Hullo Neil!

I hope the following is useful for you and anybody else who is
reading this in the UK

I appreciate that you nominate....

www.nas.org.uk

....as a good link, so you probably know a lot about NAS (The
National Autistic Society) already.

The reason that there are so few services for adult aspies is that if
most of us are anything like me, we are rather a shy bunch and are
somewhat loathe to speak up. I am also locked in a lot of ridiculous
routines, so I never seem to get enough time to lobby parliament etc.

However NAS is getting much much better. If you have not joined them,
I would recommend you do so, or try to obtain a copy of their
magazine, "Communication".

You will see that they have an "All-party parliamentary-Group" on
Autism and are actively involved in helping with drafting the new
Disability Discrimination Act.

Astonishingly, the new Act currently fails to deal with those of us
with communication difficulties. NAS wants us to lobby our local
Members of Parliament. This is not too difficult to do these days as
most of them have e-mail and newsletter addresses that you can
contribute to. This applies to everyone in the UK who reads these
messages, so, get typing!

Try the following link....

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=159

....this page gives details of NAS's All Party Parliamentary Group on
Autism (APPGA)and also helps you to find the e-mail address of your
local MP.

NAS also has a very good service called "Prospects", a sort of
employment consultancy that deals with those of us with Asperger's
syndrome and high-functioning autism. Do not be put off by the
word "employment", they will help you with your social and
communication problems so that you can have a better chance
amongst "neuro typicals" without getting so stressed.

Contact your local Disability Employment Advisor who works in your
local job centre. He/She will refer you on to Prospects for the
training. If there are problems, then contact prospects as well.
They will give you leaflets and information which you can show to
your Disability Employment Advisor. This sounds like a hassle, but
believe me, it is worth it!

I have just been on a six week Prospects course in London and it has
really boosted my confidence and self-esteem. I am still very
much "Aspie" but I am proud of this and, in my opinion, if people
cannot handle this, then it is their loss and they are not worth
knowing. (oops! sorry for this forthright statement - hope that does
not seem too scary)

Finally, try the NAS helpline on 0870 600 85 85 (Operates 10:00 to
16:00hrs (4pm) to find out about local groups and services near to
your home.

There are lots out there all starting up; they may not be in yellow
pages or other directories, but if there is one, NAS will know about
it.

The helpline is also exceptionally good if you have a specific
problem. I usually have to write down the problem first before I
call them. You have to be patient as they might not be able to
answer it on the spot, they may refer you on to someone who is better
experienced to help. This may involve them taking your telephone
number and getting someone to call you back, but they ALWAYS get back
to you and it is worth the wait.

Sorry to go on at length, but there have been a couple of messages
like yours, Neil, and I thought this might help everyone to get the
help they need

Yours for aye, and...

HAPPY St. VALENTINE'S DAY, EVERBODY!

Jannie the farm Chicken.


--- In aspiesdugout@..., "Neil Burrows"
<neil_burr@y...> wrote:
> I am a 27 year old dysfunctional asperger syndrome diagnosed male
> who lives in Bedfordshire, UK. I am studying to be an accountant /
> bookkeeper.
>
> I hope no one minds, but if there are members in the UK on this
> group - maybe they would like to consider joining my
> group "aspiesforservices". The aim of the group is for people on the
> spectrum to support each other and perhaps eventually try to lobby
> and / or improve the practically non-existant services for people
> like ourselves in the UK.
>
> I hope that you are all well
>
> Best Wishes
>
> Neil Burrows