The Specialisterne Model for Australia

Early developments or more I say hopefully the early beginnings are going to lay the foundation stone for Specialisterne in Australia. Specialisterne can be visited at the following website http://www.specialistpeople.com/ I have a meeting tomorrow with some key individuals regarding its implementation in Australia. It would be a first for Australia if we are able to get this employer of Autistic Adults off the ground and a lot of considerations are needed. I am hoping that other adults on the Autistic Spectrum may have some ideas or suggestions and of course input. If for instance Brisbane is to introduce Specialisterne here and of course with relevant support and funding, the ground work can be laid for an Aspie conducive work environment. In my meeting with the key members of this group tomorrow, I hope we can discuss a viable strategy and a framework to lay the foundations for a realistic, and workable approach to get something done. Not only with Specialisterne employ adults on the Autistic Spectrum, it will furthermore provide a means and a link with Specialisterne in Europe. It will help assist Australia to be more competitive and recruit a productive and reliable means of labour which in a positive and supported work environment will hopefully be free of the difficulties adults with AS confront in conventional employment. I know that many of you have wondered what exactly is involved in Specialisterne but it is the hope of many including myself that a positive light will be cast on people on the Autistic Spectrum. Australia will hopefully begin to see the merits of employing adults with AS rather than casting them aside and over looking them within traditional employment. Hopefully Thorkil Sonne CEO of Specialisterne will be able to visit Australia and our adults here can be seen upon the world stage rather than existing at present in a low quality of life. I was asked by a friend, "I hope you are enjoying life". The answer is of course because I feel I am promoting awareness and hopefully getting something done about issues concerning Autism. I don't need to buy material objects to feel happy within myself nor do I need to live in some kind of surrealistic existence. Just knowing many talented and wonderful people who are often overlooked by society is in itself something to feel proud about. I will be mentioning Specialisterne within my presentations on employment and Asperger Syndrome. Even though you can only eat an elephant one mouthful at a time, the fact I feel awareness is occurring is in itself rewarding. I will keep this blog up to date with the meeting tomorrow and further advocacy. Specialisterne is an opportunity to allow Australia to compete or more importantly produce something so please if you can try to support Specialisterne and the work behind it in making use of adults on the Autistic Spectrum!

Australian Exists in a backwash in terms of disability and support

As I write this post and some people may choose to read it or not. Australia has a disgraceful record in terms of neglect of people with a disability. Recently in the Geneva Convention on Disability, Australia ranked well below a fail and what if anything is being done to rectify this? Well the simple answer is nothing. Across the disability sector as well as mental health, adults with disabilities confront neglect and it seems that society does not give a damn. I am just one voice as an adult with a disability. I find no support and services available and furthermore the necessary services and support that are needed simply do not exist. In terms of dealing with relationships, lifestyle management and handling anxiety levels, I live alone and try my best to cope. I think it is about time that Australia lift its veil of complacency and do something about support and services to people with disabilities. I am aware that isolation is a reality from the rest of the world in terms of Australian attitude but this is no excuse. With the pressure of more and more immigration issues confronting this country, the attitude of "she'll be right" needs to change. Society has to accept and be responsible for adults who are confronted with a disability and to simple shirk this responsibility and think that it either does not exist or that it will go away is simply not good enough. We need to as a society to think outside the box and be a part of the rest of the world for Australian attitude needs to change. I often get extremely anxious in my own time whether vital support and services will become available to those in need or whether it will take several generations to finally implement what support and services are needed. I grow tired of simply shelving books in a library and constantly being overlooked into what I can actually to to make more contribution to the needs of people with disabilities, especially Asperger Syndrome in adults and children. As I don't have a qualification, this simply makes it difficult to be simply heard and get the message out there to do something and to make a difference. Adults with Asperger Syndrome need lifestyle management and the world has to have a mutual understanding of the difficulties and challenges confronting individuals with a disability including Asperger Syndrome. I cannot help the way I think, I try to get by in life and often I fall and make mistakes and break conventions without knowing it. In terms of people trying to understand me, I am overlooked, seen as eccentric or wrongly labelled as someone who has a temporary condition and the problem will eventually go away. Life can be very difficult at times. I house sit in order to try and obtain an independent lifestyle as I try not put the strain on my elderly parents but instead of getting support and services, I get by as best I can. I have to handle my life's challenges myself and I have very few friends and family I can call on for support. Counseling is also not there when you need it and I encounter other adults on the spectrum who are close to breaking point and trying to help this is difficult when I try to keep myself afloat. I wonder if Australia will ever pass an Autism Act or whether it is just going to be another let down in the long series of letdowns that my life has experienced. It just seems at times that nothing works out and I realise that I live an unconventional existence and try my best to cope with it. I see relationships as a real obstacle and I have learned to talk to myself to advise myself on what I need to do with my life because nobody is around. I really begin to see withdrawing from society and giving up as a serious option and I really don't want to have to go on medication again. I just wish I could be utilised to advise those who are interested on the needs of people with disabilities. I tried to help out in hospitals where people have been involved in car accidents but finding the bureaucratic cogs of volunteering and being knocked back has even made this impossible. I really don't know what to do. I need help in certain areas of my life but I struggle to find it and when you turn to the medical profession they just don't understand. They want to medicate the problem and I don't want to be medicated. I have a good mind and intelligence but society just doesn't know how to deal with this. I am tired of seeing crap on television, I am tired of people who are not intellectually curious and furthermore fiercely conservative. Can people just open their minds for once. Also the adults with AS and I don't always see things the same way. I try very hard to help them and some of them just need help which I am not able to provide. I really think that Australia can make a difference but we need as a country to jettison this complacent way of thinking that we have at the moment. I am tired of the me focused world. Neighbourhoods live in fear, there is increasing crime and gang violence and the NT world is caving in on itself. I really hope things change for the future and I can make a positive contribution!!!!! Please watch the episode called "Breaking Point" regarding Australia's neglect of people with a disability by coping and pasting this link into your web browser http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/special_eds/20100215/disability/

Autism organisations need to unite in Australia

If Australia needs to pass an Autism Act and ensure that a united approach is carried out, we first need to unite all Autism associations and Asperger Syndrome Associations together. What is a constant problem is the internal division and rivalry between organisations and such negative and unhelpful behaviour seriously undermines the very people that it is supposed to support. I have in the past not seen eye ball to eye ball with some key individuals in certain associations and I am not wanting to affect their position but more importantly get the message out there that the people affected by Autism who of course may not see things the same way I do, need support where it is available. I am constantly briefed about what I want and I am not wanting to be on the national stage, I am just trying my hardest to get support to those individuals affected by Autism to be linked to important services and support. As a community, people with Autism cannot live in or expect the world to be all one way but if we can work towards an approach of having a mutual understanding between both parties then we are clearly setting a bench mark to achieve something realistic. One of the things I grow tired of is Autism organisations failing to support those individuals or persons seriously in need. I am tired of the power play that goes on because this is not helping people on the spectrum at all. We need to re-evaluate our position within the community and focus on those people who need our help. We need stringent, meticulous and thorough auditing on an annual basis to ensure that funding and monies are being channeled and distributed to essential services. These being lifestyle support, employment agencies, employment support, adult accommodation, schooling, and community awareness and I am sure those involved in Autism can think of a great deal more. I have been in touch with Mr Robert Oakeshott - Independent for Lyne and I am also meeting with some key individuals next Wednesday to replicate Specialisterne hopefully in Australia. Adults on the Autistic Spectrum need to give this employer a go and I hope they will. Also with necessary job support agencies, this may also help in combating the problems adults on the Autistic Spectrum have in relation to employment. Over the coming weeks, I will be house sitting to try and maintain an independent lifestyle and of course doing advocacy where I can. I will writing again and provide updates when they are required.

Autism Australia Act possible drafting

We the Parliament and Commonwealth of Australia agree to support and implement the National Autism Act into Parliament. Autism is a growing problem in Australia with more and more children and adults being diagnosed with this disorder. As Autism represents adults who comprise 1% of the population and currently diagnosis is growing, this Bill ensures that the government and those departments responsible ensure that support and services are made to both adullts and children. This bills acknowledges the need to address Autism and ensure both support and services are made available to address a growing problem of Autism in Australia. The Autism Bill Australia ensures the following: 1. Early intervention is recognised, acknowledged and treated as early as possible. 2. Autism awareness begins at school with the school environment making the necessary accommodations and support for the needs of children. i.e creation of schools to cater for the needs of children with Autism 3. Services made available to children, their family and carers where required. 4. Employment Agencies established within Australia and its territories to ensure adults with Autism are getting assistance and support with workplace support and on the job placement. 5. Services made available to adults with Autism to ensure and overcome the issues of social isolation, depression and loniliness 6. Funding to Autism Agencies with such funding undergoing careful and meticulous audting on an annual basis to ensure funding is being channeled to the correct departments and adults with Autism and children are obtainng the help they need. 7. The Australian Autism Act to roughly follow the Autism Act in the UK http://www.autism.org.uk/autismact2009 8. The Australian Government to introduce the UK model of diagnosiing Autism and to abolish the current DSM5 or American based diagnostic criteria? 9. The medical fraternity to be trained and made aware of the needs of Autism with a greater understanding of how Autism effects and individual 10. Awareness both media and in print to be distributed to the Australian Community to enlighten and educate them on the needs of people with Autism. 11. An overview of the Disability Discriminationa Act to incorporate Autism and ensure discrimination against people on the Autistic Spectrum does not occur within the work environment or in society in general.

What does a Hung Parliament mean for Australia?

Election 2010 was indeed an interesting outcome. Never has the federal parliament been in such a predicament since the Election of 1941 to where the Menzies Conservative Government sat on a knife edge with certain key people ensuring the government remain in power. For Menzies a hung parliament did not work in his favour for in a plane crash the members who ensured the government have its numbers, caused a change of hands and a shift of power to John Curtain. With the current situation what will be the future of this situation as the is clearly no numbers to test the floor and thus form a government. What needs important consideration is that all independents are from former conservative party backgrounds. I think personally that things can be done and majority rule exists no more. Perhaps for Julia Gillard she is unable to afford and enjoy the numbers and complacency. This is a perfect opportunity to get things done and of course as a friend on the Autistic Spectrum indicated, a means of an independent passing a Private Members Bill to get an Autism Bill in enacted. More importantly it allows Professor Patrick McGorry to furthermore get Mental Illness also mentioned. Despite his tireless efforts to get something done about mental illness, adults with Asperger Syndrome do fall into the mental illness category. Adults who cannot find work are forced often than not to take medication as a means of survival and sadly Autistic Children are medicated to be controlled and clearly something needs to change. Hopefully something will be done to clean up the mess of disability neglect, mental illness issues and Autism in Australia. I think Election 2010 was a mess personally left by factionalism and Mr Rudd give me a break, you were shafted and to turn around and ask for forgiveness is just ridiculous. The election in my view was a total mess with no clear policies or a means of a mandate. It reminded me of a Punch and Judy Show the whole election scenario. The current situation is indeed a time of uncertainty and what exactly will the independents do and how will they work to ensure a majority as a block? Personally I think Robert Oakeshott can get things done and I have had some contact with him. He seems a keen and enthusiastic younger member of parliament whom I can see is somewhat disillusioned with the 2 party status quo. Tony Windsor who is the Independent for New England doesn't look like he will take any crap and Bob Katter is good with the one liners and I am sure his input will be interesting as well. I cannot speak for the other independents but hopefully things will be done in all directions and mundane and out of date two party American type of style will go out the door. I personally felt unconvinced voting for Labor or Liberal/National but being forced to vote and not having a clear policy or what I believe in not existing within the political candidates, I personally will be watching the Independents as they go to work. I have been in contact as stated earlier with Robert Oakeshott whom I also was glad to see go to Canberra at a Federal Level. We need change and youth in the parliament and I think seeing Mr Oakeshott's input will be interesting from a younger Australian's perspective. As the weeks unfold, of course there will be jockeying for power but I do tip an interesting outcome will eventuate.

Taking the line of least resistance.

In Australia, people in general don't know how to deal with Autism. They don't see it, they cannot relate to it and more importantly they don't understand it. I often feel that people on the Autistic Spectrum are labeled and instead of society understanding and taking on Autism to understand it, they take the line of least resistance. For example in my own situation, people just probably say "Oh he's just obsessed about Asperger Syndrome as it is part of the condition, no need to worry about it". It puts you in a difficult situation because I am sick and tired of people telling me what I cannot do and more importantly the very fabric of society finding excuses to deal with the very realities of Asperger Syndrome and Autism. I have tried to not let Autism consume my life but trying to operate under a normal banner has just been impossible. When I have tried to mix with people, I end up not being understood and more importantly I have been wrongly judged and left aside. I feel that if I don't speak and become an advocate then I am misunderstood and I don't want to be medicated. Why should I be medicated because people don't want to take the time to try and listen and understand? The reality is that people lead busy lives but sadly very little awareness and education is made available regarding the Autistic Spectrum. I personally believe a lot of adults have given up because they know they will never be understood nor society really take the time to understand them. I fail to see why this should continue to go on. Some other peers I know just say, "What work have you done?", "Are things improving" or "Not everyone wants to or is passionate about Asperger Syndrome as you are". I struggle to fit into your conventional world, I did not ask nor choose the very fabric of your expectations and conventions which I find extremely difficult and perplexing to understand. All I ask is that the world cannot be all one way. Not all people on the Autistic Spectrum are able to simply change and be the way modern society demands and expects them to be. With help, tolerance and understanding we can make a difference and more importantly the school system needs to change to implement understanding and learning requirements for people on the Autistic Spectrum. The world cannot continue to take the line of least resistance and simply keep finding excuses to not deal with the day to day realities and serious issues going on. Surely support needs to be too fold? It is not about me, it is about us the Autistic Community which continues to exist in the dark waiting for some light to be shone in our direction so people can begin to understand our strength and abilities. For the last 5 years I have worked in the same job which is shelving books in a library. I feel frustrated that within Australia I cannot do more. I would like to be more of an advocate for Autism and more importantly work at strategy to improve services for adults on the Autistic Spectrum to find employment, obtain understanding and improve their quality of life. I continually feel that I am labeled wrongly and seen as some kind of eccentric pest who is trying to implement change. People do not understand me because they do not understand Autism. I am fed up with the lack of services vitally needed for adults and the ignorance surrounding Autism in general. Why are adults unemployed or living low quality of lives and why is the government continually refusing or not acknowledging this very situation? Why is there an insistence on medicating children with Autism in our schools rather than harnessing and nurturing their abilities? Things need to change and they need to change soon!

Dealing with life

Last week I caught up with a good friend who recently returned from a trip to Europe and did a walk in Spain. Over coffee both he and I talked about the trip and I saw his photos. I also talked about how in life you cannot dwell or give up and you need to keep trying as best as you can to make the most of life. As I write this blog post, I am determined to not sit around and let things be. Despite what the world throws at you, you can't just sit by and give up and let it all get to you. I have worked hard to build up a network of friends and some of my friends understand AS and others don't but I cannot change the way they think. I am currently getting to know another girl on the Autistic Spectrum and we are taking things very slowly but I also try to keep up with my other friends on the spectrum and I hope that they too can find employment and direction in their lives. It really saddens me with my Aspie friends in that they live below a normal quality of life. They are unable to achieve as they are set back by financial constraints and despite my own inabilities, I hope that my advocacy and employment presentations do something to hopefully promote awareness and change. I have been in contact with Thorkil Sonne who is the CEO of Specialisterne and Aspie employer in Denmark. Hopefully this organisation will one day branch to Australia to employ adults here on the spectrum. We can only hope In the meantime, I try to keep in touch with friends, do my house sitting and hope to one day be employed in a job where I can utilise all my skills and not feel under appreciated and misunderstood. I would like to be involved as an Advisor and an advocate for Asperger Syndrome in Australia and New Zealand too if I can help them. The region we live in is at a serious disadvantage and many Australians and New Zealanders on the Autistic Spectrum are without work. I would like to also speak in New Zealand to get their level of advocacy as well as Australia's up to some kind of world awareness level. I feel frustrated that I am unable to use more skills and do a lot of advocacy largely unpaid. I have got far in life as I now have some good friends but I am wanting to utilise more of my potential than at present. It is so frustrating as people don't understand nor am I able to do more. I wish I could help Dr Tony Attwood more but I seem to need magic letters (Phd) to be able to work with Tony more. We have the Minds and Hearts Clinic in Brisbane but the government needs to come on board and we need an Autism Bill in parliament. A lot needs to be done and Asperger Services Australia also needs backing. I hope other adults can get ahead in life also on the spectrum but we can only wait. It is best to make the most of time than to waste it. More updates soon

When people don't understand

Intensity is one of the problems that people not on the Autistic Spectrum have when confronting people with Asperger Syndrome. Throughout my life, especially in my younger years, being too intense was something that people could not understand, relate to or handle. Trying to make friends was not easy and sadly some people on the Autistic Spectrum confront exploitation from predators or unconventional people as they are desperate to belong or to make friends. I have found some people have had issues in the past with my levels of intensity and without a clear understanding of the symptoms of Asperger Syndrome, I was not able to explain myself to people on the spot or in the given situation. People have boundaries and people on the Autistic Spectrum are not always able to read and understand boundaries therefore violating them and getting into difficult situations or in worst instances confronting complaints. For women on the Autistic Spectrum life can be doubly difficult for not understanding certain situations they can be exposed to sexual abuse or in worst cases, date rape. What sadly exists in society is the belief that Autism is somehow temporary and disappears in late childhood. Beyond school it is cured or goes away. From personal experience and from knowing other adults this is clearly not the case. Autism affects people into adulthood and sadly if not diagnosed or picked up, the person can lead a very difficult life not being understood or excepted within society. Being different myself has lead to a lot of bullying earlier in life within the school system. Almost every person I have met on the Autistic Spectrum has been mercilessly bullied in school. Being adults in the schoolyard has meant that other children as Dr Tony Attwood has said, caused them to be pushed around. It seems that the only people who can relate to Autism are those affected by it directly. Other people just fail to understand how it manifests itself in an individual. It is going to take time, and generations for people to understand how it directly affects a person and in my own situation, I am trying my hardest to get help where and when I can. Sadly for people who don't understand Autism, some adults have sadly taken their lives trying to struggle with adjusting to the Neurotypical world. Politicians just shirk Autism, they don't know how to relate to it nor do they care unless it again affects them directly. It is constant crusade to explain yourself within the community and trying to correct what is wrong. You cannot medicate an obvious problem but people need to understand that acknowledging it is important.

Asperger Services Australia Adult Meeting

Last night I attended the Adult Meeting of Asperger Services Australia. There was a good turn out with roughly 12 adults in attendance, and it felt good to be able to be around others who experience and see things the same way you do. I would like to acknowledge the work of Stefanie Evans, Honorary Secretary for doing a lot of the hard work in ensuring Asperger Services Australia keeps a float and for putting on the events to help with spreading awareness. Light refreshments were provided both Gluten Free and Normal, and at the meeting other adults spoke of the difficulties associated with being an adult on the Autistic Spectrum. Should anyone wish to attend a meeting or find out more about Asperger Services Australia, please contact Asperger Services Australia and email Stefanie at stef@asperger.asn.au. I hope that for this organisation that the government will acknowledge the hardwork that goes into this organisation and more importantly it services to both children and adults with Asperger Syndrome in the community!

Training Managers for potential employees on the Autistic Spectrum

One of the most common occurrences is a lack of awareness in the workplace and adults with Asperger Syndrome fall especially into this category. Simply lacking the necessary social skills to get by in a job and to be immune from workplace bullying, lack of direction and acceptance, making Managers aware is an important responsibility and to provide necessary training where possible. In training Managers to understand a potential employee with Asperger Syndrome it is first necessary to build a working repore between the employee with Asperger Syndrome, an employment agency and a Manager. Some important things which need consideration, are communication and a liaison between all three parties. Just like the school environment, a person with Asperger Syndrome is not immune from bullying and quite simply this seriously corrodes the self esteem and much needed confidence for the adult concerned and it is important that the Manager is aware of this and knows how to take action or provide support where necessary. Currently there is no training or awareness from Managers and addressing this matter and providing awareness is an important step. I am working on a possible book in targeting this particular issue and suggesting incentives and training for Managers. As you may be aware this is perhaps a life long objective. Some of the ways to train Managers are as follows: 1. Provide Managers with an overview of what Asperger Syndrome is and how a workplace can benefit from hiring someone on the Autistic Spectrum. 2. Ensure that the applicant/employee is aware of the hierarchical structure of the workplace and who his/her supervisor is and to report to. 3. Regular check ups or meetings with the Manager on how the employee on the Autistic Spectrum is performing and addressing concerns, issues and providing feedback. 4. Discuss with Manager ways of informing the workplace of employee with Asperger Syndrome and point out where lunch room is, hours of work, tea breaks, toilets etc. 5. Ensure the employee with Asperger Syndrome is performing work which they can handle and if they have any problems to confront Line Manager or immediate Supervisor. 6. Employment Consultant to be on standby in case of emergency or work place issue, training or concern. 7. Manager to address whom to see in the advent of workplace issues, concerns etc 8. Supported wage to take on applicant with Asperger Syndrome. 9. End of year appraisal for employee with Asperger Syndrome to discuss areas of concern, improvement, performance and staff development opportunties 10. Decide what level of important is best for the applicant either full time or part time.

How we can make change to accept people on the Autistic Spectrum

I have heard recently that Australia fairs very badly in terms of Disability at the Geneva Convention on Disability Rights and I am not sure if I can speak for others, but such a reality is seriously concerning to hear. In terms of overall disability support and awareness, people are falling below the lines of a normal quality of life, missing out on essential services and being exposed to isolation, abuse, neglect or ignorance within the community. I think all disability support needs a drastic overhaul and Australia needs to fall in line with the rest of the world or set a benchmark to improve support and services for people affected by Autism and other disabilities. As we confront the upcoming election, and despite my efforts to writing to politicians, the United Nations and contacting the media, all that is needed to be done seems and impossible task. For an Autism Bill to be passed in the Australian Parliament as stated before requires the putting up of a Private Members Bill. Such a bill would ensure and keep the government accountable and within judicial responsibility of ensuring support and assistance available to those who so desperately need it. In terms of reducing unemployment in adults on the Autistic Spectrum, more support needs to go into the formation of employment agencies which specialise in all disabilities and more importantly Autism. Such agencies need to ensure they represent and support the client with Asperger Syndrome and if necessary provide training and support to Managers to ensure they are aware of the needs and requirements of the person concerned when lodging a job application and if at all lucky, attend a job interview. Often the argument arises as to tell or not to tell a potential employer of a person having Asperger Syndrome, but the arguments against don't hold much weight as compared to the arguments for disclosure. The job market is highly demanding and a great deal many applicants apply for employment but unlike other applicants, adults with Asperger Syndrome suffer more from social isolation, low self esteem and a means of purpose. Often their lack of social skills and being able to understand the Neuro Typical World around them creates a feeling of hopelessness if they don't have a job whether it be paid or unpaid. In my upcoming presentations with Dr Tony Attwood and with Dr Kate Sofronoff (Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Queensland) I will be addressing the issues and difficulties adults with Asperger Syndrome confront in finding a job, attending a job interview and maintaining a job. Quite simply someone has to say something to get the awareness out there. For a population of almost 23 million people it is a national disgrace that the awareness of disability, mental illness and Autism falls short or exists in silence. It is an epidemic, especially when we have more children and more adults being diagnosed on the Autistic Spectrum. Why is nothing being done? Can people power make a difference? Am I making a difference? All questions need to be carefully examined and looked into because this is a growing problem and adults and children should not just exist on some kind of waste land or rubbish heap. Everyone has to approach their local parliamentarians or standing candidates and outline to them the difficulties relating to the Autistic Spectrum. Together we can make a difference as for so long, Autism, Disabilities and Mental Health Issues remain un discussed and in darkness. I urge everyone to stand up to the politicians and make them listen!! People power can make a difference and it may take time but we need to start somewhere.

Election 2010

As Australia heads closer to the 21st August Election, I wonder who exactly is going to run the country. No matter what political persuasion you may or may not be, I think common sense tells you that our present situation has been a gross mismanagement of the political parties concerned. How can you vote for a party which quite frankly shafted it's leader and vote for one who did the same? It may be the nature of politics but I think the current internal workings of the present government have been clearly irresponsible. If a leader is elected to serve his country, then surely the leader should have the right to serve the full term without the rug being pulled out from beneath him and the later leader try to offer the hand of friendship or be a part of a party that will do anything to be reelected then quite frankly kick the Australian people up the butt. I am not convinced really with either leader and as time goes on, the political parties seem to elect leaders that are either not up to the job or just don't have what it takes. Recently I heard Mr Rudd criticise Tony Abbott which was perhaps a sign that the heavies were behind him. When you look at political history very few leaders or in fact none have been shafted in their first tenure of government. I am currently reading Alan Ramsey's book on Australian Political Leaders but I know from my own political science background that no prime minister that I have known of was treated the way that Mr Rudd was in his first term. John Gorton voted himself out of office with his casting vote on 10th March 1971 and John McKeowen couldn't stand working under Billy McMahon but the political stage seems to have changed. How many Australians know of the early prime minister, Andrew Fischer, Edmund Barton, John Watson, Joseph Cook and Joseph Lyons? If people need to vote then let them be educated rather not forced to vote and get slammed with a fine. really our school system needs to change to be more inclusive of Australian History both Aboriginal and European. If the country is to change or needs to change then small steps need to occur early in life rather than not at all.

Garry Burge phone call with Dr (Professor) Tony Attwood 3pm 4th August 2010

As I know there are some people following my blog, I thought I would update you and provide you with information as per my phone call with Dr Attwood today. I spoke to Tony on the phone where I am currently house sitting and informed him of the difficulties both adults and children encounter and how Australia needs to recognise Autism at a federal level and furthermore address the important issues of early intervention, awareness, understanding and support for both children and adults. More importantly I pointed out to Tony that adults are suffering within our community of people not understanding Asperger Syndrome in the areas of employment, living arrangements, job support, relationships and general awareness. Tony is also interested in looking at and supporting the possibilities of an Autism Bill in Australia like the one which currently exists in the United Kingdom. Within the phone conversation which lasted for approximately 20mins, Tony seems also interested and supportive of a means of a member of parliament putting up a Private Members Bill. I have been in touch with a Member of Parliament concerned at a Federal Level and the member Robert Oakeshott Federal Member for Lyne http://www.roboakeshott.com/. I will be hopefully talking with Robert Oakeshott and if necessary meet him in his constituency or for him to meet with me at the University of Queensland if at all possible. It is just a matter of what is convenient and what is possible. Should anyone be interested in my phone conversation with Tony please email me via this blog or visit my Facebook Page "Garry Burge" or the Creator of "Brisbane Asperger Syndrome Adults". In the meantime, I am working on a presentation to present with Dr Kate Sofronoff at the University of Queensland for Autism Queensland (Autism Queensland symposium). Should anyone be interested in what is happening here please contact me and I will endeavour to keep you posted with any developments and progress within this direction. Also I have submitted ideas to the University of Queensland for assistance with Speech Therapy and learning social skills and body language for adults with Asperger Syndrome. Please contact me for more information. This is all for now

House sitting and spoiled animals

As I have undertaken a few house sits in and around Brisbane I have noticed the lack of house training for pets in the houses concerned. Last night for instance, I had to deal with a dog that insists on going everywhere with you and expecting to sleep in the bedroom with you as this is what behaviour the owners seem to accept. Some of these animals are kept in the house at all times as if they are some kind of toys and I think this affects them psychologically. With the dog, the dog walked up and down the hall way and I found it hard to sleep. I tried locking the dog in one of the bedrooms so that this would stop but realised the owner did not want the animals in there for fear of them bed wetting. I tried the bathroom next and the dog scratched on the door and I tried a desperate measure of placing the dog downstairs and closing the door below the stairs to prevent the dog from coming up again. As there was no latch on the door, the only way I could keep the door closed was to tie a piece of rope on the door and fixing it to the stairway railing. Of course this worked for about 5 mins and the dog then started to whimper and bark, so I felt what other options do I have? The only option was to put the dog's bed outside the door and hope that the dog would settle down. I find I am a lighter sleeper and needed to take 2 Temazapin to help me sleep. Some people are neurotic with animals insisting a long recipe for them and wanting water changed once a day. I think animals sleepoing on their owners bed is rather extreme and with the animals being spoiled a change in their routine makes for them to play it over people. The cat tends to wander a lot and I am fearful that if I let the cat out for too long and if anything happens to it, then I am up for some explanation. I enjoyed the Wilston House Sit but really some people treat animals like toys and don't realise that locking an animal up in a house all day does affect the animal psychologically. I have also noticed that some pets may be used and please don't get me wrong for couples who cannot have children. Perhaps the animal is a defactor or substitute and people get carried away. I have not dealt with older people's house sits as yet but you get a different contrast from the house sits I am doing at the moment.