Being the Square Peg In the Round Hole

At times I really don't feel like I fit into the world around me.  I feel largely socially isolated and my ways of functioning not really fully understood.  People also seem largely confusing and what they say doesn't seem to connect with what they actually mean.

People don't realise that to get to where I am today took a lot of work.  I was written off and told I wouldn't get far in life.  Furthermore, I have been told that I need to try harder and that I either write myself off or put myself down.  The truth of the matter is that I know my strengths and weaknesses.  I also believe that I largely do not have Asperger Syndrome but more so Autism.  For me making a social effort or entering social situations is very overwhelming and exhausting.  Added to this I feel that relationships with the opposite sex are just beyond me.  Sadly society doesn't understand how I think and function and over the years some so called friends have just dropped me not understanding how I function as a person.  What I don't understand is that I don't see myself as a damaged or broken individual.  I see myself as needing to change some of my ways of thinking so I can better adjust to anxiety and stress but I don't believe that I need to change to be accepted by people.

To begin with I try to function in a world that I know is going to be very difficult to change.  Furthermore the structures and infrastructure around me is not always accommodating.  Loud hand driers in amenities, cities that are physically hard to navigate and lights and sounds that can be overwhelming represent real challenges.  I also feel that I am forced to spend money that often provide poor services such as Internet Providers and even taxation that does not go into disability, for even if it does it seems to go to people who really never really ask me what ways my quality of life could be improved.

I really wonder at times if I am changing the world.  There are still many challenges and hurdles a long the way.  Mental Health is still largely ignored and social isolation is an everyday reality.  I see myself as largely an outsider observing rather than participating.  I get frustrated with the way mental health is not better managed with people on the receiving end being doled out medication more so than therapy and discussion.  Quite simply I believe that some medications do more harm than good and I can speak from personal experiences.

I also feel largely conformed into ways of thinking and function that are not me and I live in a society where men are supposed to be blokey and guys simply don't talk to one another. I even wonder if a National Service could change this to encourage leadership and a better means of bonding?  Trying to be myself is a challenge because I cannot stand pretending to be someone I am not.

These are my thoughts for today despite the challenges I face.  Maybe others can relate to what I am writing about in this blog?

It's Not A Broken Toy Factory It is A New Wave of Enlightenment

It really concerns me when I hear of stories of parents who join Autism organisations because they are afraid of accepting the diagnosis of Autism in the child.  What is even more distressing are the measures to try and cure or prevent Autism from within the person.  Why are such drastic and unrealistic expectations occurring?


I believe that early awareness is needed of Autism and what better means of this being assisted than allowing adults on the Autism Spectrum to become mentors.  Advisors to the young person with Autism and shared of experiences and strategies on how to function better in the world?  Sadly I don't see much of this happening.  There are many adults within the community, including myself who do Autism Advocacy work. Sadly though we are not being allowed into the spotlight for lacking so called experience and or qualifications.  If future generations of persons with Autism need support then why not allow adults with Autism to become mentors? 


For a long time I have fought long and hard to allow adults with Autism our rightful place in society.  A means where we are not seen as broken individuals needing to be fixed but rather acceptance and a means of embrace.  There are still many barriers however and brick walls in the way and these need to be taken down.  It is not easy but with much optimism it is possible. 


Today I met with a new adult who is assisting the group with advocacy work.  He has some good ideas and suggestions and is around the same age as myself.  I will be working with him and other adults including Ben Wilshire to further raise awareness. 


In the meantime I ask you to continue to like my Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/GARRYBURGE.AS and to contact me via Facebook


Regards


Garry Burge

Coping as an Alien

If you can remember the TV series Mork and Mindy, you may remember how Mork lived his life as an observer.  He spoke regularly to his superior Orson about how to understand the human race.  For me I constantly struggle with it everyday.  I find that I am largely either unknown or misunderstood.  For instance I offend people just for speaking my mind and seem to cause annoyance in wanting things done and done properly.

When I left the school system which I found was largely frustrating and within a stressful environment, I came out with a poor academic transcript.  When I later tried to go to university, I was told by an Occupational Therapist that I would simply be wasting my time.  Despite me proving him wrong and many critics, I was successfully able to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of New England in 1999.  I undertook university because I wanted to show that no matter where I was in life that I no longer had a failed school certificate against my name.  It also would try and provide me with some hope that in future employment that I could find something and not be destined for the scrap heap or be thrown or forced into a toxic and harsh work setting.

The challenges I have today is that people don't really see the silent struggles.  One of my elderly parents whom I live with is going through some challenges at the moment and despite being seen as lacking empathy, I try my best to provide support and assistance wherever possible.  It really hurts me deeply when a person says I lack empathy because I do not. I am a very giving person or try to be but often I am overlooked or confront continual social isolation.  I always strive for understanding and in wanting to have friends but for me the way my wiring and thinking occur, people do not always understand where I am coming from.

In Australia I  notice that so many people who really should be given the lime light never reach it.  Instead within the higher echelons of society there tends to be a focus on sporting identities and on people who have achieved success through often unsavory means.  I have never really felt that I exist in Australian society because I am not into drinking or playing sport.  For me I prefer to be around people who have open minds and who are intellectually curious.  I am not sure exactly where such people exist?

I like to see things done properly and like to ensure that as a person I try my best to deliver a high quality standard of work and professionalism.  Sadly I seem to offend people just for being myself in a society which seems largely mediocre.  I am told I am negative but for me speaking my mind is the only way I can communicate.  It is hard to know right from wrong in some certain social situations and I find myself sometimes confused and having to rely on my intelligence to problem solve.  My training at university allowed me a mind that constantly thinks and questions but sadly sometimes I feel like a bulldozer hitting an iron wall!  There is just no way beyond it.  What do I need to do and what way can I get around it?

Ben Wilshire is doing a lot of good work and assisting Ben to become a leading Autism Advocate in Australia is working well.  I also will be travelling with Ben to New Zealand in August and hopefully thereafter to Europe if all goes well.  It would be good to have a friend to go with.

I am at the moment coming to terms with a lot and I cannot get counselling at UQ Psych Clinic until April.  Still getting ongoing counselling is impossible and I hope that things change in the future.  I always try my best to create and lead change but often it doesn't come soon enough.  I also contact Chris Mitchell every Saturday night in the United Kingdom via Skype and in my spare time I run the adult group and network.  Just for now it is a matter of trying to do my best and try to not walk on egg shells to offend people or get them offside.  I just wish changes did not occur to the DSMV changing Asperger Syndrome as a diagnosis because to me it is an identity.

More updates soon when I can think of more to write.  

  

2015 and onwards

2015 has now well and truly started.  I really hope that 2015 will be even better than last year.  Over the past 18 months I have been working with other adults to ensure that the group continues to grow and that important work is carried out.  The group now has a regular attendance of approximately 13 adults which is good to see.

Our next meeting will be a brain storming session.  It is at this meeting that the group will plan events for the coming months.  As well as met the Lord Mayor of Brisbane in April, the group has a lot to look forward too.  We are always welcoming new members and furthermore looking at ways to reach out more to the wider community.  The work is constant but preparation and perseverance go a long way to try and ensure that this happens.

I am continuing to work with Ben Wilshire and Ben is in contact with Autism organisations both in Australian and abroad.  We have also looked at and spoken to the National Autistic Society in the United Kingdom to see if we can also network with them.  We have received some emails of correspondence which has been helpful.  However connecting and working with them from Australia is something that has not yet been looked into and hopefully in due course something may change on this front?

There are two important conferences happening in Brisbane this  year.  The first one being hosted by Asperger Services Australia and the other the APAC conference towards the end of the year. Ben Wilshire will be attending both and this should be a good opportunity for Ben to do some public speaking and to represent the work he is doing as well as CareWest in Orange in his position as an Ability Linker.

In my own Autism Advocacy work, I will continue to try my best to run the group. We have Dr Tony Attwood visiting the group in November and furthermore we hope to see more adults working in the group to ensure that momentum and progress continues.  The group is about building adults up and encouraging self esteem and confidence.  Introductory events are a way of ensuring that new members get a chance to introduce themselves and overcome the barriers of social isolation and even depression.  There are some really awesome adults in the group and in each other's company, the foundation stones are already being laid for a more optimistic and supportive future.

In the meantime it is just a matter of continuing forward and trying to ensure that support and friendships continue to grow.  We welcome new adults not only from Brisbane but from within Australia, New Zealand and overseas.  Wherever one goes or connects with, our support base is expanding.

Please feel free to contact me via www.garryburge.com  or connect with us via Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GARRYBURGE.AS to ensure we hear from you.

Yours faithfully

Garry Burge

www.garryburge.com 

Merry Christmas & Seasons Greetings 2015

This year has been a busy year.  The work of Ben Wilshire of Carewest has been very important and not to mention Chris Lovell and Blake Connolly in the Brisbane Aspie Adult Group.  We have seen the group continue and furthermore welcome guest speaks including Maja Toudal and Professor Tony Attwood.  We have also had some other interesting speakers attend the group to speak about social activities as well as ways of improving better physical and mental health.

For me I have continued to the best of my ability the work which I am doing.  I also have received some good results in terms of growing upon my own foundations and requirements in terms of learning.  It will be good to see these accommodations implemented within due course.

As I get older I note the need for improved services not only for myself but for other adults.  We need to see vast improvements in terms of dealing with mental health, independent living, employment and on raising more awareness.  I am confident in saying that we have made much progress in these areas but more work needs to happen.  There still sadly are attitudes that having Autism is something that people think I am making up as an excuse in order to avoid certain responsibilities.  I can assure you that this is not the case. Why would I almost in my mid 40's be making things up when really I want things to get better?  I really need to find ways of raising more awareness which is constructive so that I can really change more attitudes and break down barriers.

Like all Australians and people world wide, I was deeply saddened by the events in Sydney.  I think of the two innocent lives that were lost and the others that have been traumatized by what happened on Australian soil.  I only hope that peace will continue to remain in our world. I also am coming to terms with someone close to me that is going through some personal struggles of her own.  It is hard to come to terms with old age and especially seeing changes and wondering what is actually happening?  I have to look after myself as I know nobody else will when my own structures may soon disappear.  I know that despite all nastiness that there are good people and that they will continue to support me as much as possible.  Despite my vehicle being scratched by another motorist who didn't even pay the courtesy of leaving a note with contact details, I have to again be strong and not let anyone get to me.  There are good people who are assisting me and I thank them for their support. I really and sincerely hope that next year will be a better year.  I know that in my own time there is only so much that I can physically and socially change. I hope that my own legacy will now and into the future assist future generations.  Autism is not something to eradicate but more so understand.  People with Autism are not damaged nor defective. I know of many adults who live with the condition like myself who want inclusion and a chance to also become equals in the wider world.  Many still have challenges and difficulties ahead of them.

I pray that next year will be even better and I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year for 2015 who reads this post.  I also ask you to please support and continue to like my page Facebook Page

Seasons Greetings

Garry Burge

Founder of www.garryburge.com 

Recharging my thoughts over G20 weekend.

Lennox Head Beach, NSW, Australia 

On both Friday and Saturday nights, I managed to get away from the stresses of Brisbane and escape to the Ballina for the long weekend.  It was good to get to the beach, do some cooking, bike riding, and walking.  Despite having a few panic attacks on the way down while driving, I managed to control the anxiety with some deep breathing exercises.  Also the fold up bike had a few issues with the handle bars becoming lose which I managed to get fixed.  I also met up with Stefanie Evans the Director of Asperger Services Australia for coffee and both Stefanie and myself spoke with Ben Wilshire about progress and what still needs to happen concerning Autism.

Yesterday I received an email from "The Lab" concerning their opening up on the Gold Coast.  I am interested in helping out even if it means I have to drive from Brisbane to Varsity Lakes a few Saturdays a month. I may even decide to catch the train down so that I can lend my services as best as possible to help this initiative get off the ground.  I will wait until early next year to find out whether or not my services may be required.  Hopefully I can assist in making progress?

I have to be honest in that I have been feeling worn down and deflated of late. Getting assistance from anyone has proven difficult and I just feel like I am the captain of my own ship at the moment.  I am getting counselling at UQ Psychology Clinic which is helping me on some strategies. I prefer to find techniques more so than using medication.  I believe that therapy is far more effective rather than relying on doctors and specialists who I don't fully trust when it comes to medication and health matters.  Just finding a doctor who understands Autism is a real challenge.  

In relation to conference speaking, I feel my place is more in doing work in the background.  I would rather go at my own pace in finding ways to help raise awareness of Autism in adults.  I would also like to up skill my abilities but may look at courses I can do in my own time should I want to expand on my own credentials.  Perhaps I could even write another book sometime in the future?  This wouldn't happen though at the moment as I feel burnt out.  I am encouraging other adults to take on an advocacy role. Ben Wilshire is doing a lot of work in trying to create a trust and or charity.  I am helping Ben with advice where I can.  

In the meantime, I would like to take the opportunity of saying that I wish the G20 had some focus on disability.  We can only hope that should the targets and objectives be met that in time, it may offer practical ways of allowing disability participation within employment?  We can only hope?

The Cutting Down of Tall Poppies

For any economy to succeed there needs to be a management of finances.  This in my opinion requires a fiscal responsibility in insuring debt is managed and paid off and furthermore a surplus can eventuate.  What I find continually a problem in Australia is that the majority of people seem to think that they are owed a living.  The concept of working hard to obtain a goal seems to more so replaced by an attitude that it should be given more so than earned. 


When I watch the television nowadays I see more and more mud slinging on the so called news and quite often a great deal of bullying.  Furthermore I see a country prepared to wear down those who try and achieve or make it impossible for a person to get ahead with constant bureaucracy and red tape.  I should be able to have my own political opinions without being slammed down or having so called fear and intimidation directed at me.


On my recent trip to New Zealand I noticed a government that had a good attitude. Despite many critics who will again try and slam me, I noticed a great surge in consumer confidence and pride.  I also monitor the New Zealand dollar compared to the Australian dollar and the New Zealand dollar is fast catching up.  As I write this post, the Australian Dollar is now buying $1.10 New Zealand.  Furthermore the New Zealand currency seems a lot more sensible than the Australian with the New Zealand $2 coin larger than their $1 coin. 


Finally New Zealand seems to have less of the tall poppy syndrome there. Also there is a better work ethic and tougher measures in preventing discrimination and bullying and harassment from occurring.  I really like New Zealand as it has wonderful scenery, great people, excellent hospitality and a focus on delivering quality.  The New Zealand Prime Minister Mr Key also being an ex Forex Trader no doubt has helped significantly in ensuring the New Zealand economy excels and is on track for a surplus very shortly.


I do not really support a left winged agenda for various reasons.  The first of being that a person cannot in my opinion be independent.  Secondly the very concept of socialism fails as it leads more towards communism and it strips away opportunity and entrepreneurial pursuits.  I also cannot stand the fear and control of it either because in all reality treating everyone equally is not going to work apart from the scum often rising to the surface. 


The life of New Zealand Prime Minister John Key is an interesting one.  For even though he represents the National Party, he lived in a housing commission when he was very young.  You may want to watch John Key as a Forex Trader on the following link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFnesMLasNQ


What I think is good about New Zealand also is that they have voluntary voting and less idiots than they do in Australia.  I think Australia is weighed down by bogans also and mostly people who just disrupt and make life difficult for others.  Whether you like or don't like John Key I think he seems a very switched on person and I think it will be interesting to see how New Zealand goes in the next 6 years. 

The Brisbane Aspie Adult Innovator Group Evolutionary Stages

I have written a blog post for some time.  So I thought that with some time that I would provide an update.  Today the group met at the Brisbane Square Library.  With the recent Australian Story featuring a young man with Autism, I thought we would watch the story in the group.  As adults we watched how this young man lived with Autism. I will be providing an update on our discussion via my youtube channel.  Unfortunately the full session of the meeting cannot be provided as it is hard to film with the very limited resources we have available.


I am currently still working on and seeing if I can obtain assistance with my grant submission.  As a person with a disability I am trying to obtain assistance because I have my own learning challenges.  I would like to have someone assist me with my proposal.  This would be to harness the potential of adults on the Autism Spectrum within a university setting. 


Last weekend the group hosted Ben Wilshire.  Ben visiting us from Orange and it was good for him to meet some of the adults.  Ben is working at Carewest in Orange.  Ben is trying his best to raise awareness of Autism in adults.  He has recently contacted Aspect.  We are hoping to work with Ben more closely and to assist him in the area of Autism. 




Ben Wilshire (second from right) myself visits Brisbane, Chris Lovell far right and Russell Kay far left.



The group is currently looking at ways to become more social and yet have at its very core a strong foundation and framework so that for now and into the future, persons on the Autism Spectrum will have a means of support access to better services.  I am hoping that in time we may be able to establish something that supports and reflects adults on the Autism Spectrum. 


There is still a lot of work to do and I am pleased with the group's progress so far.  Cliffe Hodgkinson from UQ Psychology is assisting the group a long with Blake (BJ) Connolly.  Chris Lovell is also helping out where he can to assist with more social activities. We are trying our best to support our group attendees as best as possible.   


Please stay tuned for more updates. 

New Zealand Trip September 2014

It was with much pleasure that I visited New Zealand in September 2014.  I started my tour from Queenstown arriving there on Sunday 31st August.  I found Queenstown awesome despite the motels being somewhat uncomfortable.  I visited Arrowtown a few times and Glenorchy.  The scenery was most spectacular.  As I had a hire car, I drove within 2 weeks at a leisurely pace from Queenstown, to Te Anau,  Invercargill, Dunedin, Omaru, Timaru and finally onto Christchurch.  Here I stayed for one full day and night before departing on my return to Brisbane as I write this post. 

While in Christchurch I met with both Leith McMurray and Jan Brooking.  I was made aware of the awesome work which Leith is doing with Aspie Help www.aspiehelp.com.  I was given some pamphlets which Leith has put together.  Leith informs me that she has also been getting some enquiries from Australia concerning Aspie Help.  While in Dunedin I visited firstly the University of Otago.  I met with Melissa Lethaby from Disability Information & Support Student Services.  Melissa was very helpful and I tried to connect with some adults on the Autism Spectrum.  Unfortunately this did not happen given the short time I was there but it's better to try than not to?  I then walked to Michael Woodhouse MP's office.  Here I met with parliamentary assistant Sue.  I expressed an interest in moving to New Zealand and to find out whether support was available.  In my time in Dunedin, while in Michael Woodhouse's office I was referred to Margaret Lawless and John Kena at Workbridge.  I mentioned my meeting with Valma Fisher (Library Administration Manager).  I wanted to find out whether opportunities existed within the University of Otago Library and whether a move from Australia may be possible given the fact I currently work in a library environment.  Although it is not possible anything is worth a try and optimism necessary.  I also got to check out Housing New Zealand and was referred to writing a grant application for funding within New Zealand. Of course I don't want to compete with adults who are advocates there but I really want to both harness and utilise the full potential of adults rather than most sitting on the scrap heap and sadly fading into oblivion.

Upon my return to Australia I hope to work with New Zealand where I can and to sometime in the future visit the adults on the north island.  We have some very energetic and motivated adults there and it would be good to meet with them. 




New Zealand Doubtful Sound Tour September 2014

In my meeting with Leith and Jan in Christchurch I visited the earthquake effected areas.  I wondered whether Christchurch could accommodate adults especially in the area of more accepting building codes with attention drawn to Orfield Labs within the United States?  Outside the box thinking may provide a crucial perspective in building design.

In the meantime we have some very enthusiastic adults in both countries committing themselves to the Autism cause. Otis is working with Acacia Law and Ben with Ability Links in Orange.  We have Joanne in Kapti Coast and Leith with Aspie Help so together we are firmly working on the cause to raise more awareness in adults. 

I will endeavour to provide a video update as soon as possible but for now please stay tuned for more updates when they become available.

Mapping out the NDIS

On Saturday 23rd August 2014 the group met with Dr Tony Attwood.  At the meeting the adults spoke with Tony about various topics.  This ranged from dealing with anxiety, depression and more importantly the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme).  The meeting went well and roughly there were around 30 to 40 people.

Dr Tony Attwood at Brisbane Aspie Adult Innovator Group

It was interesting that in the presentation Tony mentioned that there was a large amount of adults with ASD wanting support from the NDIS.  As there is a lack or very limited services, more needs to be done.  Furthermore attitudes need to change.  At the presentation other topics included dealing with both anxiety and depression.  Whether to disclose and how to deal with disclosure both in life and in employment.  As the meeting went for 3 hours an array of topics were chosen and Tony did his best to cover them.  For more information about Dr Tony Attwood please visit www.tonyattwood.com.au 

At the moment I am feeling somewhat burned out.  I have put in a lot of work over the last year and this does take its toll.  I am looking forward to having a couple of weeks break after this week.  I am also assisting overseas students in getting around so this has kept me busy.  I am also receiving counselling to deal with anxiety management and trying to deal with frustration in life. Often the complacency, lack of awareness and status quo can also take its toll.  

The next meeting with Dr Tony Attwood will be on Saturday 29th November 2014.  We also have some other presentations as well. For more information please contact me via www.garryburge.com 

The adult group is not a clinical group nor does it try to change the ways people on the Autism Spectrum think and function.  It is not about conformity nor is it a broken toy factory where people come needing to be fixed.  It is growing progressively and one of the major challenges is trying to obtain funding.  It is just simply a large diversion when the emphasis is on chasing grants and funding when such emphasis should be placed on ensuring the quality and continuation of the group.  

We can only hope that the NDIS will soon become a reality and that necessary support and services will be made available to adults on the Autism Spectrum but for now the hardwork needs to continue.  For more information about what was discussed in the meeting please why not come a long to a meeting or get in touch with group admin via Facebook.  The link to the group can be found by visiting Brisbane Aspie Adult Innovator Group  It is first necessary to get in touch with Group Admin to find out more. 

Please stay tuned for more updates.  

Kind regards

Garry Burge

Founder

www.garryburge.com 

Looking for better services

I have recently been in contact with Disability Services Queensland to find out what support is available for people with disabilities.  I would like to emphasize more so abilities as having Autism still remains sadly a negative stigma in Australia.  It would be good to see a capitalization on such strengths more so than a total ignorance and avoidance.

Next Thursday I will be having an assessment done. I hope that this will help not only me but others to find the help and support which they need in their daily lives.  Dr Tony Attwood has just provided me with my diagnostic assessment which should go a long way to help as well.

At the next meeting of the Brisbane Aspie Adult Innovator Group we will be hosting an employment presentation.  If you are an adult on the Autism Spectrum and feel that you want to do better at job interviews and know how to apply for employment why not come a long.  Simply contact me via www.garryburge.com  to find out more information.  We also have some interesting presentations coming up.  We welcome Dr Tony Attwood on Saturday 23rd August, Tobias Volbert Saturday 25th October and Jeremy Samson on Saturday 6th December.  We have also booked our current venue at the Brisbane City Square Library to ensure meetings continue next year.

Next Tuesday my employment consultant will be visiting the workplace.  Hopefully things will get better soon?

Tomorrow I hope to be going to the Brisbane Exhibition. I haven't been there in a long time so well worth a visit.

Improving Your Workplace

I am constantly looking at ways to find ways that my abilities and ideas can be better utilised.  I thought this morning of ways that plants could be used within a workplace to provide a more seemly setting.  For instance not many people know that there are some orchids that are able to adapt or be used to transform a workplace.

Phalaenopsis Orchid can grow well indoors

When I visited Singapore on transit to Europe a few years ago I noticed the orchids at Changi Airport. These orchids were indoors and they were certainly prolific.  Could you imagine in a workplace whether it be a library, a business or some other organisation orchids growing within the work setting?  Furthermore the orchids would help to make and transform a workplace to make it feel much nicer.  For the public there are some benefits to for instead of looking at an ugly grey wall, they could instead see an orchid or a fern?

Orchids at Changi Airport in Singapore.

With over 13 years experience of growing orchids and knowing how they can thrive and adapt, I wish I could advise workplaces and other organisations of what orchids would be suitable for the work environment.  The many benefits of growing orchids include.

• Orchids have aerial roots (they don't need to be in soil)
• They can flower for long periods 
• Orchids require little water
• Fertilizing only needs to be so often depending on the orchid.  
• Orchids can have very withstanding foliage 

For a lot of work environments I would suggest either Phalaenopsis or Dendrobium orchids.  Cattleya orchids can also be good as they flower at certain times in the year and can be very strong and durable.  

Below I have placed some images of some suitable orchids which I believe could tolerate a work environment.  I cannot understand why more work environments do not have plants or even accommodate some animals being cats or dogs just to make workplaces much friendlier.  Why do people hate working and why can't work spaces adapt so that people can better cope within a work environment if they are forced to work?  Surely some staff can and should be able to provide feedback at ways to make the work setting more friendly rather than having grey walls and sad faces?

Dendrobium Orchid 

Phalaenopsis Orchid

Cattleya Orchid 

So what are you waiting for?  If you are interested in being advised on what orchid or orchids may be suited for your workplace please contact me via www.garryburge.com 

Preparing for February Asperger Services Australia Conference 2015

I am looking at presenting again for Asperger Services Australia  The title of next year's conference will be "Human Being on the Spectrum".  As I write this post, I am looking at and thinking about what I will present about. 


As you are aware the adult group is still continuing to meet and we are attracting more members.  We are looking at more adults undertaking their own presentation within the group as an icebreaker.  This allows for us to get to know the adult concerned better and for the presenting adult to have an opportunity to feel more part of the group and to express their own journey, special interests and ways that the group can continue forward.  We are hoping to have some more presentations in the not too distant future.  We also look forward to hosting Dr Tony Attwood in August.  For more information about Dr Attwood please visit www.tonyattwood.com.au


At our last meeting on Saturday 19th July 2014, we had the pleasure of hosting Nick from Peep Digital.  Their website is http://www.peepdigital.com/  Some of the adults within the group mentioned to Nick about ways that having Autism may be better utilised, understood and accepted within the wider community.  I also provided feedback in that perhaps adults on the Autism Spectrum could be employed at making applications (Apps) for tablets, devices etc.  What better resource could be employed than the experience of an adult on the Autism Spectrum for children and adolescents?  What support could be available within schools and in the wider community to help raise better awareness and support?




Nick speaks to the group about PeeP Digital http://www.peepdigital.com/

There are many advantages to having much friendlier technology for Autism as this would help with some of the challenges depending where a person is on the spectrum.  If there are some challenges with verbal and non verbal language, perhaps sound and audio equipment could provide a means of communication?  This feedback was provided to Nick at the meeting yesterday.  


On Wednesday I will be undertaking the second part of research taking place into adults.  I will be participating in this research to help with an understanding of what challenges and difficulties exist for someone like myself.  Hopefully this will be important to obtain a better understanding and raise more awareness? 


We are looking at ways in the group to allow all members a chance to participate more and to provide a positive image of Autism in the wider community.  There are still many challenges and a great deal of people who just need better awareness so as to increase both awareness and understanding. 


I look forward to providing more posts in the future.  I also appreciate support and ask you to please contact me or subscribing to  my youtube.  Please stay tuned for more updates.


Understanding Autism in the workplace



How to help adults with Autism obtain and maintain employment

I am currently exploring ways of making it possible in employing more adults on the Autism Spectrum in employment.  With this in mind, some of the concepts I am looking at to better inform companies, business, government departments etc about Autism are as follows.


1. Talking with HR (Human Resources) about ways to make use of persons on the Autism Spectrum and to understand adults better.


2. Talking with unions about standing up for rights and ensuring support for a person on the Autism Spectrum.


3. Talking with Disability Employment Service providers about what jobs may be suitable and what kind of support is required based on my own personal experiences.


4. Suggesting ways to better utilise skills and abilities of adults with Autism in a workplace


5. Briefing employers about the difficulties of workplace bullying and ways to deal with and overcome this serious issue


6. How to harness the special interests and abilities of adults with Autism to better inform and expand on a business or company's knowledge.


Above are some ideas I am exploring at the moment but I need to hear from business, companies, employers etc should they wish to contact me.  I am only to happy to assist and can be contacted via my website www.garryburge.com


With an unemployment of nearly 85%, a means of employing adults on the Autism Spectrum and making Autism marketable is something I am constantly investigating.  I will be looking at ways to explore this and at the moment I am concentrating on the Brisbane market to see if I can obtain any support in what I intend to do. 

Where to from now?

As the advocacy work continues to gain momentum, the biggest decisions are yet to come.  Should I apply or rather we apply for funding?  The main issues I see with funding are they are a diversion from the work that I am doing.  Time would need to be spent simply on writing applications, lobbying and furthermore submitting endless documents to convince the powers that be that the work which I do is viable. 


As I write this post, I continue to push to the fullest extent all social media outlets.  These include Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and LinkedIn.  All I can do is keep expanding as much as possible and sending the message out as much as possible. 


Some questions that continue to plague me are how can I change attitudes in this country and furthermore how can I convince people that Autism is not a curse, disease or something that needs curing?  The only thing I can do is to continue to grow and reach out the advocacy.  The work is both challenging and rewarding but still a lot more needs to be done.  I am reaching out as much as possible to businesses and government sectors trying to spread the message. At times it can simply be maddening when you find meetings never eventuate or funding or support simply dries up.  It is important to stay strong however and keep moving forward. 


Over the coming months I will be looking at and exploring ways of trying to make Autism more attractive in the sense of innovation and utilisation.  I know of many adults who simply have more to offer than being forced to remain in seclusion.  I have been able to assist some obtain employment and others to try and grow their own skills and abilities.  There are still many barriers which still remain and hurdles yet to be crossed.  There needs to be a simple solution and a practical one? 




How is obtaining sponsorship or funding possible to utilise potential?

As the Autism advocacy continues to expand so to does the need for providing necessary support and assistance to those on the Autism Spectrum.  What still is lacking are the services which could better improve the lives of many adults.  Some still confront a lot of social isolation and depression.  Furthermore there also needs to be a means of employing adults.  This does remain a challenge but it is possible given the right attitudes and encouragement. 


I spend a lot of time trying to contact organisations and utilise networks to expand awareness of the work which I do.  On the whole countless energy is required to maintain a website, take and answer phone calls and to keep an adult group going and expanding momentum.  What many people don't see is the work I also do from home which can be very time consuming. 


I really hope one day though that the work I do may attract some funding or sponsorship.  This money would go directly into employing adults and providing a means of better improving awareness and creating training and or employment.  I would also like to have an opportunity of speaking at some overseas locations in the not too distant future about my own personal experiences of having Autism.  My dreams and aspirations continue to remain both optimistic and I am still ambitious to keep pushing forth.  What I need though is for people to assist me with the work I do as I cannot do all of it on my own. I need to delegate some duties and responsibilities to others.  Also required is someone to assist with advice and ways to make things better. 


As I get older I really do enjoy the challenge of working for myself within an Autism advocacy framework. I can get things done as best as possible and ensure I continue to implement a professional and high quality service.  All I need is for better support, awareness and recognition which in time I hope will come? 


My website for further contact is www.garryburge.com and I am happy to answer questions, queries or advice which you might have. 


Warm regards
Garry Burge

The Brisbane Aspie Adult Innovator Group meets Maja Toudal

Yesterday the group hosted Maja Toudal to its Brisbane meeting.  It was good to meet Maja and her partner Michael both visiting Australia from Denmark.  Maja spoke to the group about her own experiences of being on the Autism Spectrum and we then visited the Shingle Inn for lunch afterward.  We tried our best to show Maja some historical part of Brisbane at least. 


I really hope that Maja's visit will mean that a positive way forth will happen in Australia.  We really need to be raising more awareness of the Autism Spectrum in adults and furthermore start to see ways of providing a positive future for adults.  I spoke briefly to Maja's partner Michael about some things happening in Denmark and I hope to visit Denmark in the not too distant future.  For example there is Specialisterne which now employs adults on the Autism Spectrum and someone visiting us from Europe.  It would be good to see more adults visit Australia from abroad. I am always ambitious and optimistic with future visions.  I would one day like to see more opportunities of adults on an exchange scenario where they may be able to visit another country like Denmark and receive some training and another culture which may assist in overcoming some of the difficulties with social isolation and exclusion?


Meeting Maja Toudal

The group is looking to be incorporated under Asperger Services Australia.  This will be a slow process and one that all adults I hope will be able to provide some thoughts, ideas and feedback. 


I also would like to talk about the concerns of reaching middle age as an adult on the Autism Spectrum.  Life does become harder and existing support seems to not represent.  For instance private health insurance seems to cover more sport injuries more so than access to counselling and support for mental health and others challenges.  Also there is very little support to assist with social isolation and linking to other sectors of the community just seems to be more overwhelming.  Finally if I am required to pay tax this year where is the support for disability services?  I think it would be good if the adult group could be a pilot in providing an adult task force to meet with government and other sectors of the community.  

Going on dates with Internet Dating

In some of my last posts I spoke of my experiences of Internet Dating.  So far I have been using RSVP.  I find Oasis a little less effective primarily because it seems to cover a wider world wide audience. I often gets women from Brazil or Mexico wanting to connect with me.  So for this reason I tend to rely on it less.

Internet dating is by no means easy.  I have gone out on approximately 6 dates so far with each experience being different.  The way I use RSVP is to work the kisses on it to see if I can find prospective women interested in going out on a date.  If you are able to work on the technique properly, you can get an email response.

What I find the most difficult is not knowing what to do or expect on the date.  Most dates seem to be only one off.  Connecting again seems impossible and scenarios different from one to the next.  In my first experience, I found there was a woman interested in me but me not her.  In my most recent experience I found I was interested in a woman, having kissed twice and held hands.  I felt there was chemistry but this other woman not.  Furthermore the main issue is scams.  Are these women telling the truth?  Are they really interested in a relationship or friendship or do they have some other agenda?  With my last date I think there may have been some concerns but at any rate I am now back to square one again.

Trying to work out internet dating.

What I find the hardest thing with dating is what is expected of me.  I seem to be unable to read body language and or even knowing what signals are being sent out and what signals I am sending out.  It is also hard just to be yourself for often there are high expectations placed on me.  The process just seems so overwhelming from many angles.  Just like a job interview which is primarily based on a person's appearance and performance at the time, the dating process is very similar. How well do you know the person on the first encounter and are they genuine and should more time be given?

There seems to be no real way of meeting persons of the opposite sex as bars and clubs are places I have no interest in.  Despite the noise being overwhelming, you can hardly communicate and filter out excessive noise. I also think that Aspie men may rely on emotion more so than body language which can make the process hard in itself.  I often feel that it is like losing all your body limbs and then having to regrow them for the next encounter.  

On RSVP I have managed to make it to the 100 list.  I do so to also try and dispel any negative connotations people have with men on the Autism Spectrum.  There are many advantages to being Aspie but yet people still don't really understand us and a lot more still needs to be done.  For me the challenges with internet dating include.

1. Body language

2. Conversation

3. Where to go and what to do after the first date.

4. Expectations 

5. Trust

6. How to define boundaries

7. Future contact

8. Predatory behaviour

9. Venues

10. Rejection

While I write this I am still trying my best to deal with the challenges and barriers as I don't really want to be lonely all of my life despite needing periods of seclusion.