars? ., , about lars? there was always something — about lars? there was always something different _ about lars? there was always something different about - about lars? there was always| something different about him about lars? there was always - something different about him but i couldn't put my finger on it. i always thought my boyfriend was quirky, but there are lots of people quirky, but there are lots of people quirky out there and i myself and this but when i started school, i realised there was something different and then when i read the article i was shocked to see that most of what they were talking about fitted with the behaviour that lars had been showing throughout the years. had been showing throughout the ears. , , , , had been showing throughout the ears. , , , y y ., had been showing throughout the ears. , , , years. just briefly, when you saw that article, _ years. just briefly, when you saw that article, and _ years. just briefly, when you saw that article, and then _ years. just briefly, when you saw that article, and then he - years. just briefly, when you saw that article, and then he had - years. just briefly, when you saw that article, and then he had the | that article, and then he had the diagnosis of autism, did the light bulb come on?— diagnosis of autism, did the light bulb come on? absolutely. it was like reading _ bulb come on? absolutely. it was like reading about _ bulb come on? absolutely. it was like reading about lars _ bulb come on? absolutely. it was like reading about lars and - bulb come on? absolutely. it was like reading about lars and at - bulb come on? absolutely. it was like reading about lars and at the end of the article they took it to a link and it said do this test, its not an indication that you have autism but it's an indication that you might have and you might want to talk to your gp for a referral and then i got lars and i did the test on him and it showed that he might be on the spectrum and that started the process rolling. i’m be on the spectrum and that started the process rolling.— the process rolling. i'm going to ask ou the process rolling. i'm going to ask you to _ the process rolling. i'm going to ask you to put — the process rolling. i'm going to ask you to put lars _ the process rolling. i'm going to ask you to put lars back - the process rolling. i'm going to ask you to put lars back in - the process rolling. i'm going to ask you to put lars back in frontj the process rolling. i'm going to i ask you to put lars back in front of the camera. thank you for your time. welcome back, lars. 0nce the camera. thank you for your time. welcome back, lars. once you had the diagnosis i want to ask you how did you feel when you realised? it diagnosis i want to ask you how did you feel when you realised?- diagnosis i want to ask you how did you feel when you realised? it was a mixed feeling- _ you feel when you realised? it was a mixed feeling. first _ you feel when you realised? it was a mixed feeling. first of _ you feel when you realised? it was a mixed feeling. first of all, _ you feel when you realised? it was a mixed feeling. first of all, the - mixed feeling. first of all, the biggest — mixed feeling. first of all, the biggest of all was that i was relieved. because, nowi biggest of all was that i was relieved. because, now i have answers— relieved. because, now i have answers to _ relieved. because, now i have answers to my feelings of alienation and why— answers to my feelings of alienation and why so— answers to my feelings of alienation and why so much had gone wrong in my life, and why so much had gone wrong in my life. despite— and why so much had gone wrong in my life, despite my utmost effort. when you know _ life, despite my utmost effort. when you know the cause then you can understand — you know the cause then you can understand this. so now i had something to work on sol understand this. so now i had something to work on so i started studying — something to work on so i started studying and researching autism. did you studying and researching autism. you have studying and researching autism. d c you have problems at studying and researching autism. li c you have problems at work before your diagnosis?— your diagnosis? work, school... famil , your diagnosis? work, school... family. life _ your diagnosis? work, school... family, life as _ your diagnosis? work, school... family, life as we _ your diagnosis? work, school... family, life as we know- your diagnosis? work, school... family, life as we know it, - your diagnosis? work, school... family, life as we know it, yes, | family, life as we know it, yes, everywhere. yes, i did with alienation, isolation, even bullying and harassment.— alienation, isolation, even bullying and harassment. what's the biggest challenae and harassment. what's the biggest challenge that _ and harassment. what's the biggest challenge that you _ and harassment. what's the biggest challenge that you find _ and harassment. what's the biggest challenge that you find in _ and harassment. what's the biggest challenge that you find in the - challenge that you find in the workplace?— challenge that you find in the worklace? . , . ., , workplace? that is an easy answer. the social aspects. _ workplace? that is an easy answer. the social aspects. i _ workplace? that is an easy answer. the social aspects. i like _ workplace? that is an easy answer. the social aspects. i like to - the social aspects. i like to consider— the social aspects. i like to consider myself actually quite social — consider myself actually quite social but i don't understand social interaction — social but i don't understand social interaction and i send conflicting signals— interaction and i send conflicting signals to — interaction and i send conflicting signals to the people around me so it's kind _ signals to the people around me so it's kind of— signals to the people around me so it's kind of a — signals to the people around me so it's kind of a mutual misunderstanding and, also, ijust have _ misunderstanding and, also, ijust have extreme difficulties with office — have extreme difficulties with office politics.— have extreme difficulties with office olitics. ~ ., , . office politics. what is it that you excel at? problem _ office politics. what is it that you excel at? problem solving. - office politics. what is it that you j excel at? problem solving. there office politics. what is it that you - excel at? problem solving. there are a coule excel at? problem solving. there are a couple of — excel at? problem solving. there are a couple of things. _ excel at? problem solving. there are a couple of things. there _ excel at? problem solving. there are a couple of things. there are - excel at? problem solving. there are a couple of things. there are some . a couple of things. there are some stereotypes about autistic people that are _ stereotypes about autistic people that are true, we often see patterns and picking — that are true, we often see patterns and picking out anomalies. coming from _ and picking out anomalies. coming from the _ and picking out anomalies. coming from the neuro diverse perspective, i sometimes look at problems in a different— i sometimes look at problems in a different way. what am i good a? yeal’, _ different way. what am i good a? year, working hard and being very loyal _ year, working hard and being very loyal one — year, working hard and being very loyal. one thing is that i have developed empathy. it's an erratic stereotype that we don't have empathy. it's not that we don't have empathy, _ empathy. it's not that we don't have empathy, we don't have a filter that is able _ empathy, we don't have a filter that is able to— empathy, we don't have a filter that is able to filter out things around us. ~ ., is able to filter out things around us. ~ . ., , ., is able to filter out things around us. what would you say to other neuro diverging _ us. what would you say to other neuro diverging people - us. what would you say to other neuro diverging people about i us. what would you say to other i neuro diverging people about going into the workplace? the neuro diverging people about going into the workplace?— into the workplace? the advice i have, it sounds _ into the workplace? the advice i have, it sounds sort _ into the workplace? the advice i have, it sounds sort of - into the workplace? the advice i have, it sounds sort of general i into the workplace? the advice i i have, it sounds sort of general but ithink— have, it sounds sort of general but i think we — have, it sounds sort of general but i think we have to remember that a lot of— i think we have to remember that a lot of autistic people come into the workforce — lot of autistic people come into the workforce carrying traumas from earlier— workforce carrying traumas from earlier in— workforce carrying traumas from earlier in life so one piece of advice — earlier in life so one piece of advice is _ earlier in life so one piece of advice is if— earlier in life so one piece of advice is if you suspect you have autism, — advice is if you suspect you have autism, get— advice is if you suspect you have autism, get a formal diagnosis because — autism, get a formal diagnosis because then, yes, you will have the law on— because then, yes, you will have the law on your— because then, yes, you will have the law on your side when you apply for work _ law on your side when you apply for work and _ law on your side when you apply for work. and be persistent. it easy to -ive work. and be persistent. it easy to give uu _ work. and be persistent. it easy to give uu i've — work. and be persistent. it easy to give up. i've seen too many fellow autistic— give up. i've seen too many fellow autistic people giving up and it's very depressing because failure hurts— very depressing because failure hurts but— very depressing because failure hurts but i say, just to be persistent and accept every failure as a learning opportunity and ask for beta — as a learning opportunity and ask for beta i— as a learning opportunity and ask for help. i have noticed that there are people — for help. i have noticed that there are people who are prepared to take advantage _ are people who are prepared to take advantage of us, that is all too true _ advantage of us, that is all too true but — advantage of us, that is all too true but there are very many kind people _ true but there are very many kind people that are able and willing and sometimes even quite eager to help. it sometimes even quite eager to help. it can— sometimes even quite eager to help. it can be _ sometimes even quite eager to help. it can be very difficult, difficult ask of— it can be very difficult, difficult ask of autistic people but at least don't _ ask of autistic people but at least don't try— ask of autistic people but at least don't try to be someone who you are not which _ don't try to be someone who you are not which is — don't try to be someone who you are not which is called masking which is very common in autistic people. the simplest— very common in autistic people. the simplest advice is to do your best. that's_ simplest advice is to do your best. that's all— simplest advice is to do your best. that's all anyone can ask of you. wonderful— that's all anyone can ask of you. wonderful advice. that's all anyone can ask of you. wonderfuladvice. lars, ican't that's all anyone can ask of you. wonderful advice. lars, i can't tell you how much we appreciate you sharing your story, and isabel, sharing your story, and isabel, sharing your story, and isabel, sharing your story. good luck with everything. i really appreciate your time. lars was placed in a company called auto corn, a technology company that exclusively hires autistic people for consultants. they have more than 400 autistic employees and it's the largest neuro diverse company in the world. kurt, a pleasure having you on the show. what other benefits to businesses for a neuro inclusive workforce? it's very interesting. thanks for asking that question. what came out the study is that there is a greater level of innovation. you have people who think and act different and who bring a totally new level of thought process into the solutions. there is increased efficiency and this is what every company is looking for. it might surprise you but it becomes clearer when you think about it, there is much clearer communication in the teams. a clear definition of the project helps. so we can really see the communication in the team is definitely increasing. there's also a better team spirit often. the other thing of course is a great sense of purpose for the organisation that we are trying out. you estimated that only 30% of adults with autism are in employment. how can companies think differently about trying to attract this group? the differently about trying to attract this a-rou? , , differently about trying to attract this arou - ? , , ., . differently about trying to attract this arou-? , , ., . , this group? the biggest hindrance is the wa we this group? the biggest hindrance is the way we are _ this group? the biggest hindrance is the way we are hiring _ this group? the biggest hindrance is the way we are hiring people - the way we are hiring people internally in business. we are not focusing enough on strengths or capabilities, we are still seen too many other things around the person that are not really important in the job and in order to change that, that hiring methodology needs to be resolved completely. how, kurt? we help our partners to do that. we see bottlenecks in the hiring process which more or less displayed neuro diverging people from the beginning without knowing that. but basically, the bigger the company gets, the more important for them to be seen that they really need diversity post business. it can be hard for people to find their way into the business and that is what we are trying to change and have been changing quite significantly already. and that remains our focus for the future. i have to ask you, the image of rain man, an autistic person with exceptional powers, that's a cliche, isn't it? ~ , �* ., isn't it? absolutely. believe it or not it still injures _ isn't it? absolutely. believe it or not it still injures but _ isn't it? absolutely. believe it or not it still injures but we - not it still injures but we completely disagree because it claims that you are really good especially on one thing. that is not true of our colleagues who are capable of doing different things in a really fantastic manner so it is a cliche, definitely. the a really fantastic manner so it is a cliche, definitely.— cliche, definitely. the idea of the autistic it worker _ cliche, definitely. the idea of the autistic it worker is _ cliche, definitely. the idea of the autistic it worker is a _ autistic it worker is a representation of the community but there are other industries, do you think you could see similar changes for those communities? first think you could see similar changes for those communities?— think you could see similar changes for those communities? first of all, if ou for those communities? first of all, if you change _ for those communities? first of all, if you change the — for those communities? first of all, if you change the perception - for those communities? first of all, if you change the perception then . for those communities? first of all, if you change the perception then itj if you change the perception then it helps everybody on the spectrum. if you talk about autistic people, if you talk about autistic people, if you are talking about 1% to 2% of the population. if you as an employer do not even look at 15% of the populat