What was seen as a hurdle is now a prerequisite as companies see the benefits of employing workers who are on the autism spectrum.

Information technology and cyber security organisations have discovered employees with autism are perfect for high attention to detail roles.

And in what is believed to be a world-first for the agricultural industry, Sunpork Farms has advertised for eight animal husbandry and welfare positions — but as a prerequisite, applicants must provide medical proof that they are on the autism spectrum.

Autism at a glance ASD is a group of neurobiological disorders affecting a person's communication and social abilities

ASD is a group of neurobiological disorders affecting a person's communication and social abilities ASD affects about one in 160 children, with boys four times more likely to be affected than girls

ASD affects about one in 160 children, with boys four times more likely to be affected than girls Symptoms are different in each person affected but can include repetitive behaviours, difficulty relating to people, and sensitivity to stimulation including touch, sounds and sight

Symptoms are different in each person affected but can include repetitive behaviours, difficulty relating to people, and sensitivity to stimulation including touch, sounds and sight Symptoms can appear as early as the first year of life

Symptoms can appear as early as the first year of life There is no cure but can be managed with appropriate and early intervention

There is no cure but can be managed with appropriate and early intervention Genetic and environmental factors are being investigated as the cause which as yet is undetermined

Genetic and environmental factors are being investigated as the cause which as yet is undetermined The rates of ASD are the same in both vaccinated and non-vaccinated populations ABC Health and Wellbeing

Dr Robert van Barneveld, managing director and group CEO for Sunpork Farms, said this unusual recruitment decision was made after seeing the success of other Specialisterne projects.

Dr van Barneveld consulted with the Autism Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) and then developed the Autism and Agriculture CRC.

"Prior to embarking on this program we'd had a number of industry workshops about priorities, and investing in people with a high attention to detail was one," Dr van Barneveld said.

"We've found a way that we might be able to accommodate that in quite an innovative way."

Tech giants already on board

Technology companies Hewlett Packard, Microsoft and Google currently seek out employees on the spectrum for IT and software testing positions.

The Department of Immigration and Border Protection has also sought out people with autism for specific roles in the past.

But Dr van Barneveld said to his knowledge this type of targeted recruitment for animal husbandry roles had not been done anywhere else in the world.

"These are specialist positions that we are putting in place — they'll be filled by the best candidates and paid a full wage for the job they have been employed to do," Dr van Barneveld said.

Dr van Barneveld said it made good business sense to seek out employees who were focussed, comfortable with routine and eager to work.

"This is by no means a charitable exercise," he said.

He said so far five people with autism had been recruited for positions in the boning room and "that is working out very, very well".

Five people have been employed in animal welfare positions already. ( Landline: ABC TV )

He said the hardest part of introducing the program to date was limiting the opportunity to just eight people.

Genuine diversity program

Autism SA CEO Jenny Karavolos said it was an exciting time for people with autism who were seeking work.

"We talk about, in other organisations, diversity and inclusion — this is a genuine attempt at recognising that everyone has something to contribute," she said.

Ms Karavolos said with autism becoming the fastest growing diagnosed disability in Australia, it made sense to develop targeted recruitment programs such as this one.

"It's not about being autistic; it's about recognising the best use of someone's skills," she said.

"This is not a token gesture of employment."

Dr van Barneveld said all eight roles were expected to be filled by early 2017.

The company also plans to share their experiences with other industries interested in recruiting people with autism.