Expression of Interest sort

An email I sent to local University Department

Dear Psychology Department

I am seeking an Expression of Interest for a student or two students undertaking psychology in the area of the Autism Spectrum to assist with an adult group I run. The group is a non clinical group but one which could greatly assist and enlighten how Autism is endemic within adults. I am also am adult on the Autism Spectrum and have a website www.garryburge.com and was diagnosed by Dr Tony Attwood in 1998.

The student or students would need to possess the following and the position I am seeking is purely voluntary.  Please find below what would be involved for the person should they wish to apply.

1. A willingness to understand adults on the Autism Spectrum and to offer support and encouragement where necessary.

2. A means of  providing social skills that can help bridge the gap between those on the Autism Spectrum and those who are neuro typical.

3. Support with relationship advice and friendship skills

4. Assistance with running events and providing encouragement to adults on the Autism Spectrum to help with low self esteem and confidence building

5. Help with coping strategies and accessing services and or lobbying to governments and departments for support for adults.

6. One to one support where necessary to help Autistic Adult.

This email has been carbon copied to Professor Tony Attwood and for his information as well as he knows of me and the work I do. I also request that two applicants both male and female be sort between the ages of 21 to 45 years age. Preferably early to mid 20's and other applicant mid 30's. The idea is to have young people as this is the demographic attended to understand. Furthermore the applicants will need to act as mentors to adults and future adults. Responsible persons are sort with a mature outlook and sensitive of the needs of the Autistic persons such as friendships, relationships and boundaries etc.  The group meets on 2 Saturdays per month and it is understood that the applicants may not always be able to attend. The applicants must posses a friendly and warm nature also with a willingness to assist with the delegation and involvement in board games. Also the Department of Psychology may wish to rotate or change applicants in the course of their studies but again I emphasise the group is social and not to be treated clinically.

For further information please respond by email for more information.

Sent from my iPad
Garry Burge

Spring Post

Now that Spring has finally arrived, I thought I would write a post regarding updates.  Things have been painfully slow of late but there has been some good news.  Firstly, my contribution to a new book a long with other Aspie Authors, will be published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers.  Having my name acknowledged by Jessica Kingsley Publishers may pave the way for me to write another book at some future stage. I am just not sure what to write about as yet.  Being an adult on the Autism Spectrum still confronts many challenges.  Making friends is still difficult and seeking a relationship even harder, although I am not entirely sure whether I can handle or want one?

I have needed to step back from advocating on a larger scale. Mainly this has been due to the fact that the burn out is more likely.  Although I am still running the adult group here in Brisbane, and Dr Tony Attwood will be visiting the group in November, my ideas are not always understandable within a conventional sense.  It would be good to have some non Aspie Adults help bridge the gaps.  It is not easy to know exactly how such gaps can be filled but letting things evolve in the group seems the only way.

I am now riding a bicycle regularly to keep fit and I have taken an interest in my former hobby of growing orchids again.  Apart from this, I may try and learn how to play the organ considering I know how to read music basically. So the way forward is not entirely have an absence of things to do.

Next year I am not sure about in terms of going abroad.  Norway and Sweden do sound tempting but the energy required for navigating the airport terminals, the herds in customs and the long haul plane flights will need some careful consideration.  Things to look into.

What would be ideal is that with a change of government would be a new look in terms of understanding disability and the Autism Spectrum.  I have some adults who would like to work, especially in a library. All I can do is try and train them through my own experience. To encourage them to learn about the classification systems and more importantly offer their services as volunteers to their local libraries.  Apart from this, an incentive for employers to take on persons with a disability and the Autism Spectrum would be ideal as well as obtaining proper support from Disability Employment Agencies and Employment Consultants.  Hopefully things will change over time?

To conclude this short entry.  It would be good to live in a world where there is a better understanding of the Autism Spectrum but more information and awareness are required to bring about change.  So all that can be done for the moment is trying to keep fingers crossed and see if things improve and become better!