Keeping the irons on the fire.

Over the past couple of weeks I have been busy with meetings.  I have discussed ways to be better understood as an adult on the Autism Spectrum and have written some contributions about to be published.  I don't think people actually realise how much time I spend in trying to raise more awareness of Autism and liaising with others.  I have finalised a publication to appear in an Italian Academic research project into education and Autism and approved an edited contribution to appear in a Melbourne magazine.  So I have been kept busy.  I often work around the clock, even writing emails very early in the morning and or responding to messages as soon as I can.

As I am in contact with Ben Wilshire, Chris Lovell and Damian Santomauro.  I have met with all of them and touched based on the good work they are doing within the wider community.  Ben has an interview with CareWest in Orange next Tuesday. He has recently joined with a new Disability Employment Service and received assistance with filling in and completing a Selection Criteria for this position.  Ben has also been in touch with David Citer who has provided Ben and myself information about funding.  Ben is also currently working with Pizza Hut in Orange but having recently completed Life Line Counselling training, Ben now is able to provide support to those who need it in the wider community. He is especially concerned as I am about mental health issues and the need to link people to counselling when they need it.

The Brisbane Asperger Adult Group is going well and Chris Lovell is doing a great job.  Chris is now getting some support from the Autism CRC in a small contribution at the moment.  He is also working with David Zimmerman who is undertaking research into adults on the Autism Spectrum at Griffith University.  I am also in touch with both David and Chris about ways to improve the group and to ask for support in areas of facilitation.  So things are looking positive in this direction.  

The Brisbane Asperger Adult Group meeting

It is important to also mention Damian Santomauro.  I have been meeting with Damian fortnightly at the University of Queensland.  Damian is about to head to Europe for about a month where he will get married and see some sights.  It will be a good experience for Damian but like many Aspies, travel can also have its challenges.  I look forward to meeting with Damian upon his return in August.  The same month as my birthday.  Damian undertook recently a pilot project with the Autism CRC at the University of Queensland for adults on the Autism Spectrum. Being facilitated by and including adults on the Autism Spectrum. This was the first meeting of its kind and I have contacted Professor Sylvia Rodger to see if more meetings, perhaps monthly or a few times a year could be arranged.  For many adults, these meetings like the Brisbane group would provide an opportunity for adults to share our concerns and call for more services to assist us with the challenges and difficulties we confront in our everyday lives.  This is currently being looked into.  

I have now registered with a new disability employment service provider. This is Red Cross and I will be meeting with them shortly.  The new employment consultant is also on the Autism Spectrum so this may help in understanding where I am coming from and to furthermore bridge the gap between myself and the support which I may require.  I am also working with Fiona Anderson who is undertaking research into Disability Employment Service providers known as DES.  The work I undertake on all levels is purely voluntarily and as yet there is no funding.  It would be good to one day employ adults on the Autism Spectrum and provide a task force to stand up for and provide a voice for our rights and need for services.  

Please stay tuned for more updates.

Garry Burge

www.garryburge.com 

The Aspie Employment Strategy

A question may be asked of whether a person on the Autism Spectrum is able to work?  The simple and straight forward answer to this question is yes but there needs to be proper support and awareness.  In this blog post I would try and outline some ways that a person on the Autism Spectrum.

From my own personal experience Aspies can work but the challenges may be to ensure that the proper mechanisms and support are in place.  Firstly supervisory figures need to be aware and furthermore tasks need to be clear and following a routine.  Once this routine is adhered to then the person has something to go by and to follow.  It is also a good idea to run awareness workshops.  It can be difficult for other staff to know just how the Aspie mind works.  If at all possible encourage the employee on the Autism Spectrum to have an input into an awareness session for unlike a psychologist, the person with Autism can provide a first hand experience of the challenges, issues and even innovation for which she or he can apply.  Secondly it is also important where possible to have friendly and supportive staff that can make the workplace both happy and supportive.  As an Aspie a filter can be often difficult to implement with difficult or strong personalities.  Whereas regular people may have a means of filtering out strong personality types, a person on the Autism Spectrum may not know how to deal with these and may sense discomfort.  Ensure that the workplace is both supportive and free of any toxicity and especially bullying.  When the word bullying is implied it may need its own interpretation and explanation from an Aspie perspective.

A person on the Autism Spectrum is able to work but support and awareness required. 

One of the main issues as an adult is that society doesn't really seem to fully grasp Autism in adults.  I was talking to one person on the Autism Spectrum recently who described people who fail and treat persons with Autism badly as haters.  This person coined the term "haters are makers".  I have found in my own life that just for being me and who I am, that I have sensed that I am hated.  Not fully understood and treated not so pleasantly by regular people.  I can remember one older man who I think may have had Asperger Syndrome telling me in his own words "the problem you have is that people don't understand you but the problem I have is that people don't like me".  This man lived in Armidale and unfortunately in a fraternity he experienced a faction against him which was not at all pleasant.  I found the cowards tried to use me as the meat in the sandwich to get back at him.  

For adults on the Autism Spectrum, employment consultants have to be approachable and not use heavy phrases such as 'now just listen!' as one example.  The employment consultant should be able to assist the person find their way around in employment and if possible external support to help prevent social isolation.  Also a union representative who stands up for disability rights in a workplace is also important.  Of late I have been getting some good support from a union and have informed them that people on the Autism Spectrum need certain rights and support within employment.  These include a right to a safe workplace, preventative measures against possible bullying and support with other crucial areas.  

For me I find support in employment but what I find is that externally there is very little support. I have tried relentlessly to see if I can find someone on Internet Dating.  As I have mentioned previously, I have been using RSVP which is a dating website.  I have met a few women on here but I try not to be too hard on myself.  I also have been experiencing some stress with a lot of people perceiving me as a brain damaged freak and have had mental health issues.  It was so bad on Sunday that I had no one to turn to and again contacted Lifeline Counselling.  The person I spoke to on here provided me with some useful strategies and asked me even if I was contemplating suicide and whether or not I even had a plan!  I just said that at times I just need to talk to someone.  Often there is nobody around when you need help and it is just so isolating.  For me having employment provides me with structure and support but I still want friends too.  I wish at times that it would be possible just to simply ask someone if they could be your friend.  

The Asperger Adult Group is a bit challenging too as one of the adults in the group I feel just hates my guts and I really don't know what to do.  I just try and deflect it and realise that this person may have their own issues.  This is why really there needs to be more support and services for adults.  We currently just need people to assist us as best as possible.  

I know I have strayed away from the topic but quite simply across the world and especially here in Australia,  more employers and businesses need to understand the Autism Spectrum.  All it takes is to raise more awareness and to focus on the positives.  What can the person do and how much input can they provide to your company or business?  All it takes is just some tolerance, awareness and understanding. Is the person good with computers or can the special interest be harnessed to provide valuable information to your company?  All it takes is just some time.  

I am currently trying to join with Red Cross Employment because the Employment Consultant has HFA (High Functioning Autism).  I am hoping that this will happen soon.  I also would like to speak of my experiences and ways for others to better try and understand how I see things from my perspective.  I would really ask anyone who may read this post to please post comments and or questions so that I can provide you with useful awareness and answers so that you can see how to employ a person with Autism.  There aren't simple and straight forward answers but I can try my best in the meantime to try and assist with better awareness to help pave the way for more success in the future.  Who better than to inform a workplace about being Autistic than the person with Autism themselves?

BBQ to Roma Street Parklands, Brisbane

Yesterday the Brisbane Aspie Adult Innovator Social Group hosted an event in the Roma Street Parklands here in Brisbane.  Chris Lovell who is the group facilitator did an excellent job in hosting and running the event.  As I got to the Roma Street Parklands, I observed Chris as he made his way up the path with plenty of supplies and determination to see the group meeting to go ahead. As we don't receive any funding and are totally a volunteer social group, Chris was generous in purchasing most of the supplies with me bringing a long some ginger beer.  Chris had contacted the Roma Street Parklands Security earlier and they were able to assist with finding a BBQ and ensuring that the BBQ was clean prior to us using it. 


We roughly had just over 20 adults turn up yesterday which in itself was a good turn up.  We welcome Fiona Anderson who is assisting with raising awareness of adults to government and Kate Van Dooren who is soon to be involved with the Autism CRC.  It was good to have them a long as well as Fiona undertaking some videos on how DES (Disability Employment Service) needs to cater for adults better in relation to job placement and recruitment. 


The event was underway while there was a 21 gun salute in the park and this meant that some loud noises could be heard which for many was distressing.  However everyone managed as best they could.  The group also needs funding but hopefully in the future it will receive some assistance from members and supporters so that expenses such as food for BBQ's and outings can be managed more so than come out of an individual's pocket. Especially if the person is unemployed and on a low income. 


There are many challenges and issues that concern adults on the Autism Spectrum and my objective is not to make the world Aspie but more so better improve services and support for adults.  As an older adult, I find the lack of awareness and support something which I think needs changing.  There is no support for accommodation, social isolation and mental illness. Furthermore, I still encounter some adults who are receiving bullying or have been sacked from employment simply for disclosing their Autism diagnosis or false accusations made against them which sadly touch upon discrimination.  Something needs to be done! 




Matthew, Chris Lovell (Group Facilitator) and myself at BBQ

Our next meeting will be at the University of Queensland Department of Music.  Here one of the group members will be playing the piano and sharing his special interest in music.  The event will be on Saturday 28th June 2014.  We also will be  hosting Maja Toudall from Denmark on Saturday 5th July 2014 so for further enquiries please don't hesitate to firstly visit and Like my Facebook Page or to contact me via my website


Thank you very much for visiting and we hope to hear from you very soon.


Kind and warm regards


Garry Burge




Adult Strategy Update

In my previous blog posts I mentioned the progress being made with adults.  I am happy to report that I have met with Kate Van Dooren from the Autism CRC Kate is happy to assist with the Brisbane Aspie Adult Innovator Group and to work with Chris Lovell and Blake Connolly the group facilitators.  Kate will be attending the adult group BBQ this Saturday at Roma Street Parklands.

Autism CRC for adults (photo courtesy of Autism CRC website)

Currently Queensland has not come on board with an adult group for the Autism CRC although Damian Santomauro has started the first pilot group meeting. This group met on Friday 30th May 2014 at the University of Queensland.  In attendance were roughly 20 adults and with more adults contacting the group, participation is beginning to grow.  We are also obtaining more enquiries concerning the Brisbane group which meets at the Brisbane Central Library in Brisbane City.  It is good to see more adults coming on board.

Last night Saturday night I contacted Chris Mitchell.  I have known Chris since my diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome in 1998.  I have visited a few times in the UK and Chris works for Autism Works an employer of adults on the Autism Spectrum.  Chris is also involved in advocacy work in the north of England.  I try to keep in touch with Chris via skype wherever possible.  I am also in touch with Ben Wilshire who is based in Orange in rural Australia.  Ben has just commenced a job for Pizza Hut (full time) in Orange and we hope that Ben can still provide a voice for adults living in rural areas.  

My time is currently spent while working in raising awareness of Autism in adults.  This Friday I will be meeting with Fiona Johnson from Autism Queensland  I will be discussing with Fiona ways that the Disability Employment Service can better cater for adults on the Autism Spectrum and hopefully ways employers can look at the advantages of taking on adults in employment.  There are many benefits which I have previously outlined which include a strong attention to detail and commitment to providing high quality service.  

The adult strategy is in its very early stages and both the Autism CRC and adult group are encouraging adults to come on board with raising awareness.  It is hoped that in time more involvement will further increase awareness and educating the wider community more about adults and the challenges and issues confronting adults.  In time we hope to provide more updates and awareness.   In the meantime Kate Van Dooren is happy to assist the adult group and we hope that more opportunity will occur for the Autism adult community.  

I am currently submitting article for magazines and liaising with adults abroad.  My communication involves trying to harness the energies and abilities of adults on a wider scale in the hope that more positive messages and awareness will occur.  We really need to leave no stone upturned.  

Please stay tuned for more updates. 

Regards

Garry Burge

www.garryburge.com