It is often difficult to know whether or how much you should disclose or allow Autism to define you as a person. Sometimes people may not always know how to relate to you if you tell them you have Autism and their treatment of you can sometimes be a bit awkward. I feel as though I am not a cripple nor am I stupid but some people can talk to me and reinforce things they say which can make me feel a bit stupid.
I think it is important to know a person is on the Autism Spectrum but special treatment is not what a person with Autism really wants. More so it is just some understanding and more importantly just some acceptance in areas of difficulty. In my own situation I entered my current employment with disclosure of Asperger Syndrome and I had a phone interview on Monday for a Bibliographic Software Support Officer. Before this interview I mentioned to the prospective employer that I had Asperger Syndrome and I was diagnosed by Dr Tony Attwood and that I also have and maintain my own website. So things are moving ahead.
I think it is awesome that UQ Asperger Adults is growing as a group and things are starting to take off. Adults now have somewhere we can go and talk about our special interests. If regular people could only attend and listen, you could learn so much and see our eccentricity in action. I have known of one Aspie who is skydiving and another who is soon to make the plunge from the heavens above. Things in Brisbane, especially UQ seem to be changing. The group is welcoming more adults and I am soon to welcome some new adults to Brisbane itself. One adult is moving to Brisbane from earthquake stricken Christchurch, New Zealand and another has contacted me through Dr Tony Attwood's website regarding an adult support group.
I have been approached to help out in Tasmania. I have been in correspondence with Dr Tony Attwood concerning any work I can help out with and updates on my meeting with Tony and his writing the Foreword to my book "I Want To Work - An Asperger Story". It would be great to have Dr Attwood attend the UQ Asperger Adult Group and he has promised at some future stage that he would.
It is often hard for people to understand Asperger Syndrome and see it in a person affected by it. All that is required is patience and understanding. I am starting to write my second book "Crikey I'm Eccentric" but for now I have to focus mainly on the publication of my first book. This Saturday I will be attending an Author's conference. I will also be on TV in the UK so there are a lot of things happening. Please stay tuned.
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