The RFID Attention To Detail

It is interesting now that libraries are moving to the RFID option. Quite simply from my own understanding RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification.  When this process is implemented and executed, it is designed to give the library user access over checking out their own library items and more importantly from what I understand. The process allows items to be scanned on the shelves in order to ensure that items remain in order.

The process itself needs careful attention to detail for items  need to be inserted and placed so as to not ensure difficulty with reading information and processing.  Furthermore, activation of the tags provides that regular scanning can occur to maintain a library collection.  Within this role as a much earlier role of converting audio visual information from cassette to DVD, careful attention to detail is required.

For any library it is important that a collection is carefully maintained and reflects thoroughly the very audience that it targets.  I am not sure in how many libraries the conversion to RFID is taking place.  It would be interesting to know.  When I visited the University of Otago Library in New Zealand for instance, I noticed a difference in the layout of the library and the way the library was set up for students and patrons.  I noticed lower shelving for items and fewer floors.  Also the Eudoram works over there providing free and unlimited Internet Access.  I also briefly met with some staff members in the library as well as visiting the Psychology Department to see how many students on the Autism Spectrum existed.  It would have been good to know more about the University of Otago and how its library operated.  Not sure if the University of Otago Library is converting its books to RFID as yet?  Perhaps they may or may not be.

The RFID process is an interesting process and only time may tell how well and effective it will be both now and into the future?  What is of paramount importance though is careful attention to detail and focus to ensure that the process works smoothly and does not contain any faults.  Perhaps a good task for an adult on the Autism Spectrum?

Meeting Irina from Equine Assisted Therapy

Meeting with Ivana - Equine Assisted Therapy

This morning was a busy morning.  I arranged to meet with Irina Aleksandrova from Equine Assisted Therapy.  It as a productive meeting despite it being a cool Autumn day in Brisbane with a westerly wind blowing. 


Irina is doing work with children on the Autism Spectrum and assisting them to better function not only in themselves but in society through horse therapy. This mainly involves a connection with horses and a means of stimulating brain function by riding and associating with horses.  Dr Temple Grandin has mentioned how people with Autism can better function with animals and there is even evidence to prove that dolphins can help people with Autism as well.  I would be interested if SeaWorld or some other aquatic park was able to provide some interest in this so something can be kick started.


Irina is from Russia and has lived in Australia for approximately 15 years and is married to a Ukrainian.  She has a paddock in suburban Brisbane where she has approximately 4 horses with enough room to ride them.  I am offering to assist Irina by putting her in touch with the Brisbane Aspie (Asperger's Syndrome) Adult Group in Brisbane.  It may be a good activity for adults to connect with adults and connect to a setting that may prove both relaxing and therapeutic.  As Irina will be travelling to Russia for a month in May, we hope to have an event happening in nearby Yeerongpilly where the paddock and horses can be found?


In my Autism advocacy work, I often wonder how the school system can be better catered for in understanding Autism better.  It seems to me that better awareness is needed in being able to accommodate Autism within such an educational setting.  It seems to me that people are conditioned to think and function in a way that may be excluding Autism functioning.  This is putting persons on the Autism Spectrum at a disadvantage when trying to learn and have skills and abilities utilised.  I just wonder if better awareness can be achieved by implementing Autism awareness within the school curriculum? 


As I spoke to Irina, it concerned both she and I that although there is support for children, there is still very little for adults and for children transitioning into adulthood.  I continually try to raise awareness of this very need and have put my name down for the Autism CRC one day workshop and providing input into the Autism MOOC.  Still a lot more needs to be done. 


Wherever I go I raise awareness of Autism but sadly still so many people need a better understanding of what is like being an adult with Autism.  I hope that the future gets better and with more awareness a great deal more can be done. 


My work will continue to assist in raising awareness of Autism and I am happy to work with Irina and seeing how we can get more involvement so as to assist in better functioning of persons on the Autism Spectrum.  Once again please stay tuned for updates.


Please also note that we now welcome on board Matthew Watson who is trained in Information Technology and on the Autism Spectrum here in Brisbane.  Matthew will be helping to bring software testing to Brisbane in the not too distant future.


Garry Burge


www.garryburge.com


Please remember to Like my Page on Facebook as myself and other adults need your support. 

Meeting with the Lord Mayor and Autism awareness.

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Adults on the Autism Spectrum taking a positive lead. Meeting with Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk

Today I begin this post by knowing that further awareness and progress has been made allowing adults to take a positive lead in our own efforts.  Since my own diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome by Dr Tony Attwood in 1998, I can now leave the suffocation of feeling totally alone which once consumed me.  Now I can sit back and see other adults building upon their own foundations and knowing the future generations of people with Autism have a positive future to look forward too. It concerns me deeply when I hear from so many parents, families and even adults wondering what the future will be like.  It makes me often feel overwhelmed and frustrated that I cannot do more but now I know that the future is looking better.  The most important thing though is finding employment.  To assist with this, I continue to network in my own spare time on both Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.  I also upload Youtube videos of the advocacy work I do in Autism.  I know that I may not speak for all adults but what I do believe is that life can be better for those of us with Autism.




It has been very rewarding seeing both Ben Wilshire and Chris Lovell grow as well as Blake Connolly and other adults whom I work with.  They have grown in confidence and now taking an active lead in getting the message out there.  However there still remains the need for more progress.  This includes employment opportunities and providing the support, awareness and infrastructure to helping the younger generations.  I believe that sensory issues and awareness need greater attention and awareness.  I know that employment still remains a challenge.  Recently I connect with Robert Tedesco who is an adult with Asperger Syndrome in HP Packard in South Australia.  I am working with Robert and encouraging him to start and write his own blog which he has now created.  I also need to acknowledge Jeannette Perkins and Nathan Selove who are also assisting in raising awareness of Asperger Syndrome in adults. 


 Please be sure to visit Jeanette and Nathan on Facebook who are both adults on the Autism Spectrum who are making pioneering efforts in raising awareness.  It is good to know that I am not alone nor the adults I am working with being alone.


In the meantime please stay tuned for further updates and please be sure to support and Like my Page on Facebook. 



Regards


Garry Burge


www.garryburge.com 

Why leadership skills are important

The difficulty in today's world is that there is a lack of role models and leadership skills in young people.

To begin this post I wanted to examine whether more leadership skills are needed to make for a better world.  I find it ironic that for a person who is supposedly lacking in social skills, and communication skills that myself and others with Autism are seen as somehow defective.  I would like to inform you however that over the years in order to communicate and confront barriers with everyday chit chat, that learning communication skills has been a constant challenge.  In order to ensure that with students that they obtain the support they need and patrons, communication is something which really needs a great deal of professional output.  This comes in the form of making sure what the person wants is fulfilled to the best of my ability.  This involves encouraging the person to think and to enquire in their first for knowledge. Although the coming days remain uncertain and there is a real possibility that redundancy may be a reality, I know that all I can do is to focus on the present and to deliver the best I can.  Despite being worn down over the years and being told what can't be done instead of what can, I try my best to remain always optimistic.

Making friends has not been easy but over the years I have tried my best to focus on my own achievements and mentors around me that continue to offer support wherever they can.  I have some good friends on the Autism Spectrum and it is good to know that I can share experiences and journeys with like minds.  Friendship is important to a person on the Autism Spectrum because a lack of peers and friends while growing up has meant an absence in talking about for instance the challenges and issues of being male is like.  I always struggled not having friends and more importantly having the trust to share experiences, anxieties and concerns.  Understanding persons of the opposite sex has especially been a challenge because I never could share or find the necessary means through a lack of a social circle to grow in this direction.  People are often confused by the way my mind works because I always want to expand my friend base and wanting to do this within your own gender has created some confusion over the years.  Although I do regard myself as heterosexual the pressures placed upon me in my mid life can often be overwhelming.  I can sometimes attract to persons of the opposite sex who may be married or in a relationship.  With my mind however thinking within a conservative constraint, I know the responsibilities of trying to understand boundaries.  I guess there is a part of me that still wants to fit in with other men and belong to the male tribe but what I find frustrating is the absence of culture and intellectual curiosity.  I don't really have the coordination to be good at sport or other physical activity and I am not really that motivated to self reflect on parts of my torso which are supposedly 'chick magnets'.  These of course being abdominal and bicep attributes.  It makes one wonder within an academic setting whether such attributes are necessary given the emphasis on the mind and its supposed first for knowledge. 

I find it frustrating that within younger generations that many men and I guess women fail in leadership skills.  One of the best attributes within employment is good leadership skills and confidence.  I try my best to encourage others younger than me to be guided by what I learnt and taught myself in terms of leadership skills.  Having an emphasis on communication and getting the message across is essential.  I find it frustrating however that as a person who has Autism that I am not seen as a so called expert. You would think that being Autistic and having the condition yourself that you would be the first port of call when it comes to others wanting to know more, more so than asking a person who possesses a PhD or some other qualification?  Furthermore, I seem unable to train others and guide them with my own experiences in life because I do not possess a piece of paper that illustrates my credentials.  I hope someday that I will be able to mentor others and be some kind of role model for now and the future.  Younger generations of people need good mentoring and furthermore they need to be built up.  Nothing is more important than job leadership skills. What do you think of this video despite it being from the 1950s?  Does it teach you anything? 

Over the coming months, I hope to find ways to make having Autism more positive.  I also ask that for future support that you please support my page on Facebook and visit my website www.garryburge.com

More updates soon! 

Despite the world remaining constantly confusing I will do my best to deliver to others and make for a positive future. 



Making the learning experience a more productive one.

In order to make minds think and to provide better learning and outcome.  The setting needs to be open to access and outcome.  A patron needs to be able to walk in and away with a sense of feeling that their needs are met and furthermore the environment both positive and friendly.  A sense of learning should be a continual learning curb that requires the outlay of necessary infrastructure and proper training.  From visiting and having exposure to many libraries around the world by either accessing their catalogues electronically or visiting them physically, the different layout and settings always stand out.  For instance it is interesting to know what library classification is used whether this be the Library of Congress or the Dewey Decimal System.  Furthermore, how well are staff trained and just how much do they put themselves out and go out of their way to allow for a better means of accessing material, resources and reference information? 


For any person, particularly a student, visiting an academic setting should always create a sense of an environment of learning.  This may include assistance with finding material on shelves, by means of an online catalogue or more importantly a mind which maybe hungry for more knowledge and information.  It can be hard for a library to be the complete depository of every available means of information, but with the right thinking, accessing and furthering of finding information, it can provide a better means of acquisition.   It should be essential that for any library user that where they wish to acquire information meet the standards of their academic institution.  A place of learning provides a positive setting for thinking minds and for such minds to give in return knowledge and information obtained. 




How can a library be made more interactive?

The focus today is on information being more and more accessible online.  This in itself changes the traditional infrastructure of an academic or a traditional library.  Gone are the days when the librarian sitting behind the desk would be ever present.  Now the library has changed with old books making way for online content.  There seems to be a greater means of information but an overwhelming sense that too much information can be difficult for the mind to access and fathom.  Therefore it is necessary to provide a setting where such information can be both stored and channel in a means palatable to the library user or patron.  The question that needs to be raised is how can such needs be catered for in the ever changing setting.  Working in a library is a constant changing experience.  A person needs to be switched on and always on top of changing information and the very demands which may be expected.  The library environment also provides a means of self training and finding ways of communicating information to library users.  Feeling frustrated at not being able to assist users needs to be replaced instead with a means of making a library patron feel valued and their time invested in gathering information, properly actioned and problem solved.  Just because a book may not appear on a shelf doesn't mean that the service stops there but rather what help can be further provided so that the library patron doesn't walk away with a feeling of frustration and a sense of loss.  Online material needs to balance itself with hardcopy information.  Although academic institutions may work overtime to keep up and deliver, it is best that continual feedback and positive energy flows so that accessibility may be possible. As well as a positive setting, experience and self learning can overcome areas where help may not succeed. 


In conclusion, there are many advantages that an academic setting can provide.  Other than being a store house of knowledge, it can further provide a place for persons on the Autism Spectrum to function and express our eccentricity and capabilities.  Within an academic setting, one cannot help but notice the many undiagnosed Aspies that seem ubiquitous.  Perhaps the academic setting may provide the necessary means of putting persons on the Autism Spectrum to good use?  What are you thoughts?


The passing of another Aspie Icon

When I heard about the news that Leonard Nimoy had passed away, better known as Mr Spock I felt as though just like I did when Robin Williams passed away, the same also was to occur with Leonard Nimoy.




Was Mr Spock an Aspie Icon?

I never really watched many episodes of Star Trek but I always remember the persona of Mr Spock.  He was different and he had a geek way about him.  Just like Robin Williams, Leonard Nimoy also left an impression.  I also remember watching the episodes of "In Search Of" when I was a teenager.  In this series, Leonard Nimoy often ventured into the supernatural and the unexplained.  I now wonder to myself if Leonard has been able to receive all the answers to the complex questions he once wanted answers to?


When watching Leonard Nimoy, I often wondered what led him to have an intellectually curious mind?  He seemed to play the Spock character but also invested time and energy into documentaries as in the case of "In Search Of"  I used to think how awesome it would be to have a documentary show like this and travel the world investigating unexplained phenomena.  Leonard even visited Australia to conduct his series on UFO Australia and New Zealand


As I become older myself I often think back to the 1980's to when I see myself as a younger and more different person to the man I am today.  If I was to meet who I was in the 1980's, I would probably be somewhat shocked to know how much I have grown and changed since then.  I certainly was a different person. 


Rest In Peace Mr Spock as I think you gave an Aspie a means of identity and a place in the world.  There will never be anyone else like you.  

Being involved in research and working within an academic setting

I have now enrolled in the MOOC program being offered by Swinburne University.  For more information please visit Autism MOOC at Swinburne University.  The course starts from 2nd April 2015 and I hope to be able to provide input.  I am going to try my best to raise awareness of adult issues. On Wednesday 18th March 2015, I will also be attending a presentation offered by the QBI   It is here that I will be finding out and meeting speakers concerning Autism.  

I am finding that I am handling multi tasking in certain ways and furthermore I am noticing my brain is working a lot harder in processing information.  I also find myself often functioning on an intellectual platform more so than a social one.  This does create a sense of being mentally drained but I just feel that I am alive at least more so than surviving in a vacuum of a lack of intellectual curiosity.  

Are universities places for the eccentric and for the Autistic?

I am starting to make friends now and am meeting some new friends. Some are like me in that they can relate to similar challenges and struggles.  The reality I find is that a tertiary setting is really an Aspie haven.  Both Aspies diagnosed and not diagnosed seem to exist.  Thinking may be similar and their are also pockets of eccentricity that can be found.  The thing I find is that I seem to function better within an academic setting but out of it, my brain tends to struggle more.  I also have made a new friend and like me this friend also can relate to the challenges I go through.  

This blog post will be updated in due course as I am now just starting to get the ball rolling with some new ideas and concepts. 

Getting the disabled into work

Recently the Australian Federal Government has announced reform to the welfare system.  It is not the first time that this has happened but once again a repeated scenario. What if anything will it achieve?  In this blog post I attempt to identify wherever possible the scenarios and suggest possible strategies to deal with them.

It is a wrongful and false judgement to say that people with disabilities do not want to work and stay on pensions.  The truth of the matter is that workplaces are not always understanding nor accommodating of people with disabilities.  I hear time and time again from people through my own advocacy work of being sacked or bullied in workplaces causing them to either be sacked, or worn down to the point of resignation.  There are many issues that need to be addressed with the bias not always in the favour of employers and disadvantaging employees.

Should attitudes of workplaces shift to become more inclusive of people with disabilities?

From my own experiences in the past of finding employment, just sheer motivation alone cannot always guarantee employment.  There needs to be inclusion from workplaces.  Below I have identified some key areas where I think change of attitudes are required. 

• The wage system and working conditions. 

Is Australia's wage system archaic and out of date?  Should there be a more flexible minimum wage and more opportunity for individual agreements?    There still seems to be a system which primarily focus on the 9 to 5 work model.  Despite criticism which I no doubt may receive, why cannot such working conditions be changed?  Not only is urban traffic a real nightmare but surely staggered or individual working agreements would prevent the clogging and congestion of roads and make people  happier?   Furthermore, a negotiable minimum wage which I believe has just been introduced into New Zealand, would allow a foot in the door for new young entry level workers and provide them the means to enter the workforce.   A shift or more so a focus on a person's means of productivity would also be something worth considering as well?    

Rather than the government slashing pensions, why not tax less employers and business as well as reducing red tape to allow for a means of growing business so that they can increase productivity and take on more employees.  If the government want the citizens to pay tax then why not allow the citizens to work, make a contribution and furthermore pay taxes which would also assist and invest in greater disability infrastructure.  Furthermore a total review of the perks and entitlements that politicians also receive may be something which needs better scrutiny as well?

• What role can  unions play as well as management?

In order to make a working environment more compliant for people with disabilities should unions work more closely with management to ensure employees with disabilities are given a 'fair go' which is often used as a term in Australia within employment?  This would mean quite simply that working conditions and tasks within employment could be made manageable for the employee to undertake.  Furthermore more work trials and in house learning could provide opportunity for people with disabilities, particularly those with Autism to have a hands on go within the labour market.  I think getting the ball rolling with discussion would be one way to move forward. 

In order to have a healthy and happy workplace you first of all need good and strong management as well as clear communication within a workplace.  A clear adherence to guidelines, safe workplace practices etc are also essential.  

• How can Autism be sold or seen as a positive in a workplace?

Adults on the Autism Spectrum are many and varied which is why it is called a 'spectrum' in the first place.  There is often strong attention to detail and a focus on undertaking tasks more so than chit chat which can demonstrate an attention to detail mindset which is like a German work ethic.  

The problem I think though is the non Aspie setup of the majority of workplaces which rely more on a social engineering pattern.  This quite simply meaning that within the work environment there is a lot of emphasis on a person's social skills more so than abilities which falls within the confines of the interview and selection process to employ candidates.  A candidate can perform exceptionally within a social skills context at the interview but in terms of productivity they may be lacking.  

• The role of employment agencies in assisting candidates in finding employment. 

It can be hard and tiring work to utilize disability employment agencies.  This is unfortunately due to the nature of how disability is perceived within Australia.  Quite simply if you don't cut the mustard you just don't get a look in.  Furthermore Autism is unlike any other disability because the challenges lay mainly with cognitive ability more so than physical impairment.  A person with a mobility impairment may have some struggles within a workspace but these can be modified although I do think this has a long way to go for how many people in wheelchairs and with other physical challenges do you see within a work environment?  The challenges with Autism are that a person can become physically drained, struggle more to combat sensory issues and work extra hard in navigating infrastructure that may represent distinct challenges.  I know that certain noises and sensory issues as well as diet can impact significantly on my own functioning abilities.  I have been in contact with Steven J Orfield of Orfield Labs to look at ways of making a workplace more accommodating.  Sadly there has been no interest at all from Australia.  

In conclusion, what needs to be done to get people with disabilities into employment is not a slashing of welfare but more so an investment in positive attitudes to encourage greater participation of people with disabilities into employment. Attitudes of employers needs to change and furthermore infrastructure and investment in infrastructure needs a greater emphasis.  I have also been disappointed with Autism organisations who simply turn a blind eye to the needs of adults with Autism instead investing time into their own agenda and sucking up for grants to employ people who demonstrate little overall result in making the lives of adults with Autism and children better.  

The government needs to tax less, reduce red tape and allow business to get on with the job of employing people by allowing more expansion and encouraging more incentive and innovation to employ.  This doesn't seem to be happening in Australia as more people are stressed and compared to New Zealand where I think the government is trying to make things better (bound to receive criticism no doubt) Australia exists in a time warp.  

Finally an inclusion of adults on the Autism Spectrum is needed in policy making, decision making and such decisions should not rest with people who pretend to know the needs of adults.  Adults with Autism need to be involved in this does not mean the possession of a PhD or other qualification.  It just means lived and shared experience.  

Should you have any advice, suggestions or feedback please don't hesitate to share these.

Just a Rant!

One of the benefits in life is the means of travel.  One of the hardest things is being able to afford enough money to go overseas and get out of Australia!  I have been fortunate to visit many overseas destinations and avoid such mediocre and boring expressions of "she'll be right mate", "No Worries" and being called mate too often.  In my opinion using the word mate is a put down.  It attempts to pull rank and not allow anyone to rise above or break the mold so to speak.

I don't see any problems with introducing the Honours System but like the currency, it needs a total reform.  People of experience with professional background as well as others should be selected.  Too often recognition seems to go not to people who really deserve them.  I can think of many people I know who work tremendously hard who just don't seem to get a mention at all. In terms of Knighthoods, why couldn't Ben Roberts Smith, Barry Humphries, Ken Rosewell or Judith Durham receive one?  Surely worthy Australians who have contributed to society are worthy?

I would suggest reviewing the Honours System having a two tiered system similar to what has happened in New Zealand as well as looking at the way New Zealand has reformed its coins.

I also believe that Australia's currency is in need of reform.  All coins should be reformed with the 5c going out of circulation.  The 50c piece should really be roughly the size of the $2 coin with smaller coins being less in size.  Keep the $1 coin the same but for other coins make them smaller so that the coins don't look at of sync and confusing.

In terms of a Republic, I cannot see the need to change.  What is instead needed is a review of the electoral system.  Why not introduce the "First Past the Post" system where if a member receives enough votes they win the constituency rather than a preferential system which is flawed and open to misconduct?  Furthermore should voting be made voluntary with a better education of how the political system works for after all people are just going to have more contempt if something is forced on them?

Education should also be reformed with Primary School being a focus on the foundation years, Secondary School the specialization of further learning and then a decision made as to whether to attend university, undertake a trade or just find employment.  Once again if young people are forced to attend university they will just have contempt for it.

My final point is to see the re-introduction of National Service.  For all young people, especially young men, National Service would be a means of men working together and growing in confidence, leadership and self esteem.  This me focused and I'm right attitude really just doesn't belong here. It creates more problems and fuels anti social behaviour.  There simply is too much focus on materialism, sex and man up nonsense.  National Service doesn't necessarily imply using a rifle and crawling in trenches, it more so encourages self esteem, confidence, and self discipline.  Spending a few hours per week or a weekend, in team building skills and learning leadership wouldn't really hurt anyone.  It also would instill a sense of respect and build upon a person's foundations.  The world has become too serious and I believe people just don't communicate with each other enough.  We are social creatures and shouldn't really be cruel to each other.

I also think that a young person should be afforded the opportunity of having a job and being encouraged to be responsible when it comes to managing expenditure and debt.  Too often people borrow money and don't really earn it or live within their means.  I think that being responsible would help to ensure that a person feels a greater sense of self worth if they earn and spend wisely.

I think the Australia today is not something which I like. People have become very selfish and don't seem to care enough about others around them.  I also think that when there is a sense of not feeling safe and old infrastructure being demolished that people start to feel they are losing their identity. When you knock down old buildings you also knock down people with them.  A lot of old infrastructure needs to be preserved and careful consideration and planning is required when new buildings are being erected.

In all honesty I would like to see more pride and respect in people.  I think people have become too serious and easily offended.  People need to watch more comedy and learn to lighten up more.  Also neuro diversity and this Tall Poppy Syndrome has to go.  I don't consider myself to be self conscious of how well I am educated but more so how I stand on my own morals. If people don't like or care for what I believe in and stand for, I simply just don't care.  If we want a better world then people simply have to pull their socks up and start to become better people. Surely this is not hard to do and just involves a bit more thinking!????

The She'll Be Right Flawed System

For a young person who is an entrepreneur or the person who is a business owner one of the ways to better employ people and grow your business is to significantly reduce red tape, and too much paperwork.  In Australia the problem I see is a lack of flexibility and too much regulation of the labour market.  For a small business owner, they should be able to grow their business by means of investing more valuable time and energy into ways of making their business become more competitive and economically viable.  Furthermore employing a person or persons should not involve endless paperwork and satisfying unrealistic requirements.

To employ people less regulation and paperwork needed.

 What I think is needed in Australia is also a more flexible wage and enterprise bargaining agreements.  For instance, if a young person wants to work they should be able to work within a framework that allows them entry into the labour market.  Furthermore I see Australia's labour market as existing in the C19th.  The 9am to 5pm model does not suit everyone.  There is very little or no flexibility and for a person with a disability (ability) or challenges, entry to the labour market just seems impossible.  Not everyone can nor wants to work in a system that disallows flexibility and incentive.  If you want to get more people into employment then surely the answer is to make the workplace more flexible to begin with?

Unions seem to exist in the past in many ways.  Instead of seriously investigating a way of making workplaces for flexible and assisting with increasing productivity, more valuable time and energy is spent on criticizing political parties.  Belonging to a union should be to stand up for your rights to ensure a safe and fair workplace. Also more of a focus on staff development should be encouraged than just worrying primarily about your pay packet at the end of every pay cycle.  It is just frustrating not being able to better utilize intellectual capital and incentive.  

What do I suggest then?

From observation, promotion and incentive should be based on work performance.  If a person works hard in their job then why not encourage them based on merit to better improve?  Why  not allow for more recognition of ability and furthermore assist them to be better cohesive in the overall scheme of things?  Why not also encourage greater participation of persons with disabilities into the workplace by removing unnecessary over regulation, red tape and bureaucracy?  For a young person starting off in a business,why not allow them to build upon their foundation within their business by allowing for more competition and a means of growing to take on and employ more people?  A young person in a business should also be praised and encouraged to expand their business and obtain greater recognition from within the community?  

The taxation system also needs to be overhauled.  For low income earners, why can't the paying of tax simply exist by paying income tax rather than having the unnecessarily burden of having to satisfy the requirements of filling in a confusing tax reform at the end of the financial year?  Also for business owners can't the system be better simplified so that their is less stress and effort on this procedure and more energy invested into employing more people?   If you want to reduce the unemployment rate in Australia, then why not simply for labour market by creating a more flexible workplace environment?  Surely unions, managers and business owners can come to the bargaining table to simply laws and procedures to make workplaces more profitable to increase staff participation.  

For the young person starting out in business, every means possible should be provided to allow for greater productivity.  Also every means possible should be provided to allow for greater participation of people with disabilities into the workplace.  Flexible work hours need to be encouraged as well as environments that offer greater friendliness and worker participation.  By removing unnecessary red tape and over regulation, surely such opportunities are possible?  An overhaul of the enterprise bargaining system, awards and other means could surely overcome the flawed system in place already?  Only change will happen if people start to question the system that is already in place.  We need to focus on people who want to make a contribution and encourage those who want to improve performance and greater workplace productivity.  What do you think of Prime Minister John Key's video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yp7QsQSGz-4  Is New Zealand soon going to outdo Australia with its economy and rising dollar?  Do you also think that John Key is a better Prime Minister?  

Trying to keep active at 42

Over the past 2 years I have managed to keep my exercise routine up to date.  Both in the morning and afternoon, I do some sit ups, cardio workout by jogging on the spot and doing some star jumps. I also do some exercise with weights.  I have found that anxiety has reduced as well as irritable bowel and stomach irritations.  I still confront challenges though in being able to communicate with others on a more social level.  I see the importance in having and wanting friends but relationships are just beyond me.  I just feel it all too much work and get tired of people who say I don't try hard enough.  People should try living with Autism each day.  Navigating the world at large is exhausting not to also mention the shear amount of mental exhaustion and energy required in trying to rely solely on your intelligence to get about. 


I do find that making friends has become a little easier and with a large following on both Facebook and LinkedIn, I am doing very well.  Not that I want to boast but more so try to improve.  I still find however that there is segregation because people seem largely afraid or unable to understand how I think and function.  I know that there are some people who I don't get on with but there are others that seem unable to relate to the way I operate.  I cannot control overall how having Autism does affect me but I do work on ways of overcoming the areas which need improvement in myself. 


We live in a world that is so uptight and on edge.  Furthermore, people seem reluctant to know how to communicate with each other.  I see the importance in particular of men putting aside their issues and striving towards better cohesion and friendships with each other.  More importantly a means of guiding future generations of young people to grow in confidence and in leadership.  A great deal of many people have become blinded by consumerism and image.  They simply have forgotten the basic tenets of helping each other out and accepting help when a person is genuine about providing it.  Sadly trust has been abused by abuse from the insidious but people need to think and rely on intelligence more.  I believe that in our life we need to make the most of what we have and to live within our means.  Sadly some people don't live within their means and get into serious debt and financial hardship and instead of thinking about the overall prosperity of their country, they instead think of themselves.  It is all a matter of being sensible and realistic.  Not everyone is perfect but people are given a brain and should use it more.  Watching the news is often depressing and I cannot stand some of the lies and propaganda which is in your face. 


Working in an environment with young people is very positive.  Not only can many think and perform within an intellectual curious setting, they can also be guided and encouraged to become better men and women.  I try to be a good role model where I can but sadly there is still some remaining 'me first attitude' about.  It really is annoying when you try and offer help to people only to get in return "I'm right".  Furthermore there are givers and takers in the world and people seem to be more takers than givers.  All you can do is try your best and hope that within yourself that you can change other people's attitudes? 


As I approach the 50 bracket which I hope will not be too fast, I remain concerned about my own mental and physical health.  Having medical issues can be a challenge if you have Autism because often pain, discomfort and even seeing a doctor can be overwhelming.  The medical fraternity still needs a better understanding of Autism and we need to find more statistics to see what is happening with persons with Autism within middle and later age.  As yet there is not a lot of information and this needs further research and investigation.  What for instance is the average life expectancy of a person with Autism?  Where also are the adults in the community?  How are they functioning and are they being neglected and need better services? 


I know of adults who are older than me and some advocate whereas others have just fallen off the radar.  So at 42 I continue to do my best even though I often feel like an outsider and find social isolation all too overwhelming at times. 




A learning environment not only can be social but stimulating.  A lot of people and young people need more encouragement to learn and grow their minds.

The lack of social circle dilemma

As a man on the Autism Spectrum one of the difficulties I confront is finding ways to understand the opposite sex better.  I have always struggled to make friends and not growing up with many friends caused me to be in a distinct disadvantage.  I think that having friends at an early age and growing up with friends is important both for mental health and for social improvement.  I think that through the early periods, that men in particular learn and grow by having friends whether they be platonic or within the same gender group.  As for persons on the Autism Spectrum we seem to always be on the outer and grow and excel either in our own time or through our own means.  The school environment may not always be supportive either as man of us confront bullying and a sense of alienation.


Does not having friends cause you social isolation and difficulty in relating to the same gender and those of the opposite sex? 


In answer to this question and from personal experience, I have always struggled myself in knowing exactly what is required in a friendship.  How often do I reciprocate for instance and furthermore what are the nuances and behaviours which I need to exhibit?  Over the years it has become somewhat an obsession to make friends and I find that I have more friends now than before.  I find though the mental energy required is just exhausting because I put a lot of effort into just getting by and in trying to keep friends that often I confront mind blindness and mental exhaustion at the end of the day.  I also believe that I have more Autism than Asperger Syndrome in terms of communication for I can communicate in more of a professional context but within a purely social one, I fall down badly. 


I never really had friends as I grew up that could guide me with dating women and in knowing the social behaviours required in order to fit in.  Even now I still encounter some social isolation but with Facebook, LinkedIn and Skype, I can overcome some of the hurdles with social isolation.  I find that with Aspies that we are just wired uniquely or differently and that like the jigsaw puzzle, we don't really fit in with other pieces within the puzzle.  We need to either finds ways to adapt or if we are not able to function enough, we tend to be on the outer once again. 


A friend to me is someone who is honest and genuine.  A person who accepts you for who you are and helps you when you need help.  We live in a world where there are givers and takers and sadly more people seem to be takers and few are givers.  It can be a real struggle.  Friends are important though because not only do we socialise but people learn from each other.  For an Aspie though this can be a worrying deficit because we are not growing because we are not learning and social inclusion therefore is needed as well as tolerance and understanding.  Aspies can be blunt but it is not because we want to offend people but more so because we speak our minds.  Often we confront rejection and even bullying as a result and such attitudes need to change. 


Would the following therefore be important for persons on the Autism Spectrum?

Friends to help with growing, learning and overcoming social isolation


Mirroring as a means of better functioning and obtaining advice to better adapt to friendships and relationships


A better means of overcoming mental health issues


Perhaps you can think of more reasons? 

Being the Square Peg In the Round Hole

At times I really don't feel like I fit into the world around me.  I feel largely socially isolated and my ways of functioning not really fully understood.  People also seem largely confusing and what they say doesn't seem to connect with what they actually mean.

People don't realise that to get to where I am today took a lot of work.  I was written off and told I wouldn't get far in life.  Furthermore, I have been told that I need to try harder and that I either write myself off or put myself down.  The truth of the matter is that I know my strengths and weaknesses.  I also believe that I largely do not have Asperger Syndrome but more so Autism.  For me making a social effort or entering social situations is very overwhelming and exhausting.  Added to this I feel that relationships with the opposite sex are just beyond me.  Sadly society doesn't understand how I think and function and over the years some so called friends have just dropped me not understanding how I function as a person.  What I don't understand is that I don't see myself as a damaged or broken individual.  I see myself as needing to change some of my ways of thinking so I can better adjust to anxiety and stress but I don't believe that I need to change to be accepted by people.

To begin with I try to function in a world that I know is going to be very difficult to change.  Furthermore the structures and infrastructure around me is not always accommodating.  Loud hand driers in amenities, cities that are physically hard to navigate and lights and sounds that can be overwhelming represent real challenges.  I also feel that I am forced to spend money that often provide poor services such as Internet Providers and even taxation that does not go into disability, for even if it does it seems to go to people who really never really ask me what ways my quality of life could be improved.

I really wonder at times if I am changing the world.  There are still many challenges and hurdles a long the way.  Mental Health is still largely ignored and social isolation is an everyday reality.  I see myself as largely an outsider observing rather than participating.  I get frustrated with the way mental health is not better managed with people on the receiving end being doled out medication more so than therapy and discussion.  Quite simply I believe that some medications do more harm than good and I can speak from personal experiences.

I also feel largely conformed into ways of thinking and function that are not me and I live in a society where men are supposed to be blokey and guys simply don't talk to one another. I even wonder if a National Service could change this to encourage leadership and a better means of bonding?  Trying to be myself is a challenge because I cannot stand pretending to be someone I am not.

These are my thoughts for today despite the challenges I face.  Maybe others can relate to what I am writing about in this blog?

It's Not A Broken Toy Factory It is A New Wave of Enlightenment

It really concerns me when I hear of stories of parents who join Autism organisations because they are afraid of accepting the diagnosis of Autism in the child.  What is even more distressing are the measures to try and cure or prevent Autism from within the person.  Why are such drastic and unrealistic expectations occurring?


I believe that early awareness is needed of Autism and what better means of this being assisted than allowing adults on the Autism Spectrum to become mentors.  Advisors to the young person with Autism and shared of experiences and strategies on how to function better in the world?  Sadly I don't see much of this happening.  There are many adults within the community, including myself who do Autism Advocacy work. Sadly though we are not being allowed into the spotlight for lacking so called experience and or qualifications.  If future generations of persons with Autism need support then why not allow adults with Autism to become mentors? 


For a long time I have fought long and hard to allow adults with Autism our rightful place in society.  A means where we are not seen as broken individuals needing to be fixed but rather acceptance and a means of embrace.  There are still many barriers however and brick walls in the way and these need to be taken down.  It is not easy but with much optimism it is possible. 


Today I met with a new adult who is assisting the group with advocacy work.  He has some good ideas and suggestions and is around the same age as myself.  I will be working with him and other adults including Ben Wilshire to further raise awareness. 


In the meantime I ask you to continue to like my Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/GARRYBURGE.AS and to contact me via Facebook


Regards


Garry Burge

Coping as an Alien

If you can remember the TV series Mork and Mindy, you may remember how Mork lived his life as an observer.  He spoke regularly to his superior Orson about how to understand the human race.  For me I constantly struggle with it everyday.  I find that I am largely either unknown or misunderstood.  For instance I offend people just for speaking my mind and seem to cause annoyance in wanting things done and done properly.

When I left the school system which I found was largely frustrating and within a stressful environment, I came out with a poor academic transcript.  When I later tried to go to university, I was told by an Occupational Therapist that I would simply be wasting my time.  Despite me proving him wrong and many critics, I was successfully able to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of New England in 1999.  I undertook university because I wanted to show that no matter where I was in life that I no longer had a failed school certificate against my name.  It also would try and provide me with some hope that in future employment that I could find something and not be destined for the scrap heap or be thrown or forced into a toxic and harsh work setting.

The challenges I have today is that people don't really see the silent struggles.  One of my elderly parents whom I live with is going through some challenges at the moment and despite being seen as lacking empathy, I try my best to provide support and assistance wherever possible.  It really hurts me deeply when a person says I lack empathy because I do not. I am a very giving person or try to be but often I am overlooked or confront continual social isolation.  I always strive for understanding and in wanting to have friends but for me the way my wiring and thinking occur, people do not always understand where I am coming from.

In Australia I  notice that so many people who really should be given the lime light never reach it.  Instead within the higher echelons of society there tends to be a focus on sporting identities and on people who have achieved success through often unsavory means.  I have never really felt that I exist in Australian society because I am not into drinking or playing sport.  For me I prefer to be around people who have open minds and who are intellectually curious.  I am not sure exactly where such people exist?

I like to see things done properly and like to ensure that as a person I try my best to deliver a high quality standard of work and professionalism.  Sadly I seem to offend people just for being myself in a society which seems largely mediocre.  I am told I am negative but for me speaking my mind is the only way I can communicate.  It is hard to know right from wrong in some certain social situations and I find myself sometimes confused and having to rely on my intelligence to problem solve.  My training at university allowed me a mind that constantly thinks and questions but sadly sometimes I feel like a bulldozer hitting an iron wall!  There is just no way beyond it.  What do I need to do and what way can I get around it?

Ben Wilshire is doing a lot of good work and assisting Ben to become a leading Autism Advocate in Australia is working well.  I also will be travelling with Ben to New Zealand in August and hopefully thereafter to Europe if all goes well.  It would be good to have a friend to go with.

I am at the moment coming to terms with a lot and I cannot get counselling at UQ Psych Clinic until April.  Still getting ongoing counselling is impossible and I hope that things change in the future.  I always try my best to create and lead change but often it doesn't come soon enough.  I also contact Chris Mitchell every Saturday night in the United Kingdom via Skype and in my spare time I run the adult group and network.  Just for now it is a matter of trying to do my best and try to not walk on egg shells to offend people or get them offside.  I just wish changes did not occur to the DSMV changing Asperger Syndrome as a diagnosis because to me it is an identity.

More updates soon when I can think of more to write.  

  

2015 and onwards

2015 has now well and truly started.  I really hope that 2015 will be even better than last year.  Over the past 18 months I have been working with other adults to ensure that the group continues to grow and that important work is carried out.  The group now has a regular attendance of approximately 13 adults which is good to see.

Our next meeting will be a brain storming session.  It is at this meeting that the group will plan events for the coming months.  As well as met the Lord Mayor of Brisbane in April, the group has a lot to look forward too.  We are always welcoming new members and furthermore looking at ways to reach out more to the wider community.  The work is constant but preparation and perseverance go a long way to try and ensure that this happens.

I am continuing to work with Ben Wilshire and Ben is in contact with Autism organisations both in Australian and abroad.  We have also looked at and spoken to the National Autistic Society in the United Kingdom to see if we can also network with them.  We have received some emails of correspondence which has been helpful.  However connecting and working with them from Australia is something that has not yet been looked into and hopefully in due course something may change on this front?

There are two important conferences happening in Brisbane this  year.  The first one being hosted by Asperger Services Australia and the other the APAC conference towards the end of the year. Ben Wilshire will be attending both and this should be a good opportunity for Ben to do some public speaking and to represent the work he is doing as well as CareWest in Orange in his position as an Ability Linker.

In my own Autism Advocacy work, I will continue to try my best to run the group. We have Dr Tony Attwood visiting the group in November and furthermore we hope to see more adults working in the group to ensure that momentum and progress continues.  The group is about building adults up and encouraging self esteem and confidence.  Introductory events are a way of ensuring that new members get a chance to introduce themselves and overcome the barriers of social isolation and even depression.  There are some really awesome adults in the group and in each other's company, the foundation stones are already being laid for a more optimistic and supportive future.

In the meantime it is just a matter of continuing forward and trying to ensure that support and friendships continue to grow.  We welcome new adults not only from Brisbane but from within Australia, New Zealand and overseas.  Wherever one goes or connects with, our support base is expanding.

Please feel free to contact me via www.garryburge.com  or connect with us via Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GARRYBURGE.AS to ensure we hear from you.

Yours faithfully

Garry Burge

www.garryburge.com 

Merry Christmas & Seasons Greetings 2015

This year has been a busy year.  The work of Ben Wilshire of Carewest has been very important and not to mention Chris Lovell and Blake Connolly in the Brisbane Aspie Adult Group.  We have seen the group continue and furthermore welcome guest speaks including Maja Toudal and Professor Tony Attwood.  We have also had some other interesting speakers attend the group to speak about social activities as well as ways of improving better physical and mental health.

For me I have continued to the best of my ability the work which I am doing.  I also have received some good results in terms of growing upon my own foundations and requirements in terms of learning.  It will be good to see these accommodations implemented within due course.

As I get older I note the need for improved services not only for myself but for other adults.  We need to see vast improvements in terms of dealing with mental health, independent living, employment and on raising more awareness.  I am confident in saying that we have made much progress in these areas but more work needs to happen.  There still sadly are attitudes that having Autism is something that people think I am making up as an excuse in order to avoid certain responsibilities.  I can assure you that this is not the case. Why would I almost in my mid 40's be making things up when really I want things to get better?  I really need to find ways of raising more awareness which is constructive so that I can really change more attitudes and break down barriers.

Like all Australians and people world wide, I was deeply saddened by the events in Sydney.  I think of the two innocent lives that were lost and the others that have been traumatized by what happened on Australian soil.  I only hope that peace will continue to remain in our world. I also am coming to terms with someone close to me that is going through some personal struggles of her own.  It is hard to come to terms with old age and especially seeing changes and wondering what is actually happening?  I have to look after myself as I know nobody else will when my own structures may soon disappear.  I know that despite all nastiness that there are good people and that they will continue to support me as much as possible.  Despite my vehicle being scratched by another motorist who didn't even pay the courtesy of leaving a note with contact details, I have to again be strong and not let anyone get to me.  There are good people who are assisting me and I thank them for their support. I really and sincerely hope that next year will be a better year.  I know that in my own time there is only so much that I can physically and socially change. I hope that my own legacy will now and into the future assist future generations.  Autism is not something to eradicate but more so understand.  People with Autism are not damaged nor defective. I know of many adults who live with the condition like myself who want inclusion and a chance to also become equals in the wider world.  Many still have challenges and difficulties ahead of them.

I pray that next year will be even better and I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year for 2015 who reads this post.  I also ask you to please support and continue to like my page Facebook Page

Seasons Greetings

Garry Burge

Founder of www.garryburge.com