First Person: Thorkil Sonne Founder of Specialisterne

Ten years ago, my family’s life changed when our youngest son Lars was diagnosed with autism at the age of 3. We knew that, among other things, this diagnosis meant that it would be difficult for Lars to interpret what others expected of him, and that he would probably face a life where he would be constantly misunderstood and isolated from society. Most likely, Lars would never have a normal working life.

In 2004, I founded Specialisterne, a business that made it possible for those with Autism Spectrum Disorder to excel in a competitive market without having to worry about how to fit in with others’ social expectations. To cut a very long story short, Specialisterne has excelled, winning several awards, and even heralded as a sucess story at the Harvard Business School.

I want to create new possibilities for people with ASD. For too long, the strength, capacity and potential of individuals with ASD have gone unrecognized and under appreciated. By spreading the Specialisterne model around the world and sharing our knowledge with workplaces, so that they can better integrate people with ASD, we can help create a world of job opportnities for people with ASD. We can build a world free of unnecessary barriers, stereotypes and discrimination.

You might ask yourself, for example, whether people with ASD in the United States and Denmark share the same needs, enjoy the same possibilities, and whether the Specialisterne model can work in both countries. Well, I very much believe they do and it can! We all need new ways of employing people with ASD, and I think the Specialisterne model can succeed anywhere with the right support and commitment.

I have been adopted as a fellow by the global network of social entrepreneurs, Ashoka, and now have its support to globalize our concept and reach our goal.

Thorkil Sonne, Founder of Specialisterne, and Chairman of the Board at the Specialist People Foundation