The government needs to listen

In my meetings with a lot of politicians and key groups in society, I constantly point out as best I can the challenges and difficulties adults on the Autistic Spectrum confront. These issues being high unemployment, social isolation and the list can go on. I constantly here of funding to certain areas within the community but sadly the Autistic Spectrum receives little mention or funding. If for instance Asperger Services Australia were successful in setting up a grant and obtaining funding from the government, hopefully key support and services would become available to adults. We could see the following and I hope one day this becomes a reality: 1. Employment Agencies to provide job placements and career development for adults 2. Central location building in a capital city i.e Brisbane where adults can go to if they need help with counseling, employment, making friends, overcoming social isolation, advice etc 3. Improvement in housing so adults on the Autistic Spectrum can live independently and not be discriminated against rent 4. Minds and Hearts to make it easier for adults to obtain medicare rebate and cheaper consultation fees so those on lower incomes can obtain support and advice 5. Governments seeing Autistic Spectrum as a reality and to see invisible (unseen) disabilities as a reality. Just because a person on the Autistic Spectrum looks like everyone else does not mean they don't need help or struggle. 6. The introduction of an Autism Spectrum Bill or awareness at a federal level in parliament. Australia has 22 million people surely this is not hard to organise and implement? Hopefully in time more and more awareness of the Autistic Spectrum will become evident and vital services and support will become available not only to children but more importantly when they make the transition to adulthood and current adults. We can only wait and hope politicians will stop twiddling their thumbs. There are a lot of families and individuals aching for support out there. I also devote a lot of my free and spare time to Asperger Syndrome advocacy and often feel I don't get anywhere with reaching out to certain organisations but being on the Disability Subcommittee of a University is at least one major achievement. Please consider the following questions for more reassurance 1. What would you do if your child was unable to adjust to mainstream education and people kept saying "your child has behaviour issues and is naughty"?". 2. You as an adult were unable to obtain or hold down a job and lived below the mainstream quality of life? 3. You are socially isolated and because you may be eccentric or odd, people may say things about you or you confront some areas of discrimination in your life? 4. You are socially isolated and find it hard to access the community because you need help with social skills and people to understand why it is difficult. 5. Looking like everyone else but the disability or condition you have is largely unseen and you struggle internally and nobody knows or sees your struggles?