Software Testing Ideas and Update

Upon my return from New Zealand I contacted Gordon Sanderson and spoke with him about any updates or developments with software testing.  Gordon has spoken with a representative from ANZTB (Australia & New Zealand Software Testing Board) but unfortunately this has hit another snag.  So for the moment it is back to square one. However, Gordon has been in contact with Peter MacDonald from www.autismworks.co.uk which is good news.  For software testing to go ahead in Brisbane, it is more than likely a software testing model needs to be replicated.  It would be great to see Brisbane obtain a replication and then for other software testing replications to occur in both Australia and New Zealand.  The main problem both Australia and New Zealand seem to confront is that both countries are geographically isolated from the rest of the world.  In my previous post I mentioned that we need to work around difficulties and I believe that Australasia is ideally placed and we can better utilise our geographical isolation to reinvent or greatly improve our own Autism awareness. 

There are Aspies in both Australia and New Zealand who are working behind the scenes to help improve awareness where possible.  I am trying to play my part also.  One suggestion I have is that the University of Queensland could implement within the Information Technology Department a means of testing the strenghts, abilities and performance levels of adults on the Autism Spectrum.  This would assist with job performance and how to utilise the strenghts and abilities of the adult concerned and structure this within employment.  It would be good if for instance the University of Queensland Information Technology Department could also introduce a course designed for software testing and also better educating persons with Information Technology to work with Aspies if at all possible. 

With the University of Queensland implementing a work test for software testing for Aspies, this could better prepare the adult for employment and allowing them a means of working within a framework where the work environment could be similar to Autism Works, Specialisterne, Aspiritech.  It is a matter of time to see if such proposals may be implemented.  I would like in my spare time to work on or perhaps restructure the work environment for adults so as to encourage them to perform within employment and this would not be a conventional pattern of employment.  Some Aspies for instance may be productive for a few hours but after that they may become mentally fatigued and others may be able to work for longer periods within a routine.  This is why testing the strenghts and abilities of adults at a university would be something needing serious consideration. 

Gordon whom I mentioned earlier is assisting me with advocacy work.  Gordon will be in Europe for 5 weeks and for anyone interested in getting in touch with Gordon they can do so through Facebook in my friend's list.  Perhaps Gordon may be able to visit Autism Works or Specialisterne in Scotland upon his visit to the United Kingdom?  

I believe Aspies can work but the main obstacle is employers not understanding the condition or their strenghts and abilities.  This is why change and more understanding is needed.  I would like to work with interested Aspies to ensure they are able to adjust within employment and be able to hold down a job. 

For more information and updates on software testing please visit www.autismworks.co.uk

I have also written to new Vice Chancellor Apointee Peter Hoj and mentioned Autism Works to him also.  I understand Mr Hoj is also from Denmark where Thorkil Sonne is who started Specialisterne in Denmark. 

How the NDIS could provide better services

One of the areas the National Disability Insurance Scheme needs to look into is accommodation and support for adults on the Autism Spectrum within the community.  These need to be done as follows. 

1. Autism Associations provide housing and accommodation support depending on the needs base of the adult concerned

2. Housing to be made available in areas with close proximity to services and transport etc

3. Determine the person's income status and whether or not they they can afford certain levels of support or whether they follow or have the same needs of expenditure that others do.  For instance most adults on the Autism Spectrum aren't really interested in consumer spending and some are good savers.

4. Provide awareness to the community of disability to help make society better understand.

In my contact with adults from around the world, most have different needs and abilities. My own situation is challenging at times as I still live with my elderly parents.  I just don't know what to do.  The rental market is expensive and with the Carbon and Mining Taxes soon being introduced, Australia is going to become more expensive.  Also nothing is being done about mental health.  I have followed closely the work of New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, who has introduced a mental health care plan in New Zeland.  I have thought about contact it and asking if as an Australian, New Zealand would be able to help me?  I just feel very frustrated in that nothing is being done in Australia.  I constantly feel frustrated in that I cannot utilise any of my skills or abilities and feel I am beating my head against a brick wall in wanting to see things done. 

I wonder also if the Defence Forces are able to employ or utilise people with Autism in sections which involve attention to detail and meticulous input.  Also the sense of discipline may help for others to understand Aspies better.  Yesterday I attended an Anzac Day Service and saw lots of younger people and wondered how they could better understand Autism.  It also seems hard to connect with the non Autistic population as they simply don't get it if you think and act differently.  Getting to the service in itself was a challenge and trying to not over step the mark with authority figures.

I don't think the NDIS is being implemented fast enough and I worry about my own future.  My elderly parents also are concerned and with everything falling on my shoulders and so many expectations of having to perform when I struggle, I really just don't know what to do.  I hope things change soon for the better!

Working around the boundaries

As an Aspie life presents itself with challenges, setbacks, obstacles and disappointments.  The regular world that humanity lives in seems to have conventions and hierarchical restraints which make achieving things almost impossible if you cannot always understand them.  Whenever I mention the difficulties I have as an Aspie, I find non Autistic people are quick to jump at my comments to say 'non Autistic people have the same difficulties' .  Let me emphasise though that despite the so called similarities, that persons on the Autism Spectrum struggle more at being socially abled.  To simply put it, disability affects the Autistic person with our inability to understand the social cues and conventions others take for granted.  We also struggle with a society largely being unaware of our internal struggles.

I guess it is natural for most people to think that a difference needs to be obvious but for many Aspies we can look like non Aspies and yet we can be pushed around or misunderstood simply for not responding in an automated fashion which others assume to be endemic in all people.  If you can imagine employment and social lives, you can begin to understand why persons on the Autism Spectrum alone experience difficulty.  Just thinking and acting differently which I think needs emphasis due to Aspies having different wiring raises the needs for awareness.  If you can imagine that within the non Autistic world there are no boundaries just a different means of wiring, then you can begin to understand the challenges that Aspies confront.

I have come to the realisation that within life there are many setbacks and despite people having said 'you just need to try harder' or 'you have to stop using AS as an excuse and break free' that this is not always possible.  For instance, life seems to be largely dependent on a person's social skills and measured on how well socially a person may be.  For men on the Autism Spectrum, I feel that our greatest challenges are in terms of making friends, entering relationships and in finding employment.  The very few of us in employment also confront the difficulties of being unsuccessful in 'promotion' or in being allowed more opportunity in tasks which involve a lot of mental energy and intelligence but not so dependent on social skills.  I guess anyone reading this post would be quick to criticise my comments as being unrealistic or too Aspie focused?

I often find that within Australia and less so in other cultures, thinking and acting differently has with it many obstacles.  Furthermore, there are the past bad experiences of being bullied just for being different or pushed around.  Why does this happen?  I have come to accept that in life challenges, expectations and opportunities are something not to take for granted. I try to live a life where I live in the moment but try not to have expectations because they simply wont work out.  I often stumble and make clumsy mistakes on occasion with my interaction with people and try to hard to expect the world to change within the 'southern hemisphere' of Aspie awareness.  I often over think Aspie awareness in the southern hemisphere in draw conclusions that perhaps being on the lower extremities of the equator that land mass is less so than water.  Australia and New Zealand being English speaking countries are more remote from South Africa and the non English tongue of South America.  A voice is needed within the southern antipodes and there are many Aspies in the southern hemisphere but our means of awareness is perhaps different to our northern counterparts.  I think low population density, a lack of publishers, a vacuum of  complacency and other factors just makes our struggle so much harder should we wish to link to the northern hemisphere.  Perhaps people don't know what I am talking about?  If you can imagine the world like the human brain having two spheres then you would understand that the left and the right side operate differently.  Within the southern hemisphere perhaps being similar to one hemisphere of the brain a lot of work needs to be done so that our region can catch up!

The way around obstacles is to not let them get you down but instead work around them. Every bit of work no matter how slow it may be, advances Autism awareness one inch further.  Despite my efforts in trying to get software testing in Australasia, I think that it can be done.  If New Zealand adopt software testing before Australia then, Australia can expand from New Zealand and visa versa.  I think Australasia, is geographically remote from other countries of the world but there is Facebook and other internet facilities where us Aspies can link with other countries in the globe.  Have you ever wondered why so many persons on the Autism Spectrum are linked or rely on computers as a means of communication?    I see boundaries as not so much brick walls but more so challenges that can be got around but with small steps.  

People just don't get it

Imagine arriving in another country not understanding the language being unable to communicate and struggling to speak the same language, Imagine how it would feel? for many adults on the autism spectrum such questions are reality. Just because you look like everybody else does not mean that you think and act and process information the same way that they do. I have received comments in my life how I just use Asperger's syndrome too much as a crutch an excuse not to do things. Do you really think that I would be doing this when I'm affected by something that makes life challenging and difficult? In my contact with other adults from Australia and around the world I hear a similar story of depression and anxiety and bullying in past experiences. Quite simply why is nothing being done any society unaware and not able to understand such issues? I spend large amounts of time in social isolation because I just feel that people are unable to connect and I think and feel that whatever I think that people dont seem to understand! As I get older I find it challenging wise and I'm not sure what will happen by way of support after my parents are no longer around? To answer this question there just doesn't seem to be anything available and what is happening with the National Disability Insurance Scheme? Many adults on the autism spectrum are confronted with this very issue in their day-to-day lives and their parents and families. Also what support is a available in terms of employment, housing and support and services? Within the community there are many families affected by autism but they remain a silent minority and how much longer does this need to continue? I find it difficult but every time I seem confrontational people react in a defensive manner and this does not help! It It just seems that people are unable to see behind the person with Autism to exactly know what struggles we are personally confronting. People cannot be blamed for not knowing what to do and have to be aware which means more awareness and support reaches the wider community and this needs to happen as soon as possible! Some men on the autism spectrum have given up looking for relationships because they feel that the opposite sex just don't understand them and the dating process all to traumatic. People on the autism spectrum don't often want special treatment more so just want greater support awareness and understanding! So again I ask what is happening in terms of the National Disability Insurance Scheme? Australian Society seems largely unaware of autism especially in adults because most adults look like other people but yet cannot function in the same way that others do. So something needs to happen! What am I can see is that the government wanting to just put people with autism onto pensions and forgetting about them when most really want to work and have some form of structure in their lives. I tirelessly push for software testing for adults on the autism spectrum to provide meaningful and long-lasting employment. So it would be good if something were to happen Some people find social situations daunting but if a person is shy they are unable to have the social skills and the body language and are able to read social queues whereas if the person on the Autism Spectrum struggles often to communicate at all. It is pleasing that more people know what Asperger Syndrome and struggle to sometimes even talk autism but yet there's little training on specific people to know how to deal with autism.

Fixing a broken system needs to happen now!

We live in a society which I feel largely excludes persons with disabilities from interacting within the community.  By this I mean, if you have a mobility impairment, you have to find your own way to a destination, deal with often the lack of support and help associated with it and society's attitude.  Also you not bother to go to a venue as it may lack wheelchair access etc

When I worked part time for CODA (Carers of Disabled Adults) one of my duties was to organise events for persons with disabilities and their carers to attend.  This may have involved going to a soccer game, or to a theatre etc.  Very few organisations put up their hands to help and the ones that were approached seemed to show very little or no interest.  In relation to Autism, we live in a community which wants to label and furthermore lack the time necessary to accommodate those who are different.  Bill Shorten spoke about the National Disability Scheme in Australia in 2009 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYkJ80WB2LY  So far Mr Shorten has been the only person to have mentioned disability in the community, the struggles those of us with a disability confront and the need to do something about this.

With the election of the Campbell Newman as Queensland Premier, one of the pledges is to look into disability and also hopefully the implementation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.  Wouldn't it be a better place if people were able to include more so than exclude persons with disabilities?  For people with Autism we often confront ignorance in our everyday lives.  We can be blamed in the way we think, react and have difficulty in being able to communicate with others. I remember once a woman saying to me 'it's amazing you get out'.  I find this comment insulting because I felt I was treated like an invalid.  I find in society that I am largely ignored, distanced and sometimes criticised for being the way I am and think.  It is immensely difficult when you try and also sugar coat how you really feel in some situations.  People can just be so insensitive or unaware that you know that being sometimes upfront is not going to resolve or change a situation.

Australia has a broken disability system and it is badly broken.  I personally feel the Gillard Government is not doing enough about disability and I am also unaware of what commitment the Australian Opposition has to disability also.  We live sadly in a society where there is little or no community and often the only hope a person with a disability has is to join a church or a similar organisation.  As I get older myself I am not sure of my future.  What will happen after my parents die?  Will I ever find a girlfriend or get married?  Will I end up in an institution?  Some of these questions plague my mind.  Nothing just seems to be available at the moment.

Disability should not be used for political point scoring nor should it be neglected or put on the back burner.  For too long persons with disabilities have been on the outer in society.  Look at Brisbane where I live and you will find all disability groups still on the outer. Lack of public transport facilities and other places which make accommodation or allowances.  It would be nice to live in a world where persons with disabilities could co-exist with other people.  For instance if you have Asperger Syndrome that people your age could say 'yeah I know Garry he's a little different to others but he has an interest in orchids and history and seems a good guy' whereas instead I find I am largely treated like a leper and people seem unaware of how to deal with neuro diversity.  I can give other examples of other persons with Autism I know but I really need to get my message across to readers viewing this post.

Going out into the community is a monumental effort.  Trying to hold down a job is also. At times I find myself at odds with people.  Yesterday for instance, I had a library patron approach me with a question but being held back in how much I can actually help in the job and being cut down in not being able to go beyond with what I am doing, I felt disinterested in assisting this client any further.  I also feel that people think I am whinging when I have suggested on numerous occasions that the library internal stairwell is an Occupational Workplace Health and Safety Hazard and causes me sensory grief.  I just wish people could understand me better and for me to not be treated like some kind of deviant.  When the patron approached me also yesterday, a more senior person was in close proximity and seemed 'annoyed' at how little I was helping the patron.  I felt quite frankly that if I were approached by the staff member that I would say 'well working in UQ (University of Queensland) I am aware that I am largely to do manual handling tasks only and to exercise initiative is something that I should not bother to do as it wont help me anyway. 

It angers me immensely the way that governments want to simply confine persons with disabilities especially Autism onto welfare payments.  Most want to work but are fearful of applying for jobs as they know the interview process and selection criteria work against them not to mention the fear of bullying and the possibility of getting sacked.  Such issues are a reality and as I write this post I know of an adult on the Autism Spectrum from across the Tasman in New Zealand who is living in Australia, and is confronting bullying in their work environment and possibility unfair dismissal.  Such issues can no longer be ignored and I only hope that the new government in Queensland can start to intervene and provide help.  As I write this post I am also aware of others who may choose to disagree with what I write and brand me a trouble maker but if I do not stand up for persons with Autism then what hope do we have?  A lot of work needs to be done.  I am also trying my hardest to make software testing in Australia a reality.

Please write to your politicians and pressure the Australian Government to do something about disability and the National Insurance Scheme.  Urgent action needs to happen. Also work environments which are unsafe with potential Occupational Workplace Health and Safety Issues need urgent action.  A person should not be exposed to hazards within a workplace and psychological hardships.

PLEASE HELP OUT TO MAKE A BROKEN SYSTEM BECOME ONE THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED FAST!

Connecting Aspies to the community

Last Saturday Queensland had a change of government.  Hopefully this will mean a great deal many things will happen.  Disability and Autism being just some of the things which need attention.   

One of the concerns I have is that the disability system in Australia is broken.  I have been in touch with Kenmore Baptist Church on the western side of Brisbane, and yesterday I attended the Church in the Park event.  Here I met with a few people around my age and spoke with them about how there is need for more community and support for persons with disabilities.  I found it reassuring that one of them knew about Autism having a friend who is 21 on the Autism Spectrum.  I spoke about the need to remove the label and to try and obtain inclusion of persons on the Autism Spectrum as being included and less so labelled or carrying a stigma. In other words, I suggested that people accept and embrace Autism and its diversity more so than avoid or ignore it.  Unfortunately a lot more work needs to be done as people seem reluctant and fearful still to embrace Autism.  I also suggested the possiblity at some future stage of talking about my experiences but of course if and when the congregation may be interested.  For instance Rocks Riverside Park at Jindalee could be one place where an Autism Event could happen similar to the Stadium of Light in the United Kingdom which saw many people turn up to listen. 

With the disability system being broken in Australia, there needs to be support from sectors and areas of the community to assist in the meantime.  Churches may be one possible area to provide support.  I am finding as I get older that social challenges are becoming more difficult.  At times I find just walking into crowds of people can be debilitating as anxiety tends to make me freeze up and function with more difficulty.  I also feel frustrated that I am under performing in employment because I am not able to use any of my intelligence or have it used in employment. It is not so much the fault of the employer but the system in which it operates as the may tiers in job classification levels and focus specifically on manual handling makes things difficult.

Next Tuesday night, I will be attending a meeting of the Australia and New Zealand Software Testing Board.  I would like to find out what is involved and required to get the ball rolling here.  I am disappointed by being held back more so than utilized to get the process rolling and to start employing adults as software testers.  I also will be speaking at Autism Focus where I last spoke on Friday about my experiences of having Asperger Syndrome. 

It is encouraging to see more happening but we still have a long way to go.  Over the coming months I intend to see what support the new Queensland Government will have on offer in supporting people with Autism and Disabilities etc.  Anyhow please wait more updates as they come to hand. 

What exactly is happiness?

I am asked ocassionally 'don't you want to be happy?" I ask myself "hrmm how exactly do you define happiness?"  In all honesty I would be happy if people started to understand, accept and embrace Autism.  I would like to see persons, families and friends who are affected by Autism better understood within the community.  People saying "Oh yes I know about Autism, you must have you own abiliites and challenges?"  Instead I hear about how happiness is defined within the confines of what a Non Autistic Person thinks as happiness.  Money does not provide happiness nor does luxury.  Happiness if I understand the word correctly is a euphoric feeling relating to a certain event in a person's life.

In all honesty and I am going to be literal as I am, I find a great period of my life is trying to come to terms with what I know and exists around me.  I also know that either something good happens or instead I just survive as best I can.   I know there are others less fortunate than I am, but across the Autism Spectrum there are a lot of very frustrated and unhappy people.  This is a reality because services, support and understanding are not provided to them.  Money is not everything and it does not buy you happiness.  To have friends that embrace Autism and know you have it makes the world of difference more so than rejection and believe me I am not being hard on myself and I am speaking the truth the best way I know how.

Like other people in Australia I endured the floods in January last year.  The situation was traumatic but the thing I could not understand is why people did not talk about it and why no action was undertaken to reassure people that Brisbane would be flood proofed as best as possible?  Whenever you encounter an event which was devasting like it was last year, wouldn't it be a viable option to start fast tracking immediately measures to reassure people that should such a diaster occur again that they know they are safe?  Instead in all honesty I have seen very little done and a flood report handed down just days before an election.

Everytime I hear rain I feel on edge and wonder 'I hope it does not flood again'.  During the flood the whole experience was traumatic but it did provide the community with a spirit of looking after each other.  However, everything returned to 'normal'. People returned to their homes, hid behind their fences and again do not speak to each other.  It is sad when after such a traumatic event that people were not provided with a sense of reassurance. I even wrote to the Queensland Premier to suggest to her that perhaps a carnival or circus could be put on to take people's minds away from the pain of being flooded. In all fairness the Premier did respond with "I will forward your idea on" but nothing ever happened.  The weather at the moment is weird.  Here we are in Brisbane and it is still humid with this rain never going away.  In fact I have not seen one fine day in over 4 months.  The rain just does not stop and it feels like a form of punishment.  How many people were counselled after the flood I wonder to myself?  

I don't feel happy because people do not understand me.  It is like I exist in a shield or bubble and people just do not get it.  I find that every attempt that I make now with mostly exhaustion just does not work.  I ask would I be better off somewhere else?   However the many conventions and obstacles just make the thought impossible.  At times you feel like a leper in a lepar colony.  I hate the weather in Queensland now after the floods.  I just am on edge everytime it rains.  What if it floods again and what reassurance is there in case of precautions? Is anyone listening?

There is no such thing is Autum in Queensland and it looks like the rain will be relentless.  You hear it on your roof and it never stops and you have fear in your mind that you just can't escape it and what will it do?! Australia is such a harsh country in all honesty and the people who arrived here need to be admired to put up with its harshness.  What if it floods again?   Will the Queensland Government be returned on the back of  a natural diaster such thoughts come into your mind.  I hate rain and when I hear it and I feel this constant humidity I wonder if this big island quarry will ever experience cooler weather?   It just seems that Brisbane now has a wet and a dry season and God only knows how much more of this rain we have to experience here?  It just seems to come back again and again and does not stop.  Also to top things off as hell can you imagine the thought of a cyclone forming off the coast of Fraser Island.  Australia is a rough country and it is no wonder its people are rough with the droughts and flooding rains you get here.  The humidity is also intolerable as it is during the wet months. 

Catching up with Damian and learning more duties

Yesterday I caught up with Damian Santomauro who is in his second year of his PhD on the Autism Spectrum in young adults.  If you are not aware of Damian, he is an adult who has Asperger Syndrome and the work he is doing is very important as he is focusing his study more on young adults.  As the University of Queensland is a large place, it was hard for both Damian and myself to find a comfortable place to talk with all the crowds on campus.  We discussed how it can be difficult for Aspies to be understood by Non Autistic people and whether or not attitudes will change.  We also are cyncial like Aspies are of politicians.  With a change of government looking obvious in Queensland, we want to kow as well as other adults if support will be provided for adults on teh Autism Spectrum? 

On Friday 23rd March 2012 I will be attending a conference in the afternoon hosted by Autism Focus
The conference provides the following information:

AUTISM/ASPERGER SYNDROME AND SUCCESS IN THE WORKPLACE;
by Marilyn Patterson, for AUTISM FOCUS
                                    March 23rd, Brisbane International Resort

This unique program investigates in detail the difficulties persons with Autism or Asperger Syndrome (ASD) face in preparing for, obtaining and keeping paid or voluntary work. Content stems from Marilyn’s extensive background in the field of ASD education, and a compilation of current research and successful practice by others working with clients in the workplace. Throughout the day a host of practical, time proven and easy to apply strategies are offered to address:
? job selection, case conferencing and interview preparation
? the unique talents and obstacles a person with ASD can bring to the workplace and strategies to enhance success
? stress and anger management
? relationship issues and ‘getting on with others’ in the workplace
This program suits employment agencies, educators, work experience coordinators, community support agencies, families, carers, persons with ASD and others interested in the area.
Full registration and costing details are included in the attached flyer – enquiries are welcome via email or the phone contacts below.
Please feel free to pass this information on to others who may be interested
kind regards,
The AUTISM FOCUS TEAM

AUTISM FOCUS
ABN:18 754 520 841

MARILYN PATTERSON; KEVIN HURFORD
0407 08 6661
07 3408 6661
www.autismfocus.com.au
mpa95526@bigpond.net.au

I hope to also speak briefly at the conference and take a long some books also.  My book can be obtained on my website www.garryburge.com 

I am now also working in the Dorothy Hill Physics, Sciences and Engineering Library on a Thursday and Friday.  This is a refreshing change after having waited for almost 6 years to be rotated to another library branch.  I am responsible for opening the library of a morning, processing the mail and a few other duties besides shelving.  While in the Social Sciences Library, I find the stairwell overwhelming at times with student traffic flow.  I have asked if I can use the fire stairwell as this is quieter and away from noise which causes me sensory issues.  I am able to do this which helps.  Apart from this, I am also in touch with www.autismworks.co.uk and have found out from Chris Mitchell that their location has moved.  They are now on the same street but a bit further down in new premises.  I just hope things are looking good for Autism Works.   

Please stay tuned for further updates. 

Aspergers Syndrome and work

As an Aspie learning new skills in a workplace is often a challenge.  Not only does it require vast amounts of mental energy but also I find myself asking a lot of questions.  Learning new duties is almost like clockwork.  When doors need to be opened to let patrons into a library for instance. I literally find myself obsessing about whether I should let patrons in 1 min early or 1 minute late.  It can become literally an overkill when I overthink.  I constantly find myself checking for errors in what I do and added to this, I have to try and understand responses and communication from other work colleagues.

I enjoy the change I am now doing within my current role.  Not only am I learning new skills which are very few, but I realise how bad anxiety can be if I am asked to do too many things within a full day. When I worked several years ago and pushed very hard to work, I found myself sleepy and at times all I wanted to do was to lie down somewhere as my mental energy was just flushed.  In work, I find myself slowing down when expected to do multi tasking and I am trying to make sense of the work constraints around me.  Today I had a student ask me about a technical matter concerning engineering.  It is interesting to spot the undiagnosed Aspies in the Physics, Sciences and Engineering Library.  I have come face to face with some and it is almost with the slip of the tongue to say 'you're Aspie too!".  I thought today as I worked in the library that I wonder what it would be like to do a brain scan of all Maths Students compared to Arts Students to measure different cognitive functioning in their brains.  I also thought to myself 'why is it that I turn up to things way too early'.  To control anxiety I tend to start much earlier than expected when at work.  I hate being late and being late creates panic and shutdown for me.

As an Aspie, the work environment can be totally perplexing and overwhelming.  It is not always easy or more so impossible for me to do the simple duty of checking out books to patrons.  I find myself obsessing about whether I am doing things properly and when there is pressure placed on me, my mind and body try to shutdown.  I just don't handle stress that well at all.  When I was in the library today, I wondered what students thought of books. Do they read them?  Is what is found in them of interest considering it all relates to physics, maths etc.  There is a different writing style between prose and factual writing.  Perhaps more Aspies in Engineering because writing is more factual and an Aspie may have a hard time reading a suspence novel when literal interpretation implied.  Perhaps an Aspie can guess who the culprit is before the book has even ended?

It is interesting that Aspies get waves of cognitive energy.  Work environments unfortunately seem unable to accommodate waves of cognitive energy because a work environment is structured around a social context. More words and body language are conveyed and received than manual work perhaps.  To do manual work involves a means of getting around the social chit chat and Aspies are not great at it.  Have you wondered why there are more Aspies on Facebook chat and on computers than other demographics?  A simple thought to leave with you?  How can a work environment be structured to accommodate an Aspie?  Are current work environments the problem with the long held position of working 9-5.  Dolly Parton best sums it up in her song.  

Comment "I just don't understand the difference"

Yesterday I was talking to a friend on Facebook.  Within this discussion the friend more or less informed me that he did not understand me

"I'm not criticising. I'm just confused. It doesn't make any sense to me, but you don't have to explain yourself to me"


I informed the friend that he should not try and figure me out and more or less just accept the fact that I think differently and process information the same way also. Why is it that I have to conform to other people's expectations?  I think in all honesty that people on the Autism Spectrum have a different way of thinking and processing information and we pay the price either through ignorance, intolerance or in the worst instance bullying.  I believe future generations will one day regret the way that Autistic people have been treated within society.  First of all we should not be treated in a condescending manner as we are not children nor are we stupid!  Secondly people have to get it out of their heads that Autistic people lack empathy.  We just show empathy in different ways.  We don't always need to be comforted in times of distress but we need people to talk to when our emotions exhibit themselves in different ways.  

 For some reason non Autistic people become defensive if you more or less try and explain things to them.  I really cannot understand the 'reactive' approach more so than the more 'tolerant' one.  I do not think it is anyone's business how I live my private life but in 'nosey parker' Australia, people seem to become obsessed with people's private lives and I think in all honesty it depicts a display of small mindedness.  I feel at times that people see me as deluded and I am supposed to 'break out of it' and 'get a lighter side'.  Do they not realise how extremely difficult and merely impossible this is if you have Autism?  For a start, the Autism Spectrum is an impairment in two way interaction and secondly most of us have extreme difficulty in keeping up socially.  We use mental energy constantly which non Autistic people have more so automatically.

I received a comment some years back "mate what is your problem" when I had difficulty in not being able to communicate sufficiently with the other person.  I felt like saying in response "I think you are the one with the problem, trying listening to what I have to say and then you may understand it!".  You reach a point that no matter what words that come from your mouth you are going to offend someone.  If you talk too much about your special interests you are told you are obsessed, if you speak your mind you offend, and if you try to engage in conversation you more or less so sit on the outer and gradually internalise and feel uncomfortable to find an excuse to leave.  This in itself is difficult when surrounded by a lack of awareness.

I do believe that people on the Autism Spectrum process information differently.  More research is required to back this up of course but much work is happening in terms of brain scanning and other techniques.  One of the realities with some Autistic People is that we expect everyone to be as passionately interested in things we are interested in.  Sometimes our interests may offend others.  We don't often understand the social queues or conventions required and sadly can offend without knowing it.  Non Autistic people seem to operate more within boundaries and conventions whereas persons with Autism are largely or totally unconventional.  We could walk in front of a crowd of people and think everyone is looking at us or we may say things that are considered socially inappropriate.  A bit like the scene in "My Fair Lady" to where Elissa Dolittle spoke her mind and blunders small talk and at the horse at the horse race.

In conclusion there needs to be a common ground for both Autistic and Non Autistic people.  The world cannot be all one way but currently it seems to be Non Autistic and those of us with Autism live in a world which largely does not understand our different ways of thinking and behaving.  This can only be overcome by providing more awareness and more importantly understanding.  The Autism Spectrum has to be understood as a different way of thinking and processing information.  As I stated earlier more research is required and the sooner the better.  I would encourage as many people as possible to visit the University of Pittsburgh website to find out the latest research into Autism.  

Autistic Communication Devices

As people are not always aware of how to deal with persons who are on the Autism Spectrum, sadly sometimes people can be treated in a condescending way.  It is a bit like being treated as if you are stupid or somehow unable to think for yourself etc.  Persons with Autism are not stupid and we just think differently than do others.  Just because we think, socialise and process information differently does not mean that we are incapable of thinking at all.  People need to understand this in order to understand us better.

At the Asperger Services Australia Conference I was pleased to see that now Information Technology Equipment is now available for persons on the Autism Spectrum.  Whereas before it was believed that a person with Autism was unable to speak, the use of a communication device has made things different.  Once again people now realise that persons with Autism can think but it is just a matter of how they do so.  Ipads and other communication devices have opened many doors to allow more effective communication for those unable to use conventional means. 

Persons on the Autism Spectrum often find communication exhausting and I think that those of us on the higher functioning end, despite being able to communicate struggle and find it mentally taxing for long periods.  This effects us in employment for the very few of us who have employment or within social situations.  It is encouraging to see older Autistic adults now involved in helping younger Autistic people in creating such devices and communication applications for Ipods, Iphones etc.  This has made people understand that Autistic people no longer exist in a world of silence and nor should they. 

As the world is exposed to more and more Autism, people need to come to terms with accepting and understanding that Autism is a reality.  Not only does it exist in children but adults also.  Communication devices have opened many doors and it is great to see that communication is now more possible.  Wouldn't it be good to see persons who find the means of communication difficult able to communicate? 

On browsing Facebook I noticed this organisation Autistic Smiles and I have tried to make contact with them. I notice that there are few Autistic Adults now directly involved with the creation of such communication devices for Autistic people.  Surely other countries can come on board with this?  We need to see a bridge of communication between Autistic and Non Autistic People.  It would be good to see such devices and applications in schools, universities, workplaces and in the wider community.  Many doors will open. 

Meeting today with Gordon Sanderson

This afternoon I met with Gordon Sanderson who has a son on the Autism Spectrum about ways adults with Autism can be employed.  Gordon asked me several questions about how I handle employment and more specifically of whether adults on the Autism Spectrum can hold down a job.  I expressed a great deal of interest in helping Gordon to find ways of assisting employers to better understand Autistic Adults and to give them a chance in employment.

One of the biggest challenges in employment is the shear amount of mental energy required in order to get through the working day.  Added to this are also the performace and direction issues.  I would like to be able to assist adults in finding employment and holding down a job but more importantly see the creation of "Aspie Friendly" employment which allows adults a real chance in employment.

I have been contacted by the ANZTB (Australian and New Zealand Software Testing Board) and I hope to present to some software testing authority people in Brisbane on Tuesday 3rd April 2012.  We really need to get the ball rolling in Brisbane and more importantly in this part of the world.  I will provide updates when they come to hand.

This weekend I will be visiting Murwullimbah and meeting with adults on the Autism Spectrum at Cabrita Beach in northern New South Wales.  I have also been in touch with a young adult interested in Science and Engineering in this region.  So things are moving a long nicely.

I am wanting to start a skype group for Aspies.  What we need to do is have an informal roster of adults taking turns in hosting a skype conference or perhaps a once a month touching base.  This I intend to look into.  On another front I will be learning new duties in another branch of the University Of Queensland Library, so things are going well there also.

More and more adults are starting to connect and this is truly magnificent.  More updates soon.  On the cards is support for an adult meeting room to discuss issues such as employment, support for managing finances and other issues.  

Letter Proposal to Canberra

Dear Canberra MP

I am an adult on the Autism Spectrum in Brisbane, Australia.  The Autism Spectrum is becoming a world wide reality with more adults being diagnosed as being on the Autism Spectrum as we speak.

Recently statistical information was provided from Mr John Greally an adult on the Autism Spectrum from New Zealand as to the exact number of persons on the Autism Spectrum worldwide.  John arrived at the following information

"Based on the sounder SNAP project Revision 2 (2009, Baird et al) figure of 1:92
and 7,023,219,161 (World Population Clock, today)
I get 76,339,339 people with an ASD
(Kanner's+CDD+HFA+Asperger's+PDD-NOS, not Rett Synd anymore).
- Turkey or Iran or Egypt have roughly that number of people!
- ASD represents around 7.5 to 8% of all world-wide disabilities (15.6% of humans alive approximately have a disability) and about 15% of childhood disabilities!
- ASD is equal in numbers to Multiple Sclerosis (0.15% of world pop) plus Alzheimer’s (0.4%) plus Blindness (0.6%)!
- ASD attracts about 1/14th as much government funding as those conditions per individual affected.
- About 6/7ths of Autism is Asperger's Syndrome or PDD-NOS.
- Between 1 in 4.5 and 1 in 5.8 people with Autism are female".


As you can see Autism is a world wide reality.  Recently a story was aired on "A Current Affair' about Ricky Stuart a Rugby League Player here in Australia who has a daugher Emma with Autism.  This story revealed that there are many families aching for support and change not only in Australia but world wide for governments to become better aware of the Autism Spectrum.  We want action and something to be done.  The National Disability Insurance Scheme referred to simply as the NDIS seems to be hitting a snag.  Quite simply nothing seems to be happening and Australia has scored very poorly in terms of disability ranking worlwide scoring 27th as an OECD country.  The bottom of the list.  Something needs to be done and fast!

It seems that political parties are ignoring Autism but I have been pleased to note that the Liberal National Party here in Queensland has supported my advocacy work by listening.  The local candidate has put me in touch with the Liberal National Party Headquarters here in Brisbane and I have spoken to them about my concerns and the many people who so desperately want government to listen.  In all honesty I have heard nothing from the Australian Labor Party and I advocate as best I can to get my voice heard.

I have heard that Tony Abbott will support the National Disability Insurance Scheme but only when the budget has been balanced.  Is there any chance that the coalition could clarify its position on the NDIS and whether or not it or all major political parties in Canberra will support a combined effort to get something done?!  Currently the NDIS is simply stagnating and people want and demand action.  

We can only hope that things improve for disability soon as all disability sectors are not getting the support which they require.  People with disabilities should no longer remain as second rate citizens and I frankly do not care what critics may voice in relation to this post but there are people who could be better off than they are at present.  We need political parties to listen in Canberra and something urgent needs to happen with the NDIS now and not 5 years.  I participated in the Productivity Commission and I for one would like to see changes happen.  I urge all Australians at the upcoming federal election to approach their local candidate s and ask them what is Canberra going to do about the NDIS in Australia. Also should a party be formed for Australia called the "Autism Action Party".  I am in consultation with some adults on the Autism Spectrum in New Zealand who are also lobbying very hard to make changes in Wellington, New Zealand.

Let us strive for more acceptance, understanding and change

Kind and warm regards

Garry Burge
www.garryburge.com 

Feeling I am at a dead end

I really enjoyed attending the Asperger Services Australia Conference between Thursday 16th to Saturday 18th February 2012 hosted by Asperger Services Australia Not only did it provide adults with a chance to meet each other but it also enabled an opportunity of not feeling alone being an Aspie. 

I feel at a loss currently because I am in a job which does not utilise my skills and abilities.  I have become so disillusioned with employment as there just seems to be too many obstacles that get in the way of making satisfaction and stimulation possible.  I have reached the point of desperation in that I want to do something for people with Autism.  I really do not know exactly but I am going to look into possibilities.  I am sick of nothing being done for people on the Autism Spectrum and enough is enough.  Services are needed and employment support also.  This afternoon I am meeting with another Aspie in Brisbane to look into options and on Thursday I am going to have a meeting with an employment consultant.  I just feel I am not understood and the tentacles of conformity yet abound.  People need to understand more and it saddens me that not enough is being done.

Recently I heard back from the Kenmore Baptist Church and it is through them that I hope to broaden my social circle.  I am currently spending a great deal of time sitting in front of a computer when I know that being more around people in terms of overcoming social isolation is necessary.  I will try my best.  

Last night I watched a story on "A Current Affair"  called "Fighting Autism" I would like to get in touch with the persons concerned in this story as like many families who are aware of Autism they should not be 'fighting' Autism but more so accepting it.  What people do not understand is that Autism is reality and people have to stop pretending it is not evident nor exists in society.   In the story the Rugby League Player - Ricky Stuart and his wife discussed their daughter Emma who is 14 and has Autism.  What is sad for them as parents is that Emma does not called her parents mum and dad.  One of the realities of Autism is that often empathy is shown and expressed in different ways.  When I hear of families affected by Autism it makes me wonder about the many families around the world who come into contact with Autism.  It is a reality and more needs to be done I believe.

As an adult on the Autism Spectrum I feel as though I am pioneering and also battling.  It is hard when people think that just because you look like everyone else that you think like them also.  Holding down a job for me is a day to day challenge and I am overwhelmed largely by the social component.  I feel that trying to establish a so called career path is exhausting and furthermore trying to find a social circle outside of working is impossible.  I am 40 this year and I still live with my aged parents.  They are in their early 70's and are anxious a lot about what will happen to me after they pass on.  I don't even know myself what will happen to me and at times I feel so overwhelmed by life that I literally think the worst thing is that I would have to live inside a cardboard box.  I also have been depressed by a book retailer asking me for a refund of two books they ordered.  Why do people behave like this?  Surely having the two books is not going to hurt them and they can find another library who wants them? 

I often find that people try and hold me accountable for things I mostly do not understand and then when I do not understand then I am criticized.  It is truly sad that for persons on the Autism Spectrum that being so very kind as we usually are that people treat us with contempt or often are hostile towards us.  I wonder why this is so?  At times I feel alone and I wonder what purpose there is in life with the lack of implementation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme here in Australia.  There are no services or you have to have a lot of money to pay for them and still the majority of people do not understand!  I hope soon things improve and that I no longer feel like I am at a dead end in my life.  Maybe other people can relate to what I am talking about? All I can do is try and remain optimistic. 

Re-introducing the Legislative Council in Queensland

Queensland has always been governed differently to the rest of the Australia.  This mainly being that Queensland does not have a Legislative Council (Upper House).  This chamber was abolished in 1922 and ever since then it seems that politics in Queensland has functioned as a unicameral state.

However, I wonder whether the Legislative Council should be re-introduced  into Queensland?  An upper house acts as a house of review and also ensures checks and balances.  It seems that throughout Queensland politics that governments and more so premiers have accrued a lot of power.  This creating a one party state system.  Quite simply legislation is introduced into the parliament, then sent to Governor for Royal Ascent. However, is it being reviewed and should an Upper House be the means of carefully checking legislation and debating it more before it goes for Royal Ascent?  Current governments have set up endless committees which actually cost more than a chamber itself in reviewing legislation.

When the Queensland Legislative Council did exist, MLC (Members of the Legislative Council) were appointed more so than elected. Unfortunately clashes and gridlocks occurred between both the chambers which frustrated Labor Governments which more so wanted the Legislative Council gone.  I tend to think that an upper house is required because I think state premiers just accrue too much power and there just seems to be no accountability.  The re-introduction of the Legislative Council from what I understand only requires and act of parliament.  Referendums were conducted after the chamber's abolition which were voted against but people seem to be reluctant to accept that the Westminster System requires a bicameral system.  One without the other is a bit like having the horse without the cart as both are required to allow for smooth operation.

I believe that Queensland needs to reintroduce the Legislative Council because accountability and good government seems to be lacking.  No accountability means that legislation is not being debated and reviewed properly for when it is signed off as law.  You have to ask yourself are the affairs of government being executed properly and is a one party state a healthy means of government?  In all Australian states except Queensland there is a Legislative Council.  Queensland politics seems to have taken a different course without an upper house which some may argue means less interference and better governance?  But does it really?  What are the pros and cons of not having an upper house in Queensland?  Given the size of the state is adequate representation occurring?  Here is some reading which may introduce you concerning the abolition of the Queensland Legislative Council in 1922.  

Asperger Services Australia Conference

As most if not all people are aware the Conference "Living side by side, connecting with people on the Autism Spectrum" occurred in Brisbane, Australia between Thursday 16th February to Saturday 18th February.  More information about the conference can be found by visiting www.asperger.asn.au

I found the conference very informative and I have been asked to provide the slide presenatation which accompanying my presentation "Navigating the World from Employment and Advocacy".  I am happy to do this upon request.

What I found interesting about the conference was that it provided a platform for adults on the Autism Spectrum to give their voice to the audience present.  Adults came from across Australia and New Zealand to speak.

The conferences I attended were as follows

Day One - Thursday 16th February 2012

My own presentation above mentioned

Damian Santomauro - Researching Battles

Kelly-Ann Van Setten - Learning Patterns for University Students with Asperger's

Leith McMurray & Gabrielle Hogg - Aspies and the Social Media

Day Two - Friday 17th February 2012

Anthony Julian - The Last 25 Years

Kat Stork-Brett - Sex, sexuality, and gender identity in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Kristen Veltmeyer - Label This: Aspergers, Success and My Journey

Day Three - Saturday 18th February 2012

Gabrielle Hogg - Living with ASD and the Biomecial Journey

Leith McMurray - Workplace Rejection

Angus Gray & Dr Gilbert Bond - School Refusal and Home Schooling

Brayton & Emma Tomlinson - Living With Aspergers

Conclusion

On attending all the sessions, they all provided an important perspective into the varying degrees of the Autism Spectrum.  Of importance was the presentation referring to sexuality.  Many Asperger Men find relationships extremely difficult and the research from Kat Stork-Brett highlighed important research being undertaken.  Other presenations provided personal experiences from adults in their day to day lives from all different ages and shared experiences.

I feel that out of the conference a greater awareness is required in understanding the Autism Spectrum.  The world cannot obviously be all "Aspie" but neither should it exist as all NT (Neuro Typical).  There needs to be a common ground and better understanding.  More importantly is the need for services for adults and a fast tracking of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.   I think personally it is great to see both Australia and New Zealand working together in connecting with each other and linking to the rest of the world.

I had the opportunity to ask many questions.  On my mind was whether or not RANZCP should provide more support in therapy more so than medication?  I also asked adults of their own experiences and whether or not services for adults should receive greater attention and funding.  Although all persons on the Autism Spectrum are different, I do not expect my questions to be the same nor do I think that amongst the Autism Community there should be segregation from those who may think or act differently to others that are also Autistic.

For anyone interested Asperger Services Australia  filmed the entire proceedings and more information can be found by contacting them.  Asperger Services Australia was also fortunate to have received $5000 from Colonial Mutual which I understand funded the event.  For more information I would encourage you to contact Stefanie Evans Director of Asperger Services Australia who can answer your questions more succinctly.

I hope to see out of the conference a better understanding and awareness of the Autism Spectrum.  We need the Autism Spectrum to be better accepted and understood more so than remaining in darkness and ignorance.  I hope over the coming months that more support will be made available and more barriers can be broken down.  It was comforting to know that Autism Works was better known and hoepfully soon it may even start in Australia?

I enjoyed the conference overall and I hope that I have helped to enlighten the wider world more.

Kind regards

Garry Burge

www.garryburge.com

Sometimes I feel like yelling but I know I can't

Sometimes I find that I am absolutely frustrated with life.  I just cannot understand why people do not get those of us that think and act differently.  Although I look like everyone else, I just find that when I react to certain situations differently or process information in a way that other people do not understand, then I am somehow to blame or are responsible.

Having Asperger Syndrome is just a different way of thinking.  People cannot understand when you think and act differenty to them and for some reason they have to be dismissive or in some instances even nasty to you.  I may look like other people but I am struggling to find the help that I need.  Finding friendships and more importantly looking for or finding relationships is for me more so traumatic rather than happy.  I don't know at times how I am supposed to think and act in certain situations and when people expect me to think or act in a way they feel appropriate, I just feel like on some rare ocassions like yelling.  Although yelling is not a practical way to go about things, it is frustrating when people just do not get it.  How I see and interpret something is compeletely different in how they do.

I received a letter recently or more so an email indicating a delay in the National Disabilty Insurance Scheme.  I really do not know why this is happening as there are so many people including myself that need greater support.  I currently live with my elderly parents and cannot afford to live independently as the rental market makes this impossible.  I do not want to be dumped into a house commission situation but people just don't seem to understand AS.  Although they say that they cannot see anything wrong with me, I fail to understand that once this observation is made that they feel it appropriate to reject or instead make comments which in themselves can be very hurtful.  People think Aspies do not have feelings and often we are castigated for hurting other people but when our own feelings are hurt, then people just don't want to listen or use some reasoning that all people think like this other than those of us who are Aspie.

I find myself largely in social isolation.  I find I am talking to myself more than I am with other people and quite simply people just either don't want to get involved or want to bother with me.  If this is the case then what am I supposed to do apart from living on the fringes of society?  I will try my best to speak about advocacy work at the upcoming presentation hosted by Asperger Services Australia and people can also watch my youtube channel.  I am on Facebook also under Garry Burge.  More needs to be done and we need to get the message out there!