LACK OF SUPPORT FOR HAVING ASPERGER SYNDROME

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I am living in the UK. I live 30 miles from London. I got through secondary school, undergradute degree and I have a Postgraduate qualification (PGDip). I had a very bad diagnosis more than 3 years after graduation. I was very unhappy in my private school. I could not learn communication skills and social interaction so I was left marginalised, I was often the only non-white person in the class I am a Muslim, it was for upper middle class, my parents are strict, my parents had only 1 family visiting and my parents did not get along well. I do not have elder relatives except my parents. I suffer from anxiety and depression. My asperger syndrome is very mild and I generally cannot talk to people with asperger syndrome. I am given very little chance to express myself and get individual support. Is it because my asperger syndrome is very mild, I am a graduate, I want to do highly skilled work or it is late beyond education. People who have mild asperger syndrome in my county get support in employment at least.
I cannot do Prospects in London because the county council have no money for me. I work for 13 weeks in a financial software house in the City. I have done a placement in a web development company. I have done other freelancing and voluntary work in IT. I have done, http://www.assists.org.uk. I have done Maths tutoring, carer, telesales, data entry,administration , class room assistant etc. I am currently studying professional exams to become a data analyst. I am also temping as a telemarketer in a call centre - been there for 9.5 months.
The graduate job market is congested with loads of graduates. In London there is plenty more vacancies, opportunities and support. I would have to commute to London. IT jobs are being sent to India and China. Engineering job are being lost as well. They say 20% - 25% of aspergers grads are in full time employment. I think 5% - 15% of all aspergers grads are in professional/managerial full time employment more like 5% - 10%.
The problem is that I had a late diagnosis with very little appropriate support. I do not need any suppprt when in work just positive encouragement.
I still get interviews. I am applying mainly in the public sector, can I work in the private sector. I have trouble with "cllient facing" roles. I would rather just do the job in house. I could never pass assessment centres with companies like Unilever, Tesco and Prudential. I want to achieve my potential. People with autistic charities just want to a Mc - Job. I do not want to declare my AS because people think I cannot socialise and communicate, the only thing is I take longer to express my thoughts. What do you think?

You sound alot like me...I was diagnosed as an adult after a childhood of misdiagnoses and mistreatment. There is very little
support, if any, for us adults ...as Asperger's Syndrome has only been recognized by the psychiatric profession as of 1994. All
treatment and support is directed toward preschoolers and children...at least where I live.

I was even told when I was finally correctly diagnosed last February, 2007 that because I have "mild" AS, do not expect to find
any real support for adults with AS...it doesn't exist. I am in the process of starting a GRASP chapter for adults in my hometown
as there is a large residential and treatment facility for children with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome...and mental health professionals seem to ignore the fact that children don't remain children forever.

Because of the limited support for adults with AS, it is important to stay positive and try to become proactive in making changes
in your world as best as you can.

Here's a laugh... I live in a town that specializes in Autism help... for kids. I approach as an adult and they give me a blank stare... "Well... how do you expect us to US to help??"

Thanks, guys.

I guess we Aspie adults (mild or moderate) need to just find our own way in life... find our niche.

I'm sorry you feel like that Aladdin. Maybe if you send me a pm I could maybe cheer you up.

Typical. So typical.

Where you are, there is little to no support in the job industry, which justifys my opening statement.