PEOPLE WITH AUTISM
One of the most significant developments in the field in the past twenty years has been the opportunity for people diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder to tell the rest of us what it means.
The world wide web has opened up amazing opportunities for people with an Autism Spectrum Disorder to connect with each other.
Autism Spectrum Disorder
The following people are just a few of many who have written and spoken widely of their personal experience with Autism Spectrum Disorder:
- Temple Grandin - www.templegrandin.com
- Donna Williams - www.donnawilliams.net
- Wendy Lawson - www.mugsy.org/wendy
However, the availability of competent and sensitive support services for adults with an Autism Spectrum Disorder is poor. In Victoria, access to government services is often restricted to those who also have an intellectual disability.
If you are an adult with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, or suspect that you may have Autism or Asperger Syndrome, you will want to know
- How to get a diagnosis
- Where to get professional services such as counselling
- What are the best web sites (see below)
- Where to learn more about Autism Spectrum Disorders
A group of Victorians have established a network for adults with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, and are progressively developing a range of activities. Called Auties.org, they have developed a website to promote your skills and services (www.auties.org) and Autism friendly dinner clubs and activity groups with different organisers to contact for each. Please feel free to check with the organisers of each group to see if their activities suit you.
The Dinner Clubs meet once a month at quiet, low key and affordable restaurants. As membership grows, it is hoped that the dinner clubs will expand to take in a wider range of Melbourne locations. There is an events calendar on the website where you can find details of the different events and also a mailing list you can get on to be kept informed of where the dinners are going to be located.
Auties.org is also a web based information exchange on which you post details of your skills and services. Individuals and Companies looking for specific skills should check this site as there are many very talented people with an Autism Spectrum Disorder who would love to be able to help you.
Another social group has been established in Bendigo by Tristan Jones (tristanjones54@hotmail.com). They have a website and arrange leisure activities.
This online gallery displays the art of six people who live, work and play in a Autstralia's High Country. These artists have an added challenge -they all have Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Useful Web Sites
Here are some useful web sites for adults with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.
http://www.aspergia.com
This site is a Discussion Board and Chatroom for those with Asperger Syndrome and their Parents/Carers. It takes a unique approach in that it believes Asperger Syndrome is not a disability.
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~rbmitch/Asperger.htm
This is an Australian Asperger Syndrome Information Centre designed for everyone involved in the Asperger field (including those with Asperger Syndrome, parents and professionals).
http://maapservices.org
This group is committed to providing up-to-date and comprehensive information on social and communication disorders, with particular focus on Asperger Syndrome and Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NLD). Based in the United States.
http://www.angelfire.com/in/AspergerArtforms
A look at the life of an autistic man with qualifications in mathematics, physics, psychology and teaching - and a condition that handicaps him quite severely. He lives in the UK.
http://www.angelfire.com/journal2/asperger
Personal experiences from a lady living in New Zealand (originally from the US).
This UK site has been developed by Steven McGuinness and features information about asperger/savant syndrome and autistic spectrum related disorders.