The changing nature of working in a library

When you next visit your library you may wonder what actually goes on behind the scenes with a library. Often people are unaware of the actual role of the various members of staff that work in a library. First of all you have the Librarian, then the Library Assistants, Library Technicians and then the General Staff. As Libraries move forward there is a great benefit in digitization of books and other items. Books last longer when they are stored digitally and furthermore items can be accessed world wide. A person may want to do research for instance on unique fauna and flora within the Rocky Mountains National Park and may want information from in or around the location itself. As the Rocky Mountains National Park is in an overseas location, finding reference material and other important information may only be available by visiting respective websites or contacting the University Library of Colorado in Boulder to try and obtain information. As you may be aware, Libraries have an 'Inter Library Loan" system whereby the book is requested by a person from the University of Queensland and arrangements are made between the University of Queensland and the University of Colorado for the person to obtain the book or information they may require. The problem is the cost of shipping the item if it is not available within Australia or the University Library not being able to request the item from the other library concerned. Also the item could become damaged, lost or held up in the postal process. Now if you can imagine if this material was available on line, you can see then the benefits. With the click of your mouse button, the information is available to you and you do not have to leave your home or visit your local library to make arrangements to obtain the material. A good way to envisage a library of the future is to see how the changing role of libraries need to be envisaged. Librarians would perhaps be in charge of their area of specialty and would ensure that subject material is properly digitalized. A great opportunity exists for adults on the Autism Spectrum within the digital library because I believe they would do a meticulous job within the process of transferring material from books to online collection. The question is how exactly would they do this? With Specialisterne focusing on computer software, software could be developed which is digital library friendly and adults on the spectrum could play a major role in working out how the procedure could be done and then implementing the procedure. There are many adults on the spectrum who have a university or a great wealth of knowledge and their special interests could be employed within the library revolution. Librarians nowadays are changing their role from traditional library qualifications to one which involves more IT awareness. So how does an adult on the spectrum obtain employment within a digital library then? The answer is not an easy one to obtain but first and foremost, experimentation is required for adults on the spectrum to work with the IT Industry to look into software library concepts. Money is required to fund such a project and with the University of Queensland having over 14 branch libraries, surely an experimental phase could begin on the digitalisation process. As I sometimes work with older books, their pages sadly deteriorate and furthermore they become damaged and if the book is not rescued too soon, all of the print is just faded and lost. There are many benefits to digitalisation and I hope in my life time I can be involved in such a project. How to make digital libraries user friendly, where to store the information, how Aspies can work in this area and other concepts are something that can be done but is just a matter of how and when. Perhaps you may see the merits in a digital library for better and longer storage of library items?

Making Australia and New Zealand more aware of Asperger Syndrome and to the rest of the world

I am finding the wheels of acceptance and awareness of Asperger Syndrome and Autism in Australia are happening painfully slow. Despite raising awareness and spending a great deal of time in advocacy, it seems that both Australia and New Zealand seem too much in the grips of complacency. People seem to think that Autism will perhaps go away, its not my problem, or it is not a life long condition to realise that their thoughts are not really helping the cause and to obtain necessary and important awareness and understanding. I recently as most people are aware was successful in getting an article into the Courier Mail which is an Australia paper on Monday 27th September 2010. This article featured my personal struggles with the difficulty in adults finding employment and how the government and society in general need to ensure they have a better understanding of what being on the Autism Spectrum is like. Asperger Syndrome falls within the Autism Spectrum but people have to 'move on' from the early 1990's generic description of Autism being like the movie "Rain Man". The Autism Spectrum affects an individual differently and the case varies from individual to individual. If the Autism Spectrum does not exist, then why are their higher levels of unemployment, social isolation and other more stringent difficulties in both the adult and child population? Why is nothing being done or governments failing to listen to the needs of people on the Autism Spectrum? One of the major problems is that people don't always see it and to know personally the struggles associated with being on the Autism Spectrum. Simply not knowing or understanding can make the life of the individual on the Autism Spectrum far worse than trying to understand. Sadly some people can treat people on the Autism Spectrum unfairly and it is essential that measures be implemented and awareness of Asperger Syndrome raised to deal with this problem. I would encourage people to become more open minded rather than dismissive as there is a large group of people, not only persons on the Autism Spectrum but their friends and family also affected by Autism as they see all too well and are aware of the person struggles that take place. I don't know how long it will be for both Australia and New Zealand to seriously overhaul their awareness strategies but I hope this happens sometime soon. Please keep an open mind concerning the Autism Spectrum is what all of us on the Autism Spectrum ask of you.

Asperger Syndrome into the future

As an adult with Asperger Syndrome I am very concerned with proposed changes to the DSM 5 classification. I believe that re classifying Autism is going to seriously undermine and destroy the work of many notable people and those diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome. A lot of people, I know of including Tony Attwood and key members in Asperger Services Australia are deeply concerned about the proposed changes taking place. I believe that making changes to a diagnostic assessment is really an ignorant exercise because many adults rely on the AS diagnosis to explain difficulties and the need for essential services. I think it is important that the work of Tony Attwood continues but future psychologists and other medical professionals need to be sufficiently trained in diagnosing persons correctly with Asperger Syndrome. If we are to promote and raise awareness, then we need to ensure that a high standard of awareness and diagnosis occurs at a professional level. I was diagnosed by Tony and I am grateful that I was fortunate to have met with him to understand just exactly why I was different, not able to obtain employment and find it impossible to be understood and make friends. Asperger Syndrome should remain as a diagnosis in my opinion and the American Medical Authority which wants to change it should be dissuaded from doing so.

Conference Presentations

If you would like me to speak at a conference or event on Asperger Syndrome, please don't hesitate to contact Asperger Services Australia, the University of Queensland Pscyhology Department or perhaps even visiting Tony Attwood's blog. So far I am looking into speaking more and in should you wish to contact me to speak at your event, I would need advance notice.

I will be speaking at the following event on Friday 5th November 2010 for the Queensland Autism Symposium with Dr Kate Sofronoff. My presentation will be on making the transition from school to employment. Should you wish for me to speak, please contact the following websites

Asperger Services Australia - http://www.asperger.asn.au/

The University of Queensland Department of Pscyhology http://www.psy.uq.edu.au/

Dr Tony Attwood's website http://www.tonyattwood.com.au/

I prefer requests to be made through these websites as I am also working part time and I need schedule in presentations with my work commitments. I am currently reviewing my contact details for conferences but please contact the above links for further information and for my contact details.

Information on my upcoming presentation with Dr Kate Sofronoff https://exchange.uq.edu.au/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.autismqld.com.au/userfiles/aspergersbrochure.pdf

Please note that clicking on this item will open up information about conferences I will be presenting at.

Regards
Garry Burge

Will Australia ever pass an Autism Act?

I am very concerned as an adult on the Autism Spectrum about whether or not the necessary level of awareness of Autism is going to occur in Australia. I feel my recent attempts to contact an independent member of parliament to put forward the proposal for a Private Members Bill has fallen in the wayside for an Autism Bill. In the conference I attended with Professor Tony Attwood, some serious concerns were raised about how Australia has ebbed and flowed in the last few years. Instead of moving forwards, it seems that Australia is regressing and this is of serious concern to me. I feel in all honesty that politicians seem removed from the realities that are happening around them. It seems that parliament is in itself a "Cosey Club" and all the perks and benefits tend to blind politicians from the realities of life in everyday Australia. I am personally annoyed by the current leader of the opposition in particular as he tends to always want to attack and want to become involved in mud slinging and personally I think a lot of Australian are sick of it. Politicians are not all bad and there are some good ones in power but what I find alarming and concerning is that too much and for too long the Australian and State Governments have resorted to mud slinging rather than governing the country. It seems that the Independents, especially Robert Oakeshott need a power base and perhaps an engagement with big business or to listen to the silent majority. Australian Prime Minister Robert Menzies once said that "we not only support the people who voted for us but those who voted against us" and I believe that despite personal differences, politicians need to listen to people more! I was in contact with Mr Robert Oakeshott prior to the election and I mentioned to him and provided him with some important information concerning the passage of the Autism Bill prior to the election. Since the election and post election, it seems that my and other people's efforts have just fallen in the way side. Mr Oakeshott informed me that he would contact me in around August and September 2010 but here it is the end of the month and no correspondence has been received at all. I think the likelihood of an Autism Bill similar to the one passed in the UK is going to be fraught with difficulties and complications and I don't see anything happening soon. The only person we can call upon for hope seems to be Bill Shorten. I don't care whether he has certain ambitions in his life, I am more concerned about what he can do in terms of disability. He seems to be the only member at a federal level interested in disability and I have not seen much from other members of parliament. We can only hope that one day an Autism Bill will be passed but for now, those of us affected by Autism can only do our best to survive as best we can.

Aspies pursuing long distance relationships but the hierarchy makes it heart attaching

One of the things I have noticed with some adults on the Autism Spectrum is their pursuit of long distance relationships overseas but these fraught with difficulty and heart ache. In my own experience, I have encounter and still encounter women from overseas. At the moment I am talking to a Russian woman who is quite friendly and seems genuine but I know in the back of my mind that the immigration process will make things impossible. It seems that for adults on the spectrum, a person from a foreign background like the adult on the spectrum is perhaps going to be more sympathetic, tolerant and understanding. Romance can be very difficult for adults on the spectrum and currently research is being undertaken Winnie Y P Lau a Research Phd Student under the supervision of Professor Tony Attwood. Should any adults wish to participate in this survey, I would encourage you to visit Tony's website by visiting the following link http://www.tonyattwood.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=777:an-invitation-to-participate-in-a-survey-on-intimacy&catid=124&Itemid=226 It seems that westernization perhaps creates obstacles for adults on the spectrum because it demands and expects too much of men on the spectrum. Often men with AS including myself just find the expectations too high and the chemistry too difficult. Some adults on the spectrum have married or entered relationships with women from other cultures. I know of one adult living in England who successfully married a lady from Mexico and is now residing in the UK. It seems unfortunate that immigration puts up so many obstacles to allowing simple happiness between two human beings as sadly immigration is deterred by the persons who try to break or violate the opportunities. It seems that adults on the spectrum are in a severe disadvantage in terms of pursuing international romance and I am not sure if immigration authorities perhaps need to be made aware of certain scenarios and to be compassionate on the grounds of these scenarios being a reality. I know in my own situation that the conventional means of constraint will mean that becoming friendly with this Russian lady whose name is Anna will be impossible or difficult but there is no harm in just being friends. I think awareness has to be made regarding the scenario of adults on the spectrum and long distance relationships and I would encourage anybody to voice their concerns and opinions by helping Winni with her research.

What exactly causes Asperger Syndrome?

I often wonder what causes Asperger Syndrome and why it affects me the way it does. I have wondered whether it is caused by some cognitive impairment, whether it is hereditary or whether it may be some digestive problem. Of course there are many theories and one day I am sure we will know. I was surprised to read in a recent report that there is no link to Autism and Digestion problems. I am sorry to say that such evidence is wrong. I am a person on the spectrum and I do get digestion problems. Some foods cause irritation and I have to be careful of what I eat, particularly when I am stressed. You don't need to be a medical expert to realise that anxiety affects the body in ways that disrupt normal day to day functioning. If you are tense a lot your immune system is going to weakened and if you are anxious, your digestion process is going to be affected. When I was younger, I used to have anxious episodes where to eat a piece of toast I had to virtually cut it into strips and I had to severely watch and control what I was eating. I am currently in the process of writing my book on employment related issues but eventually the book will be soon available if I get the chance to publish it. I have written over 11 000 words already and I feel fueled to write it because I am tired of the growing numbers of adults unemployed and somebody has to do something about it. I am focusing mainly on how adults can be employable and how society needs to understand Autism better. I think some of the current findings are incorrect and perhaps or what would be more beneficial is to actually ask persons on the spectrum about how they relate and cope to certain situations. I have heard the vaccine case but I think more importantly we need to focus on underlying causes and whether or not AS is also hereditary.

The quality people in history

I think all people like to look up to someone that provides all the qualities of being someone to admire. There have been many people who have traversed through the centuries into our history books, and some who we may know about and others we never meet in a lifetime. I was reading about Franklin Delano Roosevelt who served 3 terms as President of the United States from 1933 through to 1945. A period of just a little over 10 years. In his speeches to the nation during the Great Depression, Roosevelt spoke to his countrymen by radio broadcasts known as his 'fire side chats'. These chats were to provide comfort to the many millions of people affected by poverty, and depression. Franklin Roosevelt also suffered from Polio and history tells us that this was a debilitating disease causing paralysis of the legs and other limbs with the only real treatment of the time being confinement to an iron lung. I have always had an interest in history because in my opinion history reveals the failures, achievements and mistakes made by humans. Throughout life we have built things, destroyed things, competed against each other and seen the world plunge into wars. The construction of the RMS Titanic for instance was an exercise in human ego being the world's tallest ship and being sunk by a collision with an iceberg at mid sea in April 1912. Quality people in history are those who have performed with modesty in their roles and often they are simply forgotten about and not enough attention is really paid to their input into the world as too much focus can be on certain factors and events. While I sit writing this blog entry I am aware of the light bulb that casts light onto the computer screen in front of me which has existed longer as a simple everyday device than the computer. When Thomas Edison crafted the light bulb it took him several attempts to get it to work. He was blowing up bulbs more so than achieving his desired expectation with them and Edison famous quote "Genius is 1% inspiration 99% percent perspiration" is something that portrays his determination and frustration in life. When we live our lives we are reliant on objects that surround us but leading busy lives we are not always aware of their historical significance or perhaps the people who helped to bring to our lives the very necessities that we rely on today. Some of the quality people I admire in history are many but Theodore Roosevelt is one with his stirring speeches, Abraham Lincoln whom I believe was modest and suffered a lot of strain in his life and Helen Keller who despite her critics, succeeded in over coming all difficulties. I think too often that people of quality seem to fall away to those who take all of the lime light and one wonders why this is the case. Quality is something that perhaps needs to be crafted in people and sadly it is disappearing at a fast rate today.

Newspaper Article - The Courier Mail 27th September 2010

This morning I found out that my article due for submission to the Courier Mail has been published. It was a preliminary before the Employment Seminar with Dr Tony Attwood on Friday 24th September 2010 Work and Asperger's - Employing people with AS Hopefully this article will raise awareness and get action undertaken to do something about Autism in adults. We can only hope? At the moment I am slowly working on writing my book about the transition of adults with Asperger Syndrome into employment. More updates later. Please note that on Friday 5th November 2010, I will be speaking with Dr Kate Sofronoff from the University of Queensland concerning the transition of adolescents with Asperger Syndrome into employment.

The Sunday experience

I always find that Sunday is the worst of all days to re-ignite my energy for the upcoming week. As I only work 5 days a week and I don't work on weekends, I find that Sunday is the day that people don't seem to want to do anything. It is like people go into hibernation and have some form of "Sundayitis" or perhaps leading to "Mondayitis". The start of every week is a week of your life gone by and another starting. I guess it is an Aspie thing but Sunday seems old fashioned to me. It is the day of the sabbath when people used to go to church and I guess which is why people don't traditionally work or one to do anything on this day. I remember when I lived in Armidale that weekends were numbing and social isolation was at its worst. People usually had their own clicks of people to be or hang around and people my age used to play sport and if you were badly coordinated it was too bad so sad. I spent 4 years living in Armidale and the rest of my life in Brisbane except when I have been overseas. Brisbane seems to have a rural like backward mentality which is slowly and progressively moving forwards. Gone are the days thankfully when weekends were a no go zone but you find in Brisbane that people like to socialise during weekdays and do nothing or very little on weekends. I guess they spend the time with friends and family and if you are not within this situation, then you are on the outer. Brisbane is booming ahead at a slow pace but being in the city on Friday and looking over at the construction going on, some new buildings have emerged. I do not like or warm to Brisbane being out of sync with the other southern east coast cities when they adopt Daylight Saving in the first weekend of October and this ending in the first weekend in April. The debate always arises of whether Brisbane should fall into line with the southern capitals and I believe it should. It seriously misses out on essential business and is behind the southern cities due to an hour's difference. I am not a real fan of daylight saving but I am not a fan of seeing a time zone difference during summer. I think Brisbane needs to review summer time and seriously consider ways of falling into line with its southern counterparts. Sunday seems to be a no go zone for many people and I think this originates perhaps from the old village mentality of it being a day of solitude than the traditional day of worship. Perhaps for many people it is a reprieve before the start of a new week, and what this week will herald. I find Sunday goes very slowly and there is very little on in Brisbane unless you have a special interest. This time of year is good before the humidity sets in and that is no fun for a person with sensory issues. I guess nothing is perfect but it is good to see Brisbane slowly moving forward and eliminating all trace of its past. I guess everyone has a different way of feeling on Sunday. Perhaps my experience is unique to me?

Adapting workplaces and employing adults on the Autistic Spectrum

Sadly the figures for Australia and the rest of the world are not very high in terms of employing adults on the Autism Spectrum. At the conference I attended and spoke with Professor Tony Attwood "Work and Asperger's - Employing people with AS", I highlighted the issues that Australia and the world encounter of the difficulties adults have in passing the job interview and having the time and means necessary to demonstrate their abilities within employment. I also mentioned how employment agencies need to become more aware of Autism and how to provide interview support, on the job training and assistance with career development within the workplace. How and what then can be done to make positive change and assist adults in obtaining employment? First and foremost, Autism needs to not been seen as a disability but more so an attribute in any given and conducive work environment. For adults perhaps conventional employment does have with it many drawbacks with the design, social requirements and expectations within its very framework and the adoption of a more Autism conducive concept needs to be incorporated. Currently there is a great deal of energy and some positive results occurring in software testing for adults and like I have mentioned in my earlier posts, Specialisterne in Denmark is one company which has a high rate of employ ability success for adults on the Autism Spectrum and another one "Autism Works" is being trialled by friend and fellow Aspie, Chris Mitchell who lives in England. I firmly believe that employing adults on the spectrum is of paramount urgency because as we myself included could be doing a lot more than bidding time or existing on existing on welfare payments encountering low self esteem and a lack of purpose or motivation in life. Within conventional employment, the main focus is needed on training Managers in understanding Asperger Syndrome. I will be speaking at an upcoming seminar on 5th November with Dr Kate Sofronoff on the transition from school into employment and one of the things which needs to be highlighted is that authority figures compared to the school yard also need to be present within the work environment. For a Line Manager, they need to understand the strengths and abilities of an adult on the Autistic Spectrum and to try and ensure that support and necessary modifications are made to allow for employment sustainability and immunity against discrimination, bullying and exploitation. Clear direction is required in order to ensure that work is carried out and understood by the person to avoid the difficulties of anxiety associated with direction and job duties. If Managers are to be trained then a code of procedures needs to exist or a handbook so as to ensure that a clear set of guidelines is clearly understood by the employer, the employee and more importantly the employment consultant. Often adults may fear working or choose not to work because of sensory issues, vulnerability to bullying or being overwhelmed by work place politics or hierarchy. I would like to be involved with strategies for training managers and more importantly finding employers similar to Specialisterne to employ adults on the Autistic Spectrum. One day I hope that Mr Thorkil Sonne will visit Brisbane, Australia but in the meantime, all I can do is try to promote awareness and looking at ways of training managers to be more Autism Alert and Aware! I feel that I could be contributing more to life than just shelving books in a library like I have for the last 5 years. It just seems so hard to find another job as I am not money obsessed but more so in pursuit of finding employment that suits my abilities and gives me a sense of purpose and self esteem. The wheels of progress seem so slow but I can only hope that more support and services and more importantly employment eventuates for adults on the Autistic Spectrum.

Asperger Syndrome and the Adult Wilderness

For many adults diaganosed with Asperger Syndrome later in life, often the issues arise of what to do next and what support is available become apparent as obvious questions. For adults there are not always services which are available to deal with diagnosis later in life and the only simple solution it seems is to find a support group and try and meet other adults on the spectrum. Within Australia a great deal of work is being undertaken by myself to greatly improve services and support for adults and Brisbane is at the forefront in having the Minds and Hearts clinic. This provides counseling and support for adults and children a first of its kind in the world. Dr Michelle Garnett owns and runs this clinic and she worked with Professor Tony Attwood. Although Minds and Hearts needs to go further, it at least provides support for adults but sadly many are unable to afford the high fees for consultations, diagnosis and group therapy. The medical fraternity need to become aware of Autism and finding an "Aspie Friendly" GP is like finding a needle in a haystack so to speak. Some Doctors and Medical Professionals confront a great deal of ignorance when understanding Autism and I have heard that Doctors in their training receive little or no real training in Autism and little awareness of mental health issues. In Australia, there are many conditions which are immediately apparent but Autism as a 'stand alone' situation does not really get the support and awareness which is so badly needs. As an adult, I find Queensland exists in a wilderness in terms of Autism awareness. The state has a shocking record of people not understanding it and furthermore the education system is not making any change or improvements to persons on the Autistic Spectrum. We cannot always win the minds and hearts of people with closed minds but awareness and education need to become available to slowly rectify such difficulties. If Australia is to change and more so Queensland, then we need to start the awareness and support with early intervention as soon as possible. We need to have early intervention and support within our schools and then onto universities or training and employment. At the seminar which I attended and spoke with Asperger Services Australia recently and with Dr Tony Attwood also a speaker, we all outlined the difficulties experienced and encountered within this country. It saddens me when I see high profile sporting celebrities going alone with their own support groups and funding and missing out on high quality speakers and adults for I believe that we all need to come under the one umbrella to provide support, awareness and action in order to make change. I am aware that Luke Priddis a high profile Rugby League Football player has a son on the Autistic Spectrum and it would be good if more organisations worked together to have a unified and united approach to the difficulties and issues associated with Autism. If the world and especially Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom as major western countries are going to have an Autism Epidemic then it clearly makes sense that something needs to happen now in order to ensure that the difficulties are looked into before reaching adulthood. As an adult, I feel it is too late for me at times. I am unable to make it in terms of employment and relationships and I feel that support and services for adults over 30 is becoming more difficult. Many adults with Autism seem to want to go it alone and perhaps try to live with Autism their own way but will life get harder for them as they grow older? The adult wilderness can be overcome if more services match those who need concern. Just imagine if Asperger Services Australia was able to implement housing for adults on the Autistic Spectrum and lifestyle support. Just imagine also if we can employ adults and be at the forefront of Autism Awareness. Sadly these can only be thoughts as the complacency in Australia always seems to take over and create a burden in this country. So much more could be done if governments would only listen and people understand. Perhaps a legacy for future generations to understand and find solutions too. I leave you with this thought. Just imagine you had a friend, a child or a family member on the Autistic Spectrum. Wouldn't you want to ensure support and services were available for them? Australia we really need to do something about this and jettison the complacency!

Understanding the denial factor

I come into contact with people or know of adults who are in denial or perhaps don't want to admit or accept that they have Asperger Syndrome. What can be done therefore to understand or deal with this situation? I remember back to my own diagnosis by Professor (Dr) Tony Attwood in 1998 and coming to terms with the situation at the time. I felt like where next? What am I supposed to do? What will people and society think? Should I tell or not tell other people? As we live in a society that is slowly coming to terms with the Autism Spectrum there are some people who may understand or be open minded concerning Asperger Syndrome and others who may just close their minds and not want to try and understand nor accept. It has taken me since the years of my own diagnosis, to come to terms and accept who I am as a person and how to live with Autism. I know of some adults who perhaps don't feel it proper or comfortable to disclose the fact that they have Autism and despite what you may think or feel, the decision is really up to them. As society accepts and understands Autism, perhaps those people will at some point disclose or except how their diagnosis affects them or their maybe others that know they have Asperger Syndrome and may have concerns about disclosing it in their workplace, friends or family. Unfortunately, Australia has a long way to go before drastic changes in Autism Awareness will occur. There are some communities and sectors within Australia who have closed minds and feel their are more pressing matters or concerns or perhaps are completely unaware of Autism as it does not affect their immediate family or lifestyle. I think and I hope that over time more and more of society will understand Autism but for now it is just a matter of getting the wheels of understanding and acceptance into momentum. Autism is a part of you, it is not you and nor should it be an excuse for unacceptable or inappropriate behaviours. Change to the definition of Asperger Syndrome seriously concern me but for the moment awareness needs to occur. For a person just diagnosed they may be coming to terms with how exactly Autism affects them and Autism does manifest itself differently in others. Hopefully this post may provide a clearer approach and understanding of what to do about the denial of Autism factor?

Asperger Syndrome Employment Seminar

Today I presented at the Asperger Services Australia Employment Seminar a long with Professor Tony Attwood, Rachel Harris, and Alex Goodwin. There was a good turn out with approximately 60 people in attendance and the presentation has been recorded which will be made available and for more information please contact Asperger Services Australia by emailing office@asperger.asn.au or visiting their webiste http://www.asperger.asn.au/ I believe the presentation was good at highlighting the issues of unemployment in adults with Asperger Syndrome but sadly my concern is what will hopefully happen after this presentation has finished? We can only hope for some positive feedback and information awareness. I think it is unfortunate that in Queensland, Australia that there is serious lack of awareness more particularly from Education Queensland. More importantly I am concerned by my own perception that people in Australia want for Autism to go away or not deal with the very issues of the people who are on the Autistic Spectrum or for friends and families concerned. The presentation in my opinion highlighted serious issues and difficulties that exist within the employment area and hopefully in time more people will become aware and the barriers of ignorance or lack of support broken down. I spoke for 30 mins on what I consider to be the core issues of bullying, hierarchy, social skills difficulty, disability discrimination, lack of employment agencies who provide on the job support and assistance with job interviews. Also mentioned was Australia hopefully adopting a means of employing adults on the Autistic Spectrum. I think Australia needs to lift its veil of complacency and really do something about Autism and more importantly the University of Queensland can do more. I would encourage anyone interested to contact Asperger Services Australia as mentioned above for the recording of today's seminar.

My diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome by Dr Tony Attwood

Few people seem to be aware when Dr Tony Attwood is mentioned in the non Autistic World but others may also be unaware that Tony is actually based here in Brisbane. I first heard about Tony when I was in my mid 20's and having contacted him in 1997, Tony had his clinic at Macgregor. At the time I was in my final year of a Bachelor of Arts Degree at the University of New England and I was confused about life and what was actually wrong with me. I was keen to obtain a diagnosis and I met with Tony for an hour in his clinic and discussed with him or more succinctly informed him of my life, the struggles I had and why I was different, feeling depressed and misunderstood in life. It was liberating to have spoken with Tony because talking to myself was not an act of madness, and being different was something not to be ashamed of and at last I knew what was wrong with me. For a lot of adults, diagnosis is something that is hard to come to terms with. The questions arise of "Where to now?", "Am I alone?", and "Am I the only one who finds it hard to make friends and suffer social isolation?". After meeting with Tony, I wanted to find out if I was alone in my diagnosis and I joined Asperger Services Support Network which is now Asperger Services Australia. I consulted a list which contained the contact details of its members and I narrow down the list to see if there were other adults on this list. When I found some of them mentioned and then their contact details, I decided to make contact to see if I could find out how or whether it was possible to form a support group. With some effort this was executed and the group later grew from 4 to over 40 members. Back then, I was unable to handle stress and cope with anxiety and I had to withdraw but since working in my current job and having contact with another adult in the United Kingdom, Chris Mitchell, I decided to get full swing into advocacy. I still keep in touch with Chris when I can, and try to touch base with Tony also. As Tony is busy it is not always possible to communicate with him but in my last phone call, I informed Tony about my own experiences and when I feel something is of importance to him, I email him or try and contact him by phone. Brisbane is indeed fortunate to have Tony Attwood here and I hope that Tony is able to visit the UQ Adult Group. What concerns me is that I believe Tony is equipped to diagnose adults but the more and more Psychologists that are about, are they properly diagnosing Asperger Syndrome? My appointment with Tony I felt was proper and professionally undertaken and having been diagnosed by Tony, I feel that I am hopefully a helpful contribution to him and the awareness of Asperger Syndrome that he carries out on a global scale. Unfortunately I struggle with academia and being able to obtain qualifications has meant that I cannot work closely with Tony but I feel that I can contribute to awareness in other ways. In Australia and more so Brisbane, Asperger Syndrome is in its infancy and taking time to reach the forefront of a parallel with the rest of the world. Very few male adults on the spectrum have written from what I can see information of their own situations and awareness of Asperger Syndrome in adults. I don't want to boast about myself but I hope that my own experiences can illustrate some of the difficulties adults on the spectrum have. I know a lot of adults and I am aware of the work Dr Tony Attwood undertakes. I think Minds and Hearts is a positive start but I do believe that Minds and Hearts needs to cater for adults separately than it does for children. Adults needs are different and compared to children where symptoms cannot always be verbalized adults are able to inform a counselor about the issues they confront which are depression, anxiety and frustrations. These can relate to relationship issues, being unemployed etc. I remember Tony running workshops which unfortunately are not always affordable for people on low incomes and him informing adults of what he termed and 'anxiety lever'. I am looking forward to talking with Tony tomorrow and some other adults and meeting other adults attending the employment seminar.

Schooling

My schooling began in 1977 in Albany Creek to where I attended Pre School. I can remember my first day at Pre School where all the children were issued with a Napkin and a cup for drinking water and a hook to hang our pre school apparel on. I could never really understand the process as the hooks from memory were not always reachable and I could not understand why hooks appeared on a wall but I tried my best to understand the process. I can remember also doing basic things that toddlers my age were doing but more importantly I seemed to fear or not get on with the other children. This was my first experience within the socialization process. All these other children around who looked like me but yet I knew I didn't think like they did. I can remember never getting into trouble but I do remember some of the activities I was encouraged to participate in but never really understanding or doing well in these activities. In 1978 I began the transition from Pre School to Primary School. Back then the school buildings had this kind of space ship appearance. They had yellow doors, blue strange looking down (water) pipes and I remember the period quite well. Back then the school system did not understand Autism as children who were different were confined to tasks away from other children. Instead of learning, I was filling in colouring in books and sticking odd shaped stickers into drawings. For example there was a seal and dolphin and I was doing this rather than blending in with the other children. In late 1978, my family moved from Albany Creek to Kenmore. I started Primary School which was for a period of 7 years. Primary School wasn't as bad as High School but it wads an interesting period. I can remember in 1982 seeing the Endeavour Replica of Captain Cook's ship at Caloundra. I can remember the Bjelke Peterson government being in full swing and how I believe it negatively impacted on children. There was I believe a forced indoctrination of socialisation which adopted the stupid TE Score System later. This system stereo typing students into some category system of measuring a score to determine success and outcome. I detested High School and loathed every day of it. I was never understood and I was bullied and teased a lot. The game of enjoyment was having a boy who who was different punching me while the other boys in a gang watched on from a distant egging him on. Not only did I have to suffer this but ignorant teachers who constantly took the time to try and show me up or make me look stupid. The authority figures were just as bad in their pursuit of trying to ensure that the system made it possible to put down difference or my eccentricity. I was told I would never go to University and I had no brains and ability. I didn't agree with these assessments or findings but at the time just survived as best I could. Bullying and teasing is really psychologically degrading for Aspies as we are not able to defend ourselves. I was constantly having to defend myself within the school system as nobody stood up or had the guts to stand up for me. It was me against the school and me needing to rely on my intelligence to try and solve difficult situations. I never had friends in High School and retreated to the library at lunch time reading encyclopedias and gathering facts about people and events. I knew also that the bullies could not get me in the library, so I knew it was a safe zone. I could never understand why I was constantly bullied and teased just for being different. Why were some teachers so ignorant and cruel in their assessments? Why I was forced to admit to the class that I cheated when I had help from my parents in an Art assignment and why did I receive 2 0ut 0f 20% for a Geography Assignment? I hated the place and just wanted to get out!!!! With the Art Assignment I was made to get up in front of the class, admit I cheated and admonished as to why the class should be affected by my grade? I thought what a bunch of vindictive people and I felt and thought to myself what a war zone! It was the Deputy Principal that asked me to come out in front of the class and reveal I cheated and you can imagine what my self esteem was like? I am very concerned about schooling for children and adolescents on the Autistic Spectrum. I think a school environment needs modification but I do not believe that children should be alienated or people telling their parents they have behavioural problems and should be medicated. Why medicate eccentricity and creativity? The school years are not always pleasant and a lot of adults on the Autistic Spectrum seem to have been bullied in their earlier years which can seriously I believe cause scaring later in life. I have heard about Education Queensland which has hopefully let go of a lot of the Bjelke Peterson destruction but I have heard it is still bad. Will change ever occur and will Autism awareness be implemented and important modifications made to accept its existence within education? It took me 2 years since 1990 to shed and shirk all the pain and bullying I experienced in High School which I believe wrecks a lot of adolescents, especially those with Autism. I can write more details about my school years but this is just a reflection. I am happy to advise education systems of having important modifications can be made within the school system if required. For now change needs to begin.

Being born with Autism

Throughout my life, I have always questioned, felt different and alienated from the world around me. When I was younger and prior to diagnosis, I never could connect with anyone and still have difficulty with this today. My earlier years were spent in large periods of social isolation and talking to myself. I remember as far back when living in Albany Creek and staring out upon a distance road with a green fence, of why I talked to myself and thinking that I needed to jettison the habit. As I grew up with older siblings, and perhaps them being on the spectrum to a minor extent, I could never really connect with them. Not because I didn't want to but rather because I didn't know how too. I think my own instance and occurrence of Autism came from my Paternal Grandfather and perhaps from my Maternal Grandfather. Both had their peculiar habits, especially with my Paternal Grandfather adhering to exact appointments times to when my immediate family could visit being a Sunday at 2.30pm exactly and a dislike or rather an intolerance of children and the sound they made. Added to this a dislike of furniture being moved around and some other factors. My Maternal Grandfather was a collector of clocks, and liked his routine. He was good at Maths and had a strict adherence to bookkeeping and balancing figures so I guess this could be on some form of the spectrum. I think my own family has some traits of persons on the Autism Spectrum but I think I am the most affected. I find it hard to connect with people and throughout my life I have adopted my own coping strategy. People find me too intense at times and furthermore I struggled a lot with trying to make friends when I was younger. I just didn't know what was exactly wrong with me. Why was I disorientated by sound? Why did I talk to myself? Why did I wear the same clothes and people thinking I was poor when I had a fabric sensitivity? Why did I have problems with reading and having poor co-ordination in playing sports and in motor clumsiness? Nothing was known about Autism back then and as an adult it has taken me a long time to get used to the fact that I am different and see things differently to other people. When I listen to Temple Grandin, I can relate to a lot of what she says but when I think about adults on the Autism Spectrum, I find there are very few men who have come forward. A lot of adults whom I know whom are male seem perhaps not able or willing to come forward and disclose that they have Autism. It is hard being male with it but you just have to accept how it affects you. I have grown tired of public perception and trying to fit into all these unrealistic codes and expectations. I know that I have to better myself but if I am forced to try and be someone I am not, I find it all too overwhelming. Currently the advocacy I am undertaking is at it strongest point. I tried to think that I could go on and not let Autism affect me but I found I got nowhere. I either offended people by saying something I was unaware of or people would alienate themselves from me. I knew that this could not continue and that enough was enough. It was time to come forward, enlighten people and accept how Autism affects me. When I was younger, I had very poor sleeping habits. I would listen to a radio all night, more so listening to overnight talk shows on current affairs etc. I thought sleeping poorly was normal and I can remember having dreams of seeing objects move forward while I was sleeping and being unable to touch them. Just imagine you see all of the shapes you may remember made out of wood. These including triangles, rectangles, squares, circles, cones, spheres and cubes. I would see these in front of me but when I tried to touch them they were too distant to actually touch. I can also remember seeing red lines in my dreams or in my nocturnal thought process where they would make the shape of naughts and crosses. I was also afraid of the dark for a long period and if I heard someone discuss a ghost story or some story about "Astral Travel" where a person would supposedly leave their body and see themselves or travel elsewhere, that this would affect me. When I had to undertake some goal that I had, I would look ahead and see a forward projection. For instance and this is what I found in my Paternal Grandfather to be a classic sign of Autism. Although my Grandfather was English and came from Bristol, I remember his garden in Brisbane. His lawn was always well cut and trimmed. Never a blade of grass out of shape nor a weed in the lawn and more importantly all the plants in his garden were well cared for and placed in some kind of order. He spoke with a slow English Accent, walked like a robot, and didn't seem to have or portray feelings. Well this was my perception at the time at any rate. If Autism is hereditary, then I wonder how far back it goes and why I picked up the most Autism than others around me? I guess one day more will be known?

Lifestyle Programme for adults on the Autistic Spectrum

Approaching 40 seems to some as over the hill but for me it is a continual means of keeping myself both fit and mentally healthy. What do I do then to ensure that I continue to keep myself in check? For any adult no matter whether young or old, keeping yourself fit is an important requirement. You live in your body and if you treat it right, it will treat you right. If you abuse it or neglect to look after it, just like a car it will ultimately break down. I have now been going to the gym for approximately 4 months and I am undertaking an exercise program. The exercises range from bench presses, cardio work out, leg curls, sit ups, chest presses etc. The purpose of going to the gym is not too look like Arnold Schwarzenegger but more importantly to feel better about myself. Yes I also go to the gym to try and also look good for the opposite sex but if you feel fit, you feel better about yourself. I see so many people neglect the area of health and appearance in themselves and sadly they are at risk of major health problems if they don't do something about it sometime soon. Exercise programs are not easy and yes they do involve physical exertion but paying the price of feeling better and healthier is a better alternative to having a heart attack, cancer or a stroke and the list goes on. When I was in my early 20's I started going to the gym as I had 'weedy' shoulders and I felt I had to do something about my physical appearance. I see so many young people today who could simply feel better about themselves if they took the time to go to the gym and do a simple workout. It doesn't take much time and the benefits of it can be rewarding. Anxiety is something I find a constant problem but I am experiencing it less now as I start to undertake cardio vascular work. For all adults and I emphasise especially adults on the Autistic Spectrum, the benefits of exercise can be good at significantly reducing anxiety and a way depending on your own circumstances of weaning off the meds. You need to talk to your GP first before you do anything drastic. I am working on ways or finding exercises significantly geared and helpful for adults with Autism. Exercises would include anxiety management, ways to improve performance and functioning and greatly increase self esteem. As a lot of adults are not working and have no structure in their lives, the biggest risk is an increase in mental health issues as they are seldom getting out of the house and more importantly ensuring they have structure and positive routines in their lives. As social isolation can be a significant problem, adults also run the risk of anxiety getting out of control and mental health issues becoming apparent. I tend to see the gym instructor whether male or female as an 'artificial' friend. They are somebody you can talk to and being in a public relations role, you can at least communicate with them so long as you are aware of the boundaries that if they are male they cannot be your friend and if they are female, they are not able to be a girlfriend etc. The boundaries of course are not that clearly defined which can be confusing as often public relations people can confuse Aspies in that because they are friendly, the Aspie may think they are putting out the hand of friendship and then fall short when the boundary becomes clearly apparent. I am starting to feel better in myself since undertaking exercises and I am trying to reduce intensity so that anxiety and obsessions no longer take over. For instance, if I get a thought in my head to act on something, I am finding that I can control it better than what I used to. Changing the world is impossible and expecting things to happen instantly is not always possible either. I feel like my body is working better and I wish I could get my cerebellum to function better to control movement but unfortunately preference for routine and monotone voice is still something I am working on. I would like to show other adults how to keep fit, cook meals, manage their finances, improve executive function and learn other life style skills but I am only one person. I am concerned about the adults who are in the grips of unemployment as I am too well aware of their self esteem and the fact they are at risk of anxiety and other mental health issues. This is why somebody needs to speak about adult unemployment for adults on the Autistic Spectrum. It is a big challenge for me to get up in front of people but somebody has to say and do something otherwise these adults will not get heard. They have so much to offer and existing on disability pensions and being excluded from society is simply not good enough. I am frustrated at the government's lack of response in dealing with much needed services for adults and I would like to work at strategies of combating the problem. In conclusion therefore, unemployment and the need for exercise is a key ingredient for adults to ensure they have healthy and functioning lives.

Child hood experiments

When I was younger I used to conduct experiments and find out the reactions. Some experiments were putting pure alcohol into a plate notably Icol and then setting it on fire, filling a glass with vinegar and adding bi carb of Soda and watching the chemical reaction. I also conducted experiments with water siphoning and finding ways of making water go upwards rather than downwards with the flow of gravity. I also used to take apart clocks and then put them back together but find it hard going to keep them working. I also made flame torches by getting a bromstick and wrapping a cloth around it and then dampening the cloth with methylated spirits. Other experiments included making counter weights, making things with Mercano Sets (Steel Devices used for Engineering Projects), Walkie Talkies, Shortwave Receivers, and trying to make kites. I remember the first Kite I had was one my father made out of 2 pieces of doweling with all ends tied with string resembling a diamond shape. I wanted to see how high I could fly a kite before it came crashing down. I presumed that the more string or fishing line I put on the kite, the more further I could send it into the heavens. In a rural location, with the weather being perfect, I sent this kite into the skies and it went higher and higher with more and more strong fishing wish attached to it. It was so high at one point that it was a fair height. I am not sure of the rules associated with kite flying because can a kite actually interfere with aircraft? My thought at the time was that if it did, then the string would snap and I can't imagine any damage done. Well it would be hard to get a kite to go that high at any rate. One of the things I used to do with kite flying was playing the game of sending messages to the kite itself. What you would do was to get a piece of paper and put a slit into it and then watch it as it went up the string to meet with the kite itself. Out of all forms of kites the best ones are the diamond shape ones as they fly the best. Box Kites are usually hard to fly and they require a lot of window to keep them airborne. Kites were always fun to play with but the problem nowadays is that suburban areas have many obstacles associated with them such as close together houses and nobody seems to fly kites anymore. I can remember trying to make Lemonade with an old recipe of adding so much water, adding lemons and then sugar. Lemonade tasted good and better than the lolly water you buy in the shops. Orchids were another experiment to find out what form of fertilizer was best to get them flowering. Another experiment was ways of riding a bike up hill and not having to rely on foot pedals. I worked out that if you fish tailed up the street going from side to side in a diagonal direction that it took the strain off riding straight upwards despite being slow. Tree climbing was also another thing I did which was to find a tree which had easy limbs to climb and see how high I could get. The list of childhood experiments go on.

An Autism Aware and Supportive University

Yesterday, I met with a few adults and the newly appointed Student Disability Advisor at the University of Queensland. I was pleased to hear that the newly appointed staff member had previously worked in the United Kingdom where a great deal of support and awareness of Autism is evident. Some of the concepts discussed were for and this I must only emphasize is just discussion, is for an Autism Aware Facility within UQ. There would be many advantages to this but as things can only be discussed at this point and remain just hopeful optimism, I was happy to have met with the Disability Advisor at any rate. What then are the advantages and purposes of an Autism Support Facility at UQ? To begin with, many adults with Autism should be afforded the opportunity of being able to nurture and harness their abilities. For example, depending on their level of expertise or possible special interests which may include Science, Maths etc. A supportive university environment would provide assistance and encouragement to those individuals concerned. Furthermore, there may exist students who would like to further their skills and academia to perhaps consider post graduate study or pursue some academic career, perhaps in the area of a Phd or Tutor etc. I think that if the University of Queensland were to take on board such an initiative, it would pave the way for future students on the Autistic Spectrum and their families to be reassured that their family member would have peace of mind knowing that support would be available at a Tertiary Level. Some adults with Asperger Syndrome have already pursued tertiary study and have survived as best they can but I think sadly, some adults on the spectrum give up at university level because they know that support and services are not available to accommodate their needs. Sadly people that would play an important role and function within an academic environment and truly demonstrate the hallmarks of tertiary study are denied the opportunity of success. As this is only a thought at the moment an Autistic Friendly University and a first for Australia and New Zealand would include the following: 1. An adult group at the University to ensure support and a safe/time out zone for the stresses of existing in an academic environment. 2. Support and liaison between students/staff and lecturers to ensure that support is available. 3. The University to approach Secondary Schools and to promote awareness within the general public of the opportunities and support for people with a disability including the Autistic Spectrum. 4. The Autism Support Facility (Possible Name Change) to provide encouragement and no longer deter disability within its framework. Of course a lot great deal of input and fine tuning would need to be considered to allow such an establishment to exist but generating ideas I consider to not be an issue. I remember back to my own university days where I struggled through a Bachelor of Arts Degree at the University of New England and although I had close contact with academics, the problem I confronted was a lack of support to truly allow me the opportunity of identifying my own problems and finding support and solutions to overcome them. Maybe support for Autism may never occur within the University of Queensland but should UQ undertake such an initiative, it would be fostering or promoting a positive image and be the first in Australia and perhaps the rest of the world in adopting such a strategy. I have fought long and hard to keep the UQ Asperger Group going and now it is good to see some support in ensuring that the group continues but I think more can be done. The University needs to make the group more known and aware of so to ensure that potential students, and staff know of its existence. Positive and productive work needs to be carried out and implemented to reveal the group to the the campus and to attract and ensure future students on the spectrum are aware of its existence. I think and firmly believe the pioneering needs to begin. Education Queensland also needs to change and furthermore the attitude and support for potential and current students/staff also needs to change. We can only hope and do the best we can! Another project which also would be both useful and valuable is the beginning of the digitisation process of material in all 14 branch libraries. Perhaps adults on the Autistic Spectrum could play a useful part in this process and also obtain productive and worthwhile employment?!

Surviving the unconventional way

For each and everyone of us we have our silent struggles and our times of difficulty. I am reminded to when Senator John F Kennedy while in hospital recovering from back surgery, wrote "Profiles in Courage" in 1954 - 1955. This was his summation of 8 political figures he wrote about while in his state of convalescence. I am no John F Kennedy, but I have my own profile in courage in that I endured 38 years of having to understand people, make a go of life and to try and get somewhere with the time I have available. Existing in the conventional sense is not easy for me for despite several efforts to write a book, undertake a Phd and assist with a documentary on Asperger Syndrome in adults, all of my attempts have seem to have become failures and not developed into reality. I have grown to accept that living in the conventional world and obtaining the success that goes with it is is not really going to happen. I have a lot of difficulty with assimilating information and I struggle in the areas of comprehension. This simply means that I can write a lot but when it comes to comprehending information and making sense of what other people find easy is in itself for me a major struggle. Why then do I survive in the unconventional way? My whole life has been a continual series of hardships in terms of succeeding in a neuro typical sense. I have been fortunate to have traveled the world but personally I have a lot of difficulty in simple things which other people find easily achievable. I do not have a large income, I am not married nor in a relationship, I find that I am always struggling to understand the world around me and to see things the same way others do and I feel annoyed with myself that I cannot do more for other adults on the Autistic Spectrum. I try hard to ensure that they see hope and that their own difficulties will one day be liberated but the fault does not lay squarely with me. When will society understand Autism and will it ever understand? It took me many years to obtain employment in what I am doing now and the wheels of progress are indeed slow, painfully slow. I have to constant re-invent my ways of thinking and realising that the conventional way and comparing myself to regular people is just not really worth it. It took me years to realise and to grasp this reality and I am coming to terms with who I am as a person. I fall down a lot, make mistakes, upset people, and unintentionally break conventions. I have to survive as best I can, and this is all I can do. I consider myself successful if I want to use that word in my own unconventional life and have recently tried to place myself into Wikpedia with my post due from Wikipedia for deletion. Perhaps long after I am dead will the realities of Autism become better known and it may take several generations, but if nobody really understands me then all I can do is be an advocate. I hope that this article can provide you with a better insight into my situation for if nobody can really understand me, then it is the intention of my blog to express those areas of difficulty to help enlighten people.

The future of Libraries and digitisation

As technology moves forward at a faster and a mouse click pace, so to does the need for a Library or Libraries to catch up. The digital library is fast becoming something of a reality and the cases for digitalisation of material is one that needs careful and strong support. Rather than the demand on certain books or materials reaching a huge demand and often an under-supply in terms of availability there seems to be many advantages for a digital library. I will outline these below 1. Books are more accessible on a demand and world wide scale. 2. Materials are better stored and preserved drastically cutting down on issues with shelf life. 3. A person from anyone in the world can have access to a book or information source without leaving their homes or for a Library item being lost or damaged in transit. I think there are many more reasons to the advantage of digitalisation and as you probably can imagine such an approach would seriously impact on the print and publishing media. Now for adults with Autism. The process of digitalisation is one that will be an ongoing scenario and encoding, preserving, storing and providing availability of information is something that is going to need careful scrutiny and meticulous dedication. One of the benefits of adults on the Autistic Spectrum is their attention to detail and mind set for errors. Many adults including myself have a background in higher education but we are simply unable to put this to good use. For example an adult with a background in Politics, Psychology, Physics etc could harness what they have learned to the digital library as information relating to their particular field of interest can be touched upon in the encoding of information, storage of data and in it's accessibility to the public. What would be required is for a training of adults with Autism to know the procedures of the job at hand and once trained they would ensure and continue to be involved in digitizing media and library information for high quality output. I believe that with proper training and a conducive work environment with adults having little supervision and distractions that such work could be of the highest quality and best productive outcome. Aspies can tolerate repetitive work so long as it is challenging and furthermore that it focuses firmly on the utilization of their skills and attributes. As things evolve, I could and other adults who are interested would play an active role in ensuring that a work environment is AS friendly and conducive. As this is just an idea, it can't really be thoroughly explained in this post but adults with Autism could suggest and advise on suitable working conditions to encourage maximum result. Perhaps something to think about for the future of libraries as the age of digitisation fast approaches? How a work environment could be conducive for adults on the Autistic Spectrum? Do away firstly with Neurotypical and conventional employment structure. Have adults with high functioning Autism be advisors within a work environment and they could liase with company to work with other adults with Autism in a conducive work environment. Adults work on a performance based day where they would be paid for the length of time they are able to work. There are other suggestions and ideas which would need a round table discussion but with a supportive work environment, productivity and self esteem would greatly increase as well as a a productive outcome as a result. Some ideas worth consideration 1. Productivity hours where a person's performance can be utilised and understood 2. Reducing exposure to sensory issue problems such as fluro lights, sounds of air conditioners, annoying obstacles and having to work in teams and sensory issue problems 3. Easy accessibility to company so that it can be reached by train, bus and have adequate car parking etc. 4. Working hours staggered to avoid issues with traffic and congestion 5. Adults work on their own and know what is expected of them without the need of supervisors or managers. 6. Have time out rooms or allowance of space without pay so adults who may need a bit of time out are able to do so to help with performance. 7. Comfortable work clothing or uniform if required. 8. Encouragement of incentive and good performance with teaching new skill or duty. 9. Friendly and supportive contacts should there be issues with anxiety or personality etc 10. Marketing of company so that public obtain a positive outlook on Autism and the good work being carried. out Above are only some suggestions which of course need more consideration.

The difficulties associated with accommodation

In 1992, I was to for the first time leave my parent's home to live in Armidale, NSW to attend the University of New England in 1993. Having left Brisbane for the first time, the trip to Armidale was like a new adventure for me. Although I had visited Armidale earlier in my life, moving to Armidale as an adult was a different story. I went down with my parents but needed to find at that stage a University College to live in. My original choice was a college for rich grazier's sons and daughters to attend with a strong following in Rugby Union. However, for me, I was more interested in being comfortable and not so much conformity. After a careful decision, my parents chose a college which was supposedly more in line with the status quo. I was introduced into the college by two senior college students who were advanced in their degrees. For me, I was called a Fresher which was a term coined from Oxford donating a "Freshman" a first year undergraduate student. My life at college was not very pleasant and I struggled to fit in with the other students. Despite being a couple of years older than they were, I just found myself socially isolated and not fitting in. On top of this I was not cutting the mustard in terms of academic performance. Over the year my inability to grasp the academic environment caused me to confront exclusion from the university after having to show cause and having exclusion reduced from 3 years to 1 year. On top of this, I confronted an inability to fit in and live with other people. As I wanted space I was unable to find it as the rent is too costly for a person to live on their own. Upon readmission to UNE in 1996, I began the process of musical houses in Armidale. I would go to one place and just settle in and then be asked to leave because I didn't fit in and conform to expectations. What was worse was the house I lived in with the deranged husband of this Armidale lady and her son. Her husband used to poison the son's thoughts and the husband had a restraining order against him but would work around getting to her house. It was freaky and apparently he was stalking her to the point of falling through the ceiling which is how I think she came to realise that he was not a well balanced man. This house I stayed in and was glad to leave. I then stayed with an elderly lady who was from England and her two dogs and one cat. She didn't understand my situation and whenever I tried to get out socially and couldn't find the place I needed to go to, she would almost admonish me for being careless. I was here for half a year and then house hopped again to another house finding I had to leave their also and it went on and on until I finally got a granny flat with the owners not being around when I tried to pay them the money. People are so weird and I just find living with them difficult. I now live with my parents but house sit when I can. At least in house sitting I can have my own space but I have to be careful not to break dishes and look after animals. I haven't broken any dishes as yet and all animals are looked after accept the cat that temporarily got away and me having to call in a search party to find it. I also lived with three girls who conspired to get rid of me while at university and claimed discrimination because it was 3 girls against one guy. At the moment I live with my parents and unable to afford accommodation. I do my best.

The difficulties in obtaining employment

At the end of 1990 after experiencing my "war service" in the high school system, I needed to realise that I had to find employment. I always thought that when I turned 18 that I would be employed and be living in a house but life didn't seem to work out that way. Perhaps my expectations were too high and I was unrealistic in my outlook. Back in 1990, there existed CES (Commonwealth Employment Service) and DSS (Department of Social Security). As I had just left school, I had to find an income and therefore needed to go on the Dole. The connotation of the world was like back then, that you obviously lived down at Byron Bay and rode a surf board all day. For me, I didn't really want to go on the Dole and furthermore begin the grueling process of looking for a job. Despite continuously going into CES and looking on the job board, and filling in my "Newstart Allowance" as Bob Hawke Prime Minister called it, I would go with one of my parents, usually my mother to CES and look through the job boards and apply for jobs and struggle with getting responses or the option of a job interview. I applied for one job which was a nursery hand in a nursery and the woman was not very clear to me who I rang up when I applied for the job. She said for me to come in at 9am on Monday morning to start work and when I prepared myself to go to the job, and do what I thought I was required to do, she informed me that she had actually hired somebody else and gave me a $20 cheque and sent me home. From then on I began the difficult process of applying for jobs and not getting much luck. At the time my parents thought it would be a good idea for me to enrol in a Lorraine Martin Business Course. This course went for 19 weeks and I learned the basic duties of touch typing, bookkeeping, cheque writing, Attache 4, Word Processing, Switchboard Operating and other office duties. Back then I had an obssession with sports coats and ties, and at the age of 19, I had a wardrobe of sports coats and ties and I wanted especially a blue pocka dot tie and a checkered brown sports coat. I remember seeing a movie with Lee Majors in it and he was wearing a checkered sports jacket and I wanted one as well. I felt like a Junior James Bond in Brisvegas and I felt comfortable wearing sports coats and then pursuing my next obsession which was for a Fedora Hat. I even went to one extreme of wearing a vest so that I could wear a pocket watch and as you can imagine, I felt and looked very "odd" in Brisvegas. In early 1992, I finished the Lorraine Martin Course and was again without employment. It was back to CES and looking for work and picking up odd jobs with one of them being a veterinary assistant at UQ. This was a terrible job, it involved cleaning out cages and doing crap work in the Vet School. I also had a cold and that was no fun either. It was only for a few days so I got through as best I could. I also had a brief stint in Coles, and Bilo and hated every minute of it and was bullied badly. I worked with idiots who thought they were good stuff and I was given poor direction and this as well as annoying customers really gave me severe sensory overload. For instance, I was instructed to lift up a box which obviously was overloaded to begin with, with the contents being spread all over the floor as the person who was supervising had little or no training in Occupational Work and Safety. I put up with working here and furthermore confronted hostility with one Supervisor when I transferred to Coles in Armidale. She told the staff how bad they always were and kept on criticising my inadequacies within the job I was supposed to be doing at Coles. I thought enough is enough as I spent large amounts of time on the Dole. I thought I have to do something rather than rot my brain with not allowing it to be productive so I decided to better my poor academic results to eventually re-enrol in Senior Certificate again. I enrolled in the subjects of Ancient, Modern History, Economics and English. My intention was to look at going to university as I thought at the time I could be some academic like Dr Frank Bryant in Educating Rita. As I worked hard and only passed these subjects, that I was offered a place on the second round of offers at the University of New England in 1994. I enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts in English, Modern and Ancient History and Philosophy. I struggled through the first year and was failing more than I was passing to eventually be excluded from the Faculty of Arts for one year and the requirement of the University of New England to show cause for re-admission. 1995 was spent in limbo trying to better myself so as to be re-admitted in 1996. I was able to do so and finally pass and graduate in 1999 majoring in Politics and Sociology and having a minor in History. In 1999, I joined CRS (Commonwealth Rehabilitation Service) and despite continually hounding them and not wanting to sit around feeling wasted, I was offered a brief internship in the Queensland Parliamentary Library. I worked here in early 1999 and filled in for a lady on Long Service Leave. I worked in audio visual and did some other work experience but sadly when there was no work available, I was unemployed again. I was back on the Dole, back at CES and looking around again for employment. I was offered a traineeship at Qleave in 2001 and despite attending the interview with Employment Consultant I worked in the traineeship for 12 months being moved around from section to section and getting extremely anxious as a result. I was also having issues with performance and at one point feared the contract being broken as I was struggling to cope. I had criticism that I was using Asperger Syndrome as an excuse, the workplace was against me and despite some juggling from the Employment Consultant and him taking the Line of Least Resistance when confronting the employer and me receiving criticism rather than being listened to, I was again without employment and back to square one. I went back to CES, looked on the boards getting nowhere and thought enough is enough I will do volunteer work and was able to get some volunteer work in a council library and some other volunteer work in the Brisbane Grammar School Library. Despite the possibility of a job at the Middle School and working there as a volunteer the work went to someone else and I was without work again and had a break down. I then was having really bad anxiety and nobody understood. I went to the GP and was prescribed an anti depressant and I joined with Comepass Employment with my last minute desperation. I was eventually placed in CODA (Carers of Disabled Adults) and could only and still handle part time work. The work was good here or a while as I worked with 2 ladies but in the end was just getting them cups of coffee in the morning and not really involved in duties. I also was made redundant and I was able to with help work in the Queensland University Library where I am at present. My working life has not been very pleasant and a constant struggle and without being in a continuing appointment, I am sure I would be unemployed again. It is and was just so difficult and I hope things change for other adults on the spectrum and hope that Specialisterne comes to Australia to employ adults as it really is so sad when we have adults who could offer so much and are overlooked in employment.

What Aspies can do!

For Aspies the conventional world can be a very difficult place to find your niche and to fit in but as the spectrum is so broad, we do have our own unique attributes. When working with children on the Autistic Spectrum at Corinda State High School some years back, I encountered children whom at the age of 9 to 13 were literally like adults. They knew about electrical circuit boards, knowledge pertaining to certain subjects and one even conducted his own physics experiment in the family home and I found this truly amazing and interesting. For one boy his keenness was to ensure all the books in the library were in the right place and it was amazing to see these children and what they knew despite their age group. What really concerns me is how the mainstream education makes accommodation for such children as I have heard that Education Queensland doesn't really give a stuff about Autism. It seems that Corinda High School makes accommodations for these children but the mainstream system still sees from what I am aware of the very fact that children with Autism are seen as naughty or have severe behavioural problems. I have heard from parents of Autistic Children who have told me that teachers and other authority figures have questioned their child's behaviour and made comments that these children should be on medication and this has really annoyed me for I received the same comments when in the "war hell" of high school. Who gives these people the right to make such assertions and more importantly why should Autism be made or seen as an obstacle which needs conformity? As an adult with Asperger Syndrome myself, I have always been fascinated by finer detail. I can remember and maintain an interest in information relating to numeracy or figures. For instance working in a library gives you access to statistical information found in the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Did you know for example that according to the Australia Census of 31 December 1962 that the highest make of Motor Cycles was the Vespa recording a statistic of 10 832. Also in 1962 that Holden Cars topped the list at 72 801 with Nissan being 1. Volkswagen recorded 21 273 and if you were the proud owner of a Morris you were in the 25 787 statistic. I also like the old system of money which was Pre Decimal. Australia used the Pound Sterling measurement devised as L - Libra S - Solidus - d - Denarius. For instance the old money measurement looked something like this which in 1966-1967 reflected monetary costs in both Sterling and Dollars. For instance if you bought a suit it probably was priced at 20/- and maybe a tin of fruit at 50d etc. The old money was confusing as 12 pence made a shilling and 20 shillings made a pound and there were other coins thrown in such as Florins, Farthings etc. According to the Printed Publications of the Commonwealth Bureau of Statistics the "Official Bureau of Census and Statistics" in 1964 the "Official Year Book of the Commonwealth" 50 1964 issued in December 1964 cost 20/ 20 Shillings = 1 Pound and overseas it cost 27/8 27 shillings and 8 pence so I guess that was 1 pound and who knows what it was in exact cost which was why the Pre Decimal System was so confusing to understand and how people put up with it for so long you have to wonder. There are many areas where people with AS have strengths and statistical information I guess can be but one area of strength.

The issues of adult unemployment and relationships

Next Friday 24th September 2010, I will be participating in a seminar with Dr Tony Attwood on Asperger Syndrome and employment. You can find out more or attend the seminar by visiting the following link http://www.asperger.asn.au/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=31&Itemid=30 What needs to be clearly understood is that unemployment is a major issue with adults on the Autistic Spectrum and despite the difficulties of finding employment, very few are able to enter secure employment. Employment is a very difficult area it seems for adults for the inability to navigate the social pathways can cause the adult to feel alienated or excluded from their workplace and sadly some adults either leave employment feeling not being able to cope or sadly some have been dismissed due to underlying issues which really stem from a lack of awareness in relation to the situation or to know exactly how to deal with it. I come across adults who simply exist on either Disability Support Pensions, or some other form of pension or unemployment benefit never seeing any real hope for the future. Sadly this situation not only affects them financially but there self esteem also and they can reach the point of simply giving up and existing below a normal quality of life. What then is the solution? From personal experience, one way to deal with the growing numbers of adult unemployment is for the establishment of employment agencies who provide specialised support for adults on the Autistic Spectrum. The employment agencies need to provide support for the interview, settling into the job, training managers and assisting with staff development. This is one possible remedy to the situation but finding a clear and workable solution I firmly believe comes from employers who focus and concentrate on the attributes of adults on the Autistic Spectrum. I have currently expressed an interest with Specialisterne which is an employer of adults on the Autistic Spectrum in Denmark which has now branched to Scotland. Please visit the following link http://www.specialistpeople.com/ It would be good to see this employer go beyond its current locations to also include Australia and New Zealand but only can only hope and I have been in contact with Thorkil Sonne who is the CEO who hopes that Specialisterne will one day reach Australia. What I think needs important and crucial attention is that should a replication of an employer of adults with Asperger Syndrome exist in Austrlia, then I think adults with Asperger Syndrome need to play a crucial role in ensuring and providing guidance of working conditions for the adults on the spectrum concerned. Working conditions, sensory issues, performance issues as well as positive and important attributes of adults with Autism need a clear focus and attention. I would argue that for the prospective employer, that adults with Autism be involved in the layout of the work environment and provide clear and precise requirements to ensure the working conditions are conducive to adults on the spectrum. Currently governments seem to pay very little or no interest in Autism, which in itself is appalling. While the adults with Autism continue to be refused support or their is a lack of awareness, there are children with Asperger Syndrome who are still confronting neglect within the education system. I have been informed that Education Queensland for instance has no real understanding nor crucial support for children on the Autistic Spectrum with no real support within the pipeline. In November, I will be speaking with Dr Kate Sofronoff from the University of Queensland Department of Psychology about the transition from school to the workplace and should anyone be interested in this seminar which is being held on Friday 5th November 2010 for the Queensland Autism Symposium, please stay tuned to this blog for further information. For adults, convention or neuro typical employment seems to create constant difficulties and challenges. Not understanding the social process causes a sense of alienation and furthermore adults tend to have some minor challenges in terms of performance issues and not being able to deal with stress and change. While there are a lot of positives such as focus to detail, reliability, punctuality, a mindset for errors, the work environment needs a clear understanding of the person with Autism so as to understand the strengths as weaknesses. Today I will be meeting with the Line Manager I work under to discuss my annual Recognition and Development. This is a process which indicates the achievements I have undertaken over the last year and furthermore what other contributions I have made in terms of being an employee at the University of Queensland. I am fortunate that I have support within the work environment but I still battle with sensory issues and workplace politics which I find a constant annoyance. Over time I will talk more about workplace issues with one other issue being traffic and congestion problems. One problem for some adults is having to deal with traffic and congestion while on their way to work which can further rather stress and anxiety levels. A simple solution may be to come to work earlier or perhaps find a way to perhaps stagger staring and finishing times to overcome the issues of traffic. Once again something to be talked more about as I update my blog within the future. Another issue for adults on the Autistic Spectrum are relationships. A lot of adults with Asperger Syndrome find it difficult within the dating process because their inability to understand the rules of having to sell themselves on a date or overcome the common hurdles can itself be a problem. I find personally that the dating process is soul destroying and heart breaking. Dr Tony Attwood in one of his seminars explained how adults with Autism avoided confronting people or going on dates as their emotions are too high and they find dealing with emotion too difficult. Perhaps like there is a need for an employer for adults with Autism, so there is also a need for dating agencies for adults on the spectrum. The dating agency could provide clear and precise information about the merits of a person dating an Aspie such as we are honest, loyal and have very little in the way of a bagggage whiteboard.

Executive and Decision Function and the Medical Fraternity

Often Executive Function and self management can be difficult for adults on the Autistic Spectrum. The difficulty I find is how to manage my lifestyle and more importantly understand the social and day to day requirements of functioning as an adult. Sometimes there arises the issues of over contacting or borderline harassment or committing some kind of breach when you may be unaware of the convention which is in place. For instance there have been some issues with me emailing people and knowing when to carbon copy someone into an email or the use of blind carbon copying which allows a third party to see an email without their knowledge or consent. I find the use of blind carbon copying confusing because I would suspect that the great majority of people actually blind carbon copy emails and you are unaware if your email has included a third person or party to the email which is being sent to you. I am not sure if there is such a thing as email etiquette or a plausible use for blind carbon copying in emails but it seems there is no black and white explanation to clearly define its use in email sending and receiving. I find email use very unclear as I have had people having issues with me carbon copying another person into an email which includes both their interest in relation to the topic and the complainant saying I used their email without their consent and that they like their email to be private but I am confused as t their email was sent within a group email context so who is really answerable and to blame? I find the gray areas in life very confusing and more importantly I find it hard to have to think, act and make decisions when I really don't have anybody to advise me. Being an adult and spending a great deal of my time in social isolation, I find it very difficult to make decisions and not have any guidance to ensure that the action I am taking is the correct course of action. Think about it when you are not in a relationship and you don't have a network of friends or support, often you have to think over and over about whether or not the course of action you follow is correct and trying to problem solve in your head and execute a decision can be very tough. I have become exposed to what I call borderline issues or harassment. Non Autistic People follow a certain code of conduct when you contact them and if you stray outside of this not knowing the social boundaries or the conventions it can get you into hot water or into difficult situations. The violation of personal space can be a serious infringement upon someone's boundaries and they can find it to be a form of harassment. In a perfect world it would be nice if people were upfront and you knew where you stood with them and they could make you aware of their boundaries but usually you encounter a stumbling block either being warned or encountering a complaint about your actions. I find being an adult difficult at times as I don't have someone to advise or counsel me about what I should and should not be doing. When I become stressed my thought process and actions can become clumsy and I might do something not realising the outcome until I have received a complaint or criticism. Sometimes you feel like you are walking on egg shells not knowing which way to step so as to not break them. I find people who are upfront and speak directly can inform you of wrongful actions but very few people actually will take the time or it may not be in their nature to be straight talking and say things as they are and how they should be interpreted. Sometimes it can be very confusing knowing codes of conduct, privacy and confidentially unless it is clearly pointed out and explained to you in the first instance. Some people are literally like hot water as you may encounter them and then they burn you as a result with some complaint which they made about you. I recently contacted a NSW MP Office with a complaint being made about me for reason I do not understand concerning an Autism Issue. I think it would be good if adults on the Autistic Spectrum like myself were able to obtain support from a counselor or case worker to advise and provide guidance in areas and a means of assisting with anxiety and stress management by implementing certain relaxation techniques ie. Meditation, Tai Chi etc. Another issue for adults with Autism is dealing with traffic. In some cases to avoid the frustration and anxiety of dealing with traffic, I have had to venture to work much earlier so as to avoid it. If work places could stagger times or get around the issues of stress and anxiety relating to dealing with traffic and congestion, perhaps this may be one area worth considering? Last night I contacted a friend who is in the Medical Fraternity and I mentioned to him about whether or not the Medical Fraternity understand Autism and whether or not an understanding of Autism is in their training. Apparently Doctors receive very little training in the area of Autism and the little training which they receive is in mental health and the Autistic Spectrum is not really mental health. It is the secondary symptoms of anxiety and depression which can be related as mental health. Is it appalling then that Medical Practitioners receive so little training of Autism and is this the reason why there is such a huge void of ignorance on the subject of Autism? The problem and the clear distinction between Autism and Depression is what I can see is that most adults with AS exhibit a monotone voice and this can be wrongly interpreted as being down or depressed. I think currently training of practitioners may include a diagnostic criteria of diagnosing depression and a quick overview of encountering a patient with Autism may wrongly pick up the monotone voice of indicating depression when the individual with Autism is not depressed as they have interests compared to the person with depression who has no motivation or feels they have no purpose in life i.e. lack of thinking positively about life. If this is the case then are people being wrongly diagnosed with mental illness when in fact they should be treated with proper counseling and intervention which does not involve the use of prescription drugs? From what I can see medicine tends to preclude Autism because the traditional teachings of medicine fail to actually hone in on the underlying causes of Autism. It appears that the medical fraternity need to be more open minded to understanding Autism rather than dismissing it as some kind of cognitive fantasy where it is all in the mind. In the United Kingdom a brain scan is being looked into to actually scan the brain of an individual with Autism and can this brain scan determine and demonstrate that Autism does exist as a reality? If Medical Practitioners are receiving little or no training on Autism and Mental Health Issues then what chance do individuals have on the Autistic Spectrum and those undiagnosed have in obtaining adequate support and effective support and treatment where necessary? I ask you, should a review of medicine occur with inclusion of training of those in the medical fraternity to understand and be aware of Autism related issues? Why is there little or no training and what can be done to rectify the problem? Perhaps something to think about the next time you visit your GP. Ask him or her what they understand about in Autism and ask yourself whether or not you should write to a Medical Board and ask them should a review of medicine occur to incorporate Autism as a reality.

Autism through the generations

Since Lorna Wing open the Hans Asperger Files in 1981 after a long period of neglect, the understanding of Asperger Syndrome is slowly making its way to become known in soceity. It appears that the different generations may have a different understanding of Asperger Syndrome and Autism and some may fail to grasp the actual concept of Asperger Syndrome and how it affects an individual. I am very concerned about the Americans want to re classify Autism and do away with Asperger Syndrome altogether. I think what needs careful consideration and analysis is that the Autistic Spectrum manifests itself in different ways and to have one definition seriously undermines a classification that clearly identifies the difficulties and struggles for individuals affected by Asperger Syndrome. To simply re classify the Autistic Spectrum as being that, then how would an individual affected by Asperger Syndrome have his or her needs met compared to an individual affected by Autism. As I have argued over and over, a distinction needs to be made to an individual with Autistic Traits to compared to an individual who has residual or Asperger Syndrome characteristics. It is ok for a bunch of "Ivory Tower" Medical Professions to think that re-classification is the way to go but isn't doing away with the classification of Asperger Syndrome seriously going to create more difficulty and seriously undermine the support and help required for individuals affected by Asperger Syndrome? Each of the generations seem to have perhaps a different way of dealing with Asperger Syndrome. The older generation may find it harder to grasp, whereas the generation to which I belong seem to perhaps see Autism more in children and being a temporary condition that somehow disappears after childhood and it can never really be fathomed in adulthood. Many of my peers just don't seem to know or understand the Autistic Spectrum. There exists a tribal mentality that if you are different and see things differently that the best course of action is to keep away and not want to know about it. For individuals affected by Autism, especially adults a sense of denial of knowing that they have Autism is probably better than coming to terms with the diagnosis and trying to enlighten the community at large. No matter how hard you try sometimes, people just don't seem to want to bother to try and get it. They simply are unable to open their minds to try to understand and I spend a great deal of my time in social isolation as a result. I am sure that some other adults may experience the same? I really think the main organ of change is the school system. Instead of excluding individuals on the Autistic Spectrum, perhaps schools need to modify the sylabus to be more accepting of individuals on the Autistic Spectrum. Early intervention seems to be one way of making life more bearable for individuals on the Autistic Spectrum and re classifying Autism is seriously going to make things worse in my opinion. Why take away a diagnosis that allows individuals a means of expression? Some individuals have "Classic" Aspie traits and this is their means of expression or rather I say, our means of expression. When looking at Autism, you need to ask yourself, how much do you think you know, do you think that alienating yourself from understanding Autism is the path to follow? How do you think each generation can understand Autism better? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWG2F_LLgDw