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Tech Company Looking To Fill Open Jobs With Adults With Autism

By Ian Bush

NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. (CBS) -- SAP, the software giant with a North American headquarters in Newtown Square, is looking for people with autism to fill hundreds of tech jobs.

The benefits of such a recruitment push go both ways, says SAP spokesman Jim Dever.

"There's certainly a need out there in terms of people looking for employment, but we also think from an employer's perspective, there are advantages to be gained," Dever explained.

SAP is working with a Danish company, Specialisterne, to find and train the right people for the jobs -- taking advantage of the skills unique to some of those with the developmental disorder.

"Particular to the software industry, we have some roles that can be very well-performed by people with autism. That would include software testing, programming, and data management," Dever said.

Dever says the program will expand from a small trial run in India and Ireland to the United States, Canada and Germany this year.

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