New job Q, wwyd?

[ILoveflapjacks]

I have applied for a new job that I really, really want and need peoples opinions on if I should be straight or not with the question on why I think I would be the best person for the job.

Perhaps the most important quality of the person needed for this job is the ability to connect with the child, who is severely autistic. I would say that my strongest point which allows me to have a excellent rapport with the children I work with is my own (high functioning) autism.

I think with my experiance and references alone I stand a very good chance of getting the job but I think my ability to connect with severely autistic children would secure the position. My concers however are that I could potentially scare off the the childs parents with this information. I view my autism as a very good skill with the children I work with and allows me to have far more productive intensive interaction sessions than anyone I work with as I am so on the childs level in many ways that I can very easily get into their world and can have complete understanding of the things that they do.

So, as a parent interviewing a candidate, would you see them having autism themselves as an asset or might that put you off?

It depends, honestly if your autism means (as I know it does for my ds) that you ahve trouble seeing things from another persons perspective then that may be a bit of a problem BUT on the other hand it may mean that you really are able to "get" my ds & understand why he struggles in certain situations & more imprtantly offer strategies to help.
TBH its the same as ANY 2 people its all about how well they connect and understand each other ASD or not.
Either way honesty is always the best policy.

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Justaboutblowingbubbles, I am more concerned with the first impressions thing than anything else. My autism mainly presents itself to people that have no idea as someone who is a perfectionist.

Anonandlikeit and Northernsky, thinking outside the box is something I am use to as I have had to come up with many coping stratagies over the years for various things and can understand why someone has difficulties in certian areas, especially if its something that I had or have problems with.

Tribunalgoer, thanks for that, absolutly right and something that I will include.

I agree with everything said I would really value anyone who might be able to help me understand ds (no dx yet)and therefore help him.

However I have a friend who is in complete denial over her ds and actively avoids talking about his autism or acting on professionals advice. I suspect she would be put off but she and her ds desperately need some insight and help.