Aspiritech

Founded in 2008, Aspiritech is a non-profit organization in the Chicago area that trains and directly employs individuals with high-functioning autism. These individuals possess skills desired in the high tech business world such as attention to detail, technical aptitude, and the ability to excel in a highly-repetitive task environment, yet many have impairments in social or communication areas. For these reasons, Aspiritech has found that some information technology careers, such as software testing, could be a source of meaningful employment for individuals with high-functioning autism.

Aspiritech test engineers provide regression, exploratory, compatibility, user acceptance, functional and system testing, as well as test automation and test script development. Individuals who are accepted into Aspiritech's training program learn software testing through a unique and rigorous hands-on curriculum. Successful trainees are then hired by Aspiritech as test engineers and supported on an ongoing basis by autism specialists and managers. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in a wide range of social enrichment and fitness activities provided by Aspiritech staff.

Aspiritech's mission is to provide a path for high-functioning individuals on the autism spectrum to realize their potential through meaningful employment.

As of 2013, Aspiritech has 15 employees with high-functioning autism and has worked with more than 20 clients from a wide range of industries, including IBM, Empire Today, and Cars.com