German business software company SAP said it wants to hire programmers with autism, the BBC reports.

Autism is a neural development disorder characterized by repetitive and restricted behavior. It also affects the person's social and communication skills.

However, people with autism also often score high on IQ tests, and SAP thinks they have special skills which can help drive the company's innovation.

Pointint out that innovaction comes "from the edges," SAP exec Luisa Delgado said that "only by employing people who think differently and spark innovation will SAP be prepared to handle the challenges of the 21st century."

SAP, who is working on this initiative with Danish social organisation Specialisterne, has already hired six people with autism in its Bangalore office in India. By 2020, SAP plans for 1 percent of its 65,000-strong workforce to be people with autism.

What do you think of SAP's initiative? Should other companies take this approach as well? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Image courtesy of SAP