Waterlilies Mt Cootha Botanical Gardens Brisbane
Past Speaking Events
Work and Asperger's - Employing people with AS Dr Tony Attwood, Garry Burge, and Rachel Harris Asperger Services Australia Friday 24th September 2010 PowerPoint Presentation Autism Queensland - Insights and Perspectives Dr Kate Sofronoff and Garry Burge Friday 5th November 2010 PowerPoint Presentation CRS Australia (Commonwealth Rehabilitation Service) Garry Burge - Issues, challenges and employment for adults on the Autism Spectrum Wednesday 25th November 2010 PowerPoint Presentation Garry Burge interviewed by Arman Khodaei (Adult with Asperger Syndrome) The Language of Autism - Transition into employment as an Adult with Asperger Syndrome on Blog Talk Radio. Click here to listen to the interview Wednesday 3rd September 2003 Garry Burge & Dr Tony Attwood The Workplace and Asperger Syndrome |
Past Speaking Events on Radio
June 2011 - Autism Works, Newcastle, United Kingdom observe the work undertaken by Chris Mitchell (Adult with Asperger Syndrome and Peter MacDonald) For more information please visit Autism Works I hope to be speaking at Education Queensland early in 2011 and more updates soon concerning support and awareness for early intervention. Dr Tony Attwood has presentations which I would strongly encourage you to attend both in Australia and overseas. Autism Trust Ireland - Youtube Video March 12th 2011 Tuesday 15th February 2011 - Corinda State High School (Early Intervention of the Autism Spectrum) ABC 90.3 Coast FM - Friday 11th February 2011 Listen to Radio interview and Listen to Monday 9th May 2011 Interview Autism Queensland - Thursday 28th April 2011 - Autism Award & Speech Pine Rivers - Daybreak Rotary Club - Tuesday 3rd May 2011 6.45am to 8.15am - Please contact Murtza for more information or Email |
Conference Speaking
As I am an adult on the Autism Spectrum, I can provide a first hand account of the challenges and difficulties which I confront. I have recently written a book about my transition into employment as an adult with Asperger Syndrome. This book highlights my own struggles in knowing whether or not I should disclose my diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome. The book also discusses the difficulties I encountered while in secondary school. This book should be published early next year. It was after completing secondary school in 1991, that I found a lot of difficulty in obtaining employment and more importantly finding a disability employment agency which would assist me to be given a chance.
I have been successful in getting a program onto the "Voice of America" which was broadcast internationally and recently presented a podcast on the transition into employment as an adult with Asperger Syndrome. I have also spoken with Dr Tony Attwood on several occasions and met with high profile members of parliament. I am also passionate about seeing an Autism Bill passed in Australia similar to the Autism Bill which was passed in the United Kingdom in 2009. Other work I have been involved in has been the linking of adults on the Autism Spectrum from around the world on Skype (A voice over the internet service). My other presentations and raising awareness of Asperger Syndrome as an adult has been to schools, universities, Rotary Clubs and to a disability employment (CRS) here in Brisbane. I have worked in the Queensland Parliamentary Library, Qleave, and am currently working in the University of Queensland Library. Apart from this, I devote a lot of my time to awareness of Asperger Syndrome as an adult in Australia. I feel that society needs to know more about the Autism Spectrum and I feel if provided with a speaking opportunity, that I can help promote and raise more awareness to the community or to any organisation. Please me contact for more information to arrange for me to speak at your conference. I am interested in assisting with awareness in both children and adults.
Early intervention of Autism
Having been diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome later in life I feel that earlier intervention is crucial. In my own case I felt that having not had support and early intervention during what I call the 'critical years of development' has caused me to miss out on the necessary support to assist me in my adult life. The 'critical years of development' are what I term the essential building blocks within social development. These years range from about 9 years of age through to 23 years of age. It is in this period that a person is socialised within the school system and conditioned for the evolutionary stage into adulthood. In this period a person should be nurtured and supported within the school environment in order to find their special interest and build the foundations for career development. It is also a crucial period in developing relationships and forming friendships with people around them. I believe early intervention although not a cure does assist in overcoming some of the difficulties which may be experienced later in life. Again I am speaking from my own personal experience and it varies from person to person.
Adults with Autism
Disclosure of an Asperger Syndrome diagnosis is a personal choice. In my own life I believe that disclosure has helped me to understand myself better. A diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome has also helped me to come to terms with the world around me and where I exactly fit in and for people to understand me better. In terms of employment, I believe that in my own life disclosure of Asperger Syndrome to prospective employers has helped me to hold down and keep a job. I also have found that joining a disability employment agency has also been helpful in assisting me to obtain employment. For adults who have a diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome I believe there needs to be more awareness and support. This needs to be in the form of services and a general awareness from the community. As for adults who suspect or may not know they have Asperger Syndrome, then it is important that information is made available to them in order to assist improve their lives and the struggles they may have. Adults with Autism do exist and society needs to realise that Autism does not just disappear after schooling. Like children, adults on the Autism Spectrum need support in connecting to the community and being a part of it.
I have been successful in getting a program onto the "Voice of America" which was broadcast internationally and recently presented a podcast on the transition into employment as an adult with Asperger Syndrome. I have also spoken with Dr Tony Attwood on several occasions and met with high profile members of parliament. I am also passionate about seeing an Autism Bill passed in Australia similar to the Autism Bill which was passed in the United Kingdom in 2009. Other work I have been involved in has been the linking of adults on the Autism Spectrum from around the world on Skype (A voice over the internet service). My other presentations and raising awareness of Asperger Syndrome as an adult has been to schools, universities, Rotary Clubs and to a disability employment (CRS) here in Brisbane. I have worked in the Queensland Parliamentary Library, Qleave, and am currently working in the University of Queensland Library. Apart from this, I devote a lot of my time to awareness of Asperger Syndrome as an adult in Australia. I feel that society needs to know more about the Autism Spectrum and I feel if provided with a speaking opportunity, that I can help promote and raise more awareness to the community or to any organisation. Please me contact for more information to arrange for me to speak at your conference. I am interested in assisting with awareness in both children and adults.
Early intervention of Autism
Having been diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome later in life I feel that earlier intervention is crucial. In my own case I felt that having not had support and early intervention during what I call the 'critical years of development' has caused me to miss out on the necessary support to assist me in my adult life. The 'critical years of development' are what I term the essential building blocks within social development. These years range from about 9 years of age through to 23 years of age. It is in this period that a person is socialised within the school system and conditioned for the evolutionary stage into adulthood. In this period a person should be nurtured and supported within the school environment in order to find their special interest and build the foundations for career development. It is also a crucial period in developing relationships and forming friendships with people around them. I believe early intervention although not a cure does assist in overcoming some of the difficulties which may be experienced later in life. Again I am speaking from my own personal experience and it varies from person to person.
Adults with Autism
Disclosure of an Asperger Syndrome diagnosis is a personal choice. In my own life I believe that disclosure has helped me to understand myself better. A diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome has also helped me to come to terms with the world around me and where I exactly fit in and for people to understand me better. In terms of employment, I believe that in my own life disclosure of Asperger Syndrome to prospective employers has helped me to hold down and keep a job. I also have found that joining a disability employment agency has also been helpful in assisting me to obtain employment. For adults who have a diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome I believe there needs to be more awareness and support. This needs to be in the form of services and a general awareness from the community. As for adults who suspect or may not know they have Asperger Syndrome, then it is important that information is made available to them in order to assist improve their lives and the struggles they may have. Adults with Autism do exist and society needs to realise that Autism does not just disappear after schooling. Like children, adults on the Autism Spectrum need support in connecting to the community and being a part of it.
Asperger Services Australia Adult Meeting. I helped to start the group which reached 40 adults.
Publications where I am featured in and articles I have written.
Aquarmarine Blue - Personal Stories of College Students with Autism Edited by Dr Dawn Prince Hughes
Glass Half Empty Glass Half Full - How Asperger Syndrome Changed My Life by Chris Mitchell
Crickey I'm Eccentric (Currently writing)
Josie Santomauro Publishing - I appear in some publications.
My Account As An Aspie
Glass Half Empty Glass Half Full - How Asperger Syndrome Changed My Life by Chris Mitchell
Crickey I'm Eccentric (Currently writing)
Josie Santomauro Publishing - I appear in some publications.
My Account As An Aspie
Speaking at schools
Visit to St Edmund's College, Ipswich.
In August 2011 I was fortunate to have spoken to students on the Autism Spectrum at St Edmund's College Ipswich. My presentation was assisted by another adult on the Autism Spectrum - Michael Coles and I spoke to both students and teachers. My presentations run approximately for 1 hour and I ask for a small speaking charge which assists me in terms of getting to the venue and for organizing my power point presentation and for speaking.
Topics mainly cover my own experiences of having Asperger Syndrome and strategies for dealing with and understanding the Autism Spectrum within school and beyond when entering employment. For more information please contact me so that a time can be arranged for me to speak at your school.
Topics mainly cover my own experiences of having Asperger Syndrome and strategies for dealing with and understanding the Autism Spectrum within school and beyond when entering employment. For more information please contact me so that a time can be arranged for me to speak at your school.
Employment support
Chris Mitchell at Autism Works, Newcastle, United Kingdom
For any adult the transition from school into employment can be difficult. Also disability employment agencies may require additional or more information about the Autism Spectrum in adults. What services do I provide?
- Awareness of the benefits in employing adults on the Autism Spectrum
- Support in terms of raising awareness and issues that may need greater support and understanding
- Types of employment which may be suitable for adults on the Autism Spectrum
- Preparation for employment and how to deal with the interview process and selection criteria
- Other training and support services which may be required as well as conference speaking
- Information relating to employers that employ adults on the Autism Spectrum.
- Strategies to assist adults on the Autism Spectrum in adapting to the work environment.
