What made me become an Asperger Syndrome advocate?
Niagara Falls 2008
The main reasons I became an Asperger Syndrome advocate was mainly because of the immense frustration I have experienced in people not understanding just exactly what Asperger Syndrome is and how it affects me. Since my diagnosis I have been in both the situations of either pretending I did not have Asperger Syndrome or whether I should just accept the fact that I do and make people and society more aware. I grew tired of people not really understanding my way of thinking and behaving. I got tired of trying to pretend that I was regular when in fact I was individual and saw things in my own way.The advocacy of Asperger Syndrome began just after my diagnosis. I contacted politicians and persons in the community whom I believed could help assist and understand me and others on the Autism Spectrum better. Just after my diagnosis, I helped form the Asperger Syndrome Support Network Adult Group. As I was an adult I wanted to find out if I was alone or whether or not there were other adults within Brisbane or Australia and the indeed the rest of the world. This group eventually grew to approximately 45 members. It initially began with 5 and grew to 45 members over a two-year period.
It took me some years to accept my Asperger Syndrome diagnosis and I have grown to accept it and try my best to live with it. My life has been interesting as well as challenging. I have completed a university degree, been in a long distance relationship with a female on the Autism Spectrum in the United States, attempted a PhD and more importantly, helped set up the University of Queensland Asperger Adult Group. I was also successful at being appointed to the University of Queensland Disability Sub-Committee as Staff Representative (Application attached) in 2010. I was also elected to the Board of Asperger Services Australia.
I am also motivated in advocacy as I am tired of the growing numbers of adults on the Autism Spectrum who are unable to find employment. It saddens me when I see so many talented and diverse individuals simply unable to find or enter employment. They are not able to have a quality of life and I feel it a duty to try and assist them in anyway possible to find employment. To assist me with this, I will be visiting the United Kingdom in June 2011 to observe the work of Autism Works in Newcastle in the United Kingdom. It would be good if Australia were to follow the lead of Autism Works or the Danish Company who also employs adults with Autism as software testers, known as Specialisterne. Advocacy work can often be tiring but I try to do my best. Myself and other adults from around the world can only do our best to get the message out there. Please be sure to join Brisbane Asperger Syndrome Adults on Facebook and this group is also linked from Dr Tony Attwood's website http://www.tonyattwood.com.au/
Concerns have been raised especially from Dr Tony Attwood, myself and others concerning proposed changes to the DSM 5 doing away with a diagnostic criteria of Asperger Syndrome altogether which is mentioned on Wikipedia DSM 5. Should you be concerned please visit the external links of the DSM 5 as the external links provide contact information for The American Psychiatric Association website and their latest Press Release. Adults with Asperger Syndrome including myself are very concerned as doing away with an Asperger Syndrome diagnosis as it will mean we will lose access to important support and services. Also many adults identify themselves as being "Aspie" and how can the term Mild Autism be something we can identify with?! Dr Tony Attwood DSM 5.
It took me some years to accept my Asperger Syndrome diagnosis and I have grown to accept it and try my best to live with it. My life has been interesting as well as challenging. I have completed a university degree, been in a long distance relationship with a female on the Autism Spectrum in the United States, attempted a PhD and more importantly, helped set up the University of Queensland Asperger Adult Group. I was also successful at being appointed to the University of Queensland Disability Sub-Committee as Staff Representative (Application attached) in 2010. I was also elected to the Board of Asperger Services Australia.
I am also motivated in advocacy as I am tired of the growing numbers of adults on the Autism Spectrum who are unable to find employment. It saddens me when I see so many talented and diverse individuals simply unable to find or enter employment. They are not able to have a quality of life and I feel it a duty to try and assist them in anyway possible to find employment. To assist me with this, I will be visiting the United Kingdom in June 2011 to observe the work of Autism Works in Newcastle in the United Kingdom. It would be good if Australia were to follow the lead of Autism Works or the Danish Company who also employs adults with Autism as software testers, known as Specialisterne. Advocacy work can often be tiring but I try to do my best. Myself and other adults from around the world can only do our best to get the message out there. Please be sure to join Brisbane Asperger Syndrome Adults on Facebook and this group is also linked from Dr Tony Attwood's website http://www.tonyattwood.com.au/
Concerns have been raised especially from Dr Tony Attwood, myself and others concerning proposed changes to the DSM 5 doing away with a diagnostic criteria of Asperger Syndrome altogether which is mentioned on Wikipedia DSM 5. Should you be concerned please visit the external links of the DSM 5 as the external links provide contact information for The American Psychiatric Association website and their latest Press Release. Adults with Asperger Syndrome including myself are very concerned as doing away with an Asperger Syndrome diagnosis as it will mean we will lose access to important support and services. Also many adults identify themselves as being "Aspie" and how can the term Mild Autism be something we can identify with?! Dr Tony Attwood DSM 5.
It is important to be wise like an owl.
Being wise is always important
An an adult on the Autism Spectrum day to day living can be difficult and maintaining a budget also. What advice and assistance can I suggest?
- Ensure that the person sticks to a budget
- Spend money only where and when necessary.
- Find access to affordable accommodation which is within your income range
- When traveling stick to a budget that is not beyond your current income situation
- Purchase clothing that will last and don't spend money unnecessarily
- Stick to a shopping list and only purchase food that is necessary for daily or weekly living
Adam
"Adam" is a movie about a man with Asperger Syndrome. Adam lives on his own having lost his father and tries to understand the world around him. He meets a girl, and finds entering a relationship very difficult. Adam also is looking for employment having just lost his job. He finds the world very lonely, nobody understands him and more importantly he does not understand them.The movie "Adam" is well worth watching. It provides an insight into Asperger Syndrome as an adult and I would strongly encourage anybody to watch the trailer on youtube or see the movie.
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Obtaining a diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome
For anyone who believes they or may know of anyone who may believe they have Asperger Syndrome I believe the best course of action would be to either purchase or borrow a copy of Dr Tony Attwood's latest book "The Complete Guide to Asperger Syndrome". This book should be able to help you ascertain and assimilate information to assist you with any answers you may have.
I am not able to diagnose a person as having Asperger Syndrome but I can provide you with my own experiences to help assist you as best I can. I believe that Dr Tony Attwood's book is best as the information comes from Dr Tony Attwood who is a primary source and who also has a wealth of information and experience.
I am aware of Asperger Syndrome online tests and you may want to visit Asperger Test but again I would be guided by Dr Tony Attwood's book.
Autism is not always defined as a "Rain Man Syndrome"
Autism can sometimes be associated with the Dustin Hoffman Character, Raymond Babbitt in the movie "Rain Man". I would like to point out that this is not always the case and that the Autism Spectrum affects individuals differently. For instance there are some persons on the Autism Spectrum who have the means to communicate but find it difficult to understand and navigate the social world around them and can appear to be quite sociable whereas other individuals on the Autism Spectrum may excel in certain areas, for example maths, science and being experts in this field and have poor social skills. Other persons with Autism may simply struggle with day to day function and try to get by in life as best they can. In order to understand and dispel the "Rain Man Syndrome" I would encourage anyone to watch the movie "Adam". This movie portrays a different experience of an adult existing on the Autism Spectrum. Not all persons on the Autism Spectrum are like "Rain Man" and as much as I do not like to use the term low or high functioning, what needs important emphasis is that there are varying degrees of Autism and Dr Tony Attwood's work is able to clarify the Autism Spectrum as a whole.
I am not able to diagnose a person as having Asperger Syndrome but I can provide you with my own experiences to help assist you as best I can. I believe that Dr Tony Attwood's book is best as the information comes from Dr Tony Attwood who is a primary source and who also has a wealth of information and experience.
I am aware of Asperger Syndrome online tests and you may want to visit Asperger Test but again I would be guided by Dr Tony Attwood's book.
Autism is not always defined as a "Rain Man Syndrome"
Autism can sometimes be associated with the Dustin Hoffman Character, Raymond Babbitt in the movie "Rain Man". I would like to point out that this is not always the case and that the Autism Spectrum affects individuals differently. For instance there are some persons on the Autism Spectrum who have the means to communicate but find it difficult to understand and navigate the social world around them and can appear to be quite sociable whereas other individuals on the Autism Spectrum may excel in certain areas, for example maths, science and being experts in this field and have poor social skills. Other persons with Autism may simply struggle with day to day function and try to get by in life as best they can. In order to understand and dispel the "Rain Man Syndrome" I would encourage anyone to watch the movie "Adam". This movie portrays a different experience of an adult existing on the Autism Spectrum. Not all persons on the Autism Spectrum are like "Rain Man" and as much as I do not like to use the term low or high functioning, what needs important emphasis is that there are varying degrees of Autism and Dr Tony Attwood's work is able to clarify the Autism Spectrum as a whole.
The Autism Spectrum and Early Intervention in school information package.
