A Personal Journey of Discovery and Understanding

As we honor World Autism Month in April, this article seeks to raise awareness about autism creating a deeper understanding of the value autistic individuals bring to professional environments and promoting greater inclusion and support.

By Steve Malerich

“The first step in successful collaboration between different kinds of thinkers is learning that different kinds of thinkers exist.”

— Temple Grandin

Five years ago, I came across a proposal that said introversion might best be identified as “a continuous segment of the non-clinical part of the autism spectrum… .”[1] I found particularly intriguing the notion that the apparent inability of introverts and autistic individuals to see social cues was really an inability to separate cues from “noise” in social situations.

With my curiosity piqued, I searched for signs of autism in adults. I quickly found a succinct listing, from the UK National Health Service (NHS),[2] against which I could compare myself.

Noting many similarities, I continued to study the subject and to consider what it might mean for me. I’m not sure if identifying introversion as autism is generally accurate, but my own fit was too compelling to ignore. Late last year, I was diagnosed with “Autism Spectrum Disorder, Level 1” (formerly known as “Asperger’s Syndrome”) with specific impairments.

With this new understanding, I began to suspect that many actuarial jokes are based on behaviors of autistic actuaries. While I’m not qualified to diagnose any individuals, I recognize the traits. I also see an unfortunate consequence—autistic actuaries being viewed solely as technicians, with their insights into interpersonal matters too easily dismissed.

Turning to the signs of autism as identified by the NHS, I have rearranged and reworded them to be more specific to Level 1 autism, using myself as an example. However, it’s important to remember that there is significant variation among autistic individuals; we do not exhibit these signs in the same way or to the same extent.

Main Signs of Autism

The NHS identifies seven main signs of autism.

Finding it hard to make friends or preferring to be alone. Finding and sustaining a close friendship is challenging for me. I often depend on others to find enough value in my friendship to take a lead in keeping it going. While others seek enjoyment in social settings, I usually turn toward solitude.

Finding it hard to understand what others are thinking or feeling. My problem is in timing; I may not understand emotions or thoughts until after the moment has passed.

Being uncomfortable in unstructured social situations. Though I can easily interact with you for a specific purpose, I find myself aimlessly wandering at networking events, hoping that something will happen to make it worthwhile.

Taking things literally. I’m amused by colloquial phrases that become nonsensical when taken literally. Professionally, I have difficulty with interpretations that deviate from the exact wording of standards, or with assigning strict meaning to standards based on words that aren’t there.

Seeming blunt, rude or not interested in others without meaning to. I tend to be matter-of-fact in my speech, which might come across as blunt or rude to others, even though that is not my intention. Experts recommend “active listening,” and while I can listen intently, I struggle to engage actively at the same time. Like with social cues, I need time to process, so in the moment I might appear uninterested.

Finding it hard to say how you feel. I’m aware of my own feelings, but finding words to describe them is hard, especially when I’m concerned about how they might be perceived.

Depending on routine and struggling with interruptions of routine. I depend heavily on routines, though I include some flexibility to accommodate other’s needs. My routines help me separate hands-on tasks from thinking work, personal time from work time, etc.—which makes me more productive. However, I become distressed when pushed beyond my limits of flexibility, which can impair my performance and increase the risk of appearing “rude.”

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Another View of Social Rules

In the late 1930s, Hans Asperger noted that one of his patients could see through polite facades and social games—but didn’t know how to play them to his own advantage.[3] If you want to better understand the social dynamics of an environment, an autistic observer might be helpful. In 2007, John Elder Robison noted that, “My inability to read body language or appearance meant … that I treated everyone the same.”[4] In my experience, treating everyone the same can earn both appreciation (despite an occasional faux pas) and condemnation.

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How Can Employers Support Employees with Autism?

There are a wide variety of ways that businesses can support their employees with autism. According to United Disabilities Services, a leading human service providers organization, employers can offer a supportive work environment by:

• Developing a comprehensive understanding of autism and how it presents in the workplace.
• Ensuring other employees know how to work with someone with autism.
• Focusing on the candidate’s ability to perform the job rather than perceived limitations related to autism during the hiring process.
• Providing clear and concise directions and guidelines for employees with autism.
• Bringing in external support, such as on-site job coaches, to mentor and assist the employee.
• Providing reasonable accommodations for employees with autism, such as one-on-one meetings, flexibility to follow a structured schedule, and advance notice of task or workplace changes.
• Designating a mentor or buddy in the office whom the employee with autism can turn to when feeling anxious, confused, or stressed.

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Other Signs

The NHS identifies six other signs of autism.

Difficulty with social “rules.” As an observer, I enjoy social situations—people fascinate me and I can easily pick up cues as long as I don’t have to respond to them. However, as a participant, I often struggle to follow the rules while processing the overwhelming flow of social cues and noise. (For some mixed effects of this difficulty, see the sidebar, “Another View of Social Rules.”)

Avoiding eye contact. “How can you tell an extroverted actuary from an introverted actuary?” the joke begins, “The extroverted actuary looks at your shoes while talking to you.” I’ve learned to make eye contact, but among autistic actuaries, this stereotype seems more common. From what I’ve read, this is often a way to cope with social overload.

Difficulty with personal boundaries. Though I am uncomfortable if you get too close to me, I know that social situations sometimes require tolerance of the discomfort. Tolerance, however, might break down if I’m exhausted by work or social overload, another driver of “rude” behavior.

Noticing small details, patterns, sights, smells, or sounds that others overlook. I used to be amazed at how quickly some people could narrow their focus on just a few key details in a report. Over time, I realized that while this skill is valuable, it often leads them to overlook other important details. I now value my ability to notice subtle details as a complement to their focused approach.

Having a keen interest in certain subjects or activities. If you try to engage me in a topic that doesn’t interest me, I tend to remain silent. But if you ask me about something that does interest me—like human behavior or practical applications of math—I may say far more than you bargained for.

Preferring to plan carefully. I depart sharply from this description. If a goal can be achieved by following a carefully designed plan, either give it to someone else or expect me to look for ways it might be improved. Come to me if you have a problem that has defied solution or if you need help understanding a complex interrelationship. (Read the sidebar, “A Different Box.”)

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A Different Box

The idiom, “thinking outside the box,” has become a cliché. Still, the idea has value. Eighty some years ago, Hans Asperger speculated that much of scientific advancement might have come because people like his patients were unconstrained by social norms, including norms of the scientific community in their times. In our time, Temple Grandin and others have suggested that we may have “Aspies” to thank for many of the technological wonders that we now enjoy. It would be an exaggeration to say that autistic individuals don’t think in a box. But our boxes are different and, relative to yours, we are outside. That can be both frustrating and valuable. To realize the value, as observed by Grandin, we must overcome the frustration and allow autistic individuals to be themselves—autistic.

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The Business Case for Hiring People with Disabilities

According to Accenture’s The Disability Inclusion Imperative report released in 2023,

• Companies that embrace best practices for employing and supporting more persons with disabilities, including people with autism and related conditions, outperform their peers financially.
• On average, companies that engaged in inclusive hiring achieved 1.6 times more revenue, 2.6 times more net income, and 2 times more profit than their peers.
• All workers benefit from a more diverse workplace. Working alongside employees with disabilities makes other individuals more aware of how to make the workplace more inclusive and better for everyone. Staff turnover is also lower —by up to 30 percent.
• Persons with disabilities have to be creative to adapt to the world around them. Their problem-solving skills are essential for innovation. 

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Autism in Women

The NHS also identifies characteristics that are more common in women and can make autism harder to recognize. However, these traits are not unique to women.

Hiding signs of autism. I learned long ago to hide much of it. When I mention my autism, I often hear something like, “I don’t see it.”

Being quieter and hiding feelings. I learned to hide my feelings. Being quiet comes naturally to me, and I’ve found it to be an effective way to hide my feelings.

Appearing to cope better with social situations. By autistic norms, I cope reasonably well with many social situations—another reason people “don’t see it.”

Showing fewer signs of repetitive behavior. This is one more reason why people “don’t see it.”

Why Care?

Aside from the “different box,” there is a practical reason to care about autism: It is a protected disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

It is illegal to discriminate against an autistic individual on the basis of their disability, as long as the person can perform the “essential functions” of the job, even if that requires some form of “reasonable accommodation.” I see room in both of those terms for potential loopholes, but attempting to circumvent the law could lead to legal challenges and harm an organization’s reputation.

Still, I hope that employers will hire and develop autistic talent for its value rather than focusing on its potential threats.

Steve Malerich has recently retired from full-time employment after 46 years—40 in life insurance companies and six in consulting. He remains active in professional volunteer work, serving on the Academy board, as vice president of the Risk Management and Financial Reporting Council, and as a writer.

[1] “Introversion and Autism: A Conceptual Exploration of the Placement of Introversion on the Autism Spectrum,” Jennifer Odessa Grimes, 2010.

[2] National Health Service, “Signs of autism in adults,” November 2022.

[3] “Neurotribes,” Steve Silberman, 2016.

[4] “Look Me in the Eye,” John Elder Robison, 2007.