Autism Awareness Month 2014 - Asperger adult concerns.

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Hello,

Just what support resources are most helpful for Asperger adults; a very underserved population?

Aspergers can be described as a "not disabled enough, yet not able enough 'never never land' of sorts" hence, finding (and even developing) supports in assisting Asperger adults with least restrictions to independence remains elusive.

One example of potential support resources may come from long-established non-profit agencies that have assisted people on the Autism Spectrum. Who are the professional services that contract-out with non-profits; that is the very professional services that also serve individual clientele?

Professional services that assist non-profits include fund-raising, event-planning, as well as the general day-to-day business of non-profits. The purpose here is to enlist professional service people who understand the individual needs of clientele with Aspergers.

Hence, advisors would assist Asperger adults face-to-face in navigating the negotiations and complexities of:

* auto purchases.
* rental or lease agreements.
* workplace issues.
* credit issues.

Autism Awareness Month 2014 must boost awareness as to how professional services can best serve their Asperger clientele. After all, what better way to develop awareness than through professional services that work with agencies involved with Autism and Aspergers?

Through my own life-experience (and likely that of many Asperger adults), those terrific neuro-typical people with even some understanding of the Autism Spectrum have been most helpful.

Any beneficial experiences with those people who are part advisors / part life-coaches?

Thank-you

I agree with assistance in the areas you mentioned. Now, there are incredible NTs', [ all of the donations for Authaven were from NT's] but I think that the type of help you mention would best be served by other Autistics with the neccesary skill sets and knowledge. The sad thing is that it is difficult to convince many Autistcs to get out there and do it. More than anything, I think the reason this is a problem is because of low self esteem among many Autistics.

There is something of an irony that I read part of the first sentance as 'Undeserved' rather than what had been typed, 'underserved' I have a t-shirt that reads, "I have an inferiority complex, but not a very good one!"

I agree with the 'not quite disabled enough' attitude. Just because I can hold down a job and interact, doesn't mean there isn't a profound cost to me in terms of my stress levels, anxiety and exhaustion at what others see as 'normal'.

I think the issue with universal resources is the individual nature of the spectrum. As an example, I have no desire to socialise outside of my partner and dogs, but many people on this forum talk about loneliness and isolation, so a drop-in social group would be great for them but useless to me. That said, I would be delighted if the establishment of such a group went on to help young people and adults to break their isolation and help build friendships or self-esteem. Some of the services you mention could be run as workshops there, but it would be pointless if it were run by a large corporate charity organisation. I would only attend such a thing if I felt the organisation was 'grass-roots' enough to see me as a person and not a potential revenue stream.

I don't want to sound like I am being negative, but I am sick of 'awareness' initiatives as they simply allow agencies to add a tag on their website, send out a few flyers to staff and then go, "well that's us sorted!" Not an attack on your post 'Here' just something that annoys the hell out of me! It isn't rocket science is it!

Davvo7,

To reassess the role of non-profits with experience in the Autism Spectrum; who hire that mix of both NTs and Asperger personnel to provide low-cost support services.

Any consideration for support services that act as both business, and life-coach advisors to assist savants who are talented in the arts, music or any other valuable marketable talents?

Here in the U.S., we have a news-magazine series '60 Minutes' - who've profiled people on the Autism Spectrum who have marketable talents; yet I cannot recall any specific mentions that '60 Minutes' stories have made on these advisors who assist those on the Autism Spectrum.

A few of the '60 Minutes' stories of savants with special talents have taken place in the UK. Any specific non-profits that would recommend advisors in the US?

As said in the original post; regarding my own life-experience (and likely that of many adults with Aspergers), those terrific NTs with even some understanding of the Autism Spectrum were with non-profits that enlisted both NTs, and staff with Autism Spectrum disorders; long before High-functioning Autism was understood.

Let's refrain from "throwing the (non-profit/terrific NT) baby out with the bathwater!"

Thank-you

From what I'm reading, I would guess that you've already contacted plenty of entities that support people on the Autistic spectrum, only to find that you're too high functioning for any of the programs you find.

I had the same problem, and eventually I gave up. If I need advice on the things you mentioned, buying a car, renting a place, etc. I ask a family member or a friend with more experience.

Saul3901, it might be best to enlist "third-party services" who are impartial; as family and friends are naturally not impartial/objective. Furthermore, family and friends might be "hard-pressed" to assist, or unable to assist for various reasons. With Aspergers, friendships can be daunting; hence it might not be possible to enlist friends.

REVIEW:

Some non-profits serving clientele with Autism-Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) enlist outside professional services for administrative operations, other non-profits handle administrative tasks in-house.

The objective here is have low-cost professional services (who also contract-out with non-profits concerned with the Autism Spectrum) assist Asperger clientele face-to face.

Best practices, advisors conducting consultations like any other professional service e.g, like going to tax-advisors. One good rule of thumb, NTs have difficulties understanding tax-codes. With Asperger adults, difficulties are understanding some of "life's codes!"

Hence, advisors would assist Asperger adults face-to-face in decoding:

* auto purchases.
* rental or lease agreements.
* workplace issues.
* credit issues.

Hence, specific recommendations for prof. services can come from meeting with key-people at reputable non-profits assisting people with (ASDs).

Thank-you

Just my opinion: I think it's because of what has been said above of being the individual nature of the spectrum, and also they might expect more of us to learn skills on our own because we are more "high functioning" individuals. Higher functioning is a double-edged sword.

The professional services I've discussed would be helpful for many NTs! It is wise to enlist trustworthy advisors to assist in understanding the complexities of negotiations, and paperwork necessary for so many transactions/agendas these days!

Without such services, even NTs get into that "tunnel-vision" or "letting emotions get in the way of rational decision making" - hence becoming "easy targets" for services that operate on "shady/fraudulent practices" e.g., those late-night commercials that claim to repair credit ratings, offering payday loans.

ADDENDUM TO PREVIOUS POST:

Anybody planning to attend and network at an Autism Awareness event? Many events have Autism walks, marathons, or only booths allowing the public to speak with those concerned with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). At more and more events, there are programs concerned with adults with ASDs.

Consider traveling to the nearest city; whose events may focus on Asperger awareness. e.g., Asperger adult concerns. Hence, opportunities to develop support, as well as enhancing awareness.

These events get mention in local news media; which generates it's own Internet media discussions. Boost awareness by continuing discussions.

What are your experiences at Autism/Asperger awareness events?

Thank-you

I have had the experience of being offered help, but the help was learning social skills. Rather than helping me to understand my condition they engaged in teaching me how to "pass." This to me is not helpful. Counselors that I have seen seem to think that being able to act NT means that I no longer have any problems. They just don't get it.

AMEN to that!! For what I've been offered as "services," I am far better off to look up "How to remember to pay your bills" or "How to buy a used car" or "How to shop for a house," and then not give a crap if I end up being less than perfectly polite (after all, tolerating less than perfect behavior is part of ANY job in service or sales, part of what you get paid for, and believe me I have eaten my share of it too).

If I can find "services" that help me optimize my functioning as myself, I'm all for it.

As long as "services" continue to focus on treating us as broken neurotypicals, who will be just fine in the world if we can be made "less abrasive," they can stick 'em up their collective asses. I'm through giving time and money to people just to remind me of the thousand ways in which I am broken.

Exactly. It's all about making the poor NTs more comfortable around us. They can get stuffed. I have every right to be who I am.

Let's reassess just what is meant by Asperger adult services. From what I discussed in one of the previous posts (SEE LINK), services are more like professional services; which have very little to do with counselors who are too often not of assistance.

LINK: http://www.wrongplanet.net/postp6005354 ... t=#6005354

Another concern here is that doubt and cynicism expressed in this Forum often becomes a "self fulfilling prophecy of sorts." Hence, many readers become discouraged; to a point where many people with Aspergers don't contribute to otherwise active discussions (on Forums such as WrongPlanet.net) regrading what helpful resources are appropriate for Asperger adults.

Let's reclaim the very specifics of just what are appropriate support services for Asperger adults, and refrain from sentiments implying that "nobody cares!"

Thank-you

ADDENDUM:

Has anybody achieved progress from Pragmatic Speech Therapists? It's considered best-practices for such speech-therapists to encourage self-advocacy.

I'm aware of one speech therapist who also advocates 'AngiesList' like listings of professional services who receive high-grades for being trustworthy, affordable, professional services that are understanding of Asperger adults.

Has ASAN advocated an 'AngiesList' listing of services favorable for Asperger adults? The term "Wingman" applies. After-all, even neuro-typical (NTs) people cannot always depend on self-advocacy; and hence need "that wing-man of sorts!"

thank-you