Desperate times call for desperate measures when no one seems to be able to understand

Dear United Nations I am an adult with Asperger Syndrome and I currently live in Australia. I was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome in July 1998, and I am currently working part time in the University of Queensland Social Sciences Library in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. What I would like to bring to your attention is the inability of governments and the general community in understanding Asperger Syndrome in Adults. As an adult I find that despite there being Disability Discrimination Acts and support within the work environment that in the general community there is not a real clear understanding of Asperger Syndrome being on the Autistic Spectrum. Governments seem unable to act and understand and the community in general don't really seem to be able to exactly fathom how Asperger Syndrome affects you as an adult. I am currently Staff Representative on the University of Queensland Disability Sub Committee as per my signature below and I have helped form an Asperger Syndrome Support Group for both staff and students at the University of Queensland. This group presently meets once a week and fortunately the university is beginning to recognise Asperger Syndrome as a disability but as you can imagine there are many roads and bridges that still need to be crossed. I know of adults who are being exploited in the workplace, not given adequate work breaks and over looked in areas of employment even with some employers bearing Anti Discrimination laws. In my spare time I promote a lot of advocacy in Australia and in the global community on Asperger Syndrome as an adult. I have met with politicians, employers and spoken to members within the Asperger Syndrome Community about the needs and support that are lacking in the Australian Community. This has occurred since diagnosis in 1998 and up until the present. Many children are unable to obtain support at an early age, and there seems to be no real acknowledgment of just how important early intervention is and furthermore the transition into adulthood. Asperger Syndrome was re-discovered in 1981 by Lorna Wing from Hans Asperger an Austrian Pediatrician who highlighted the difficulties of children in being able to socialise, understand and adjust to the world around them. As more awareness is trying to be raised in the community, there are still many adults and children within the community that are still not aware of Asperger Syndrome as a condition and it seems to me that the government just wants to sweep this important issue under the carpet. Recently the United Kingdom passed an Autism Bill to recognise Autism as a disability but Australia is sadly lagging behind the United Kingdom in terms of awareness. I am fortunate that I work in a supportive work environment but I know of other adults who are simply unable to obtain employment and live a lower quality of life than the main stream. The issues of high unemployment, social isolation, depression, anxiety are some of the pressing issues which confront them and as an adult I feel adults with Asperger Syndrome are just in some kind of backwash with no clear understanding or solutions. In my spare time, I undertake a lot of advocacy and have linked adults with Asperger Syndrome to other adults with Asperger Syndrome on a global scale via skype. The group now has a counselor who is able to talk online with them as I know all too well of the difficulties of social isolation and depression and how such negative effects cripple a person socially and anxiety wise. I write this email as I feel that the Autistic Spectrum needs more attention within the Australian Community and as an adult I am concerned for my own future and for other people affected by Autism in the Australian Community. Many are living below a normal quality of life and this is a serious issue. I hope one day that an Autism Bill is introduced into Australia but when or if this is going to happen is just an anxious wait. I am tired of governments saying they will address Autism with money and support not going to essential services and a means of promoting more awareness. I often feel like I am treading water and I know of a lot of other adults within the same position. If Asperger Syndrome could be highlighted more and acknowledged more within the United Nations, then a global acceptance will hopefully occur. I hope when you read my email that hopefully you will see my case for acknowledging and supporting Asperger Syndrome as a disability and a reality. Below are some of the inequalities at present in relation to Asperger Syndrome in Australia which I have experienced at first hand: 1. Inability of employment agencies to assist adults with Asperger Syndrome find employment 2. Lack of on the job support for adults currently employed and who need assistance with staff/career development 3. More acknowledgment of Autism within the Disability Discrimination Act 4. Support for Accommodation to allow adults with Asperger Syndrome independent accommodation to take the strain of parents and families (some adults in their 30s - 60's still living at home with parents) 5. lack of funding to vital organisations such as Asperger Services Australia to provide services to adults and children and to pay essential staff members within this organisation. The list goes on but these are some essential services There are many families and people aching on the Autistic Spectrum to obtain support but all we can do is be patient and hope that change will happen soon. As I get older myself now at 37 years of age, I am beginning to see vital services and support fading away. I find it hard to obtain a relationship and find networks within the community because I lack the necessary social skills and understanding to be able to find these. All I can do is promote awareness and hope that one day support will reach those in need but all I can do at present is be patient and wait. It makes me personally sad when I see in the United Kingdom an Autism Bill providing support and services to adults and finding nothing exists here in Australia. What are people affected by Autism expected to do? I am aware that there are Autism Agencies in Australia but more needs to happen and greater funding needs to go to vital services and organisations who will deliver to those in need on the Autistic Spectrum I look forward to hearing from you and hope that my email provides some awareness of a serious situation. I know there are other more important needs which require attention but Autism also should be looked into Some important links UK Autism Bill http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2008-09/autism.html Asperger Services Australia (which needs vital funding) http://www.asperger.asn.au/Home.aspx Dr Tony Attwood (based in Australia) http://www.tonyattwood.com.au/ my blog also exists on Tony's website by going to Support Groups in Brisbane Kind regards Mr Garry Burge