February 2012 Newsletter
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Neurodiversity is about how our brains process information and how we think, as we can be wired differently. This includes concentration, language, sound, images, light, texture, colour, touch, smell, taste, perception, sequencing and movement. One major neuro-diverse type is listed below
An Autism Spectrum Disorder varies from person to person. Fundamentally it means that there is a weakness of understanding in the following areas:
Social Communication - How they talk with people and are very literal, not understanding jokes, lack understanding when to start or end a conversation and not knowing what to talk about.
Social Interaction – find it hard to make and maintain friendships, lacks understanding of social rules, can find others confusing and unpredictable, they may have inappropriate behaviours and manners.
Social Imagination – How they deal with situations, their understanding of others feelings, facial expression, body language, thoughts and actions, they find it hard to predict what going to happen next.
It’s estimated over 500,000 people in the UK have Autism or Asperger Syndrome.
The one thing that could be said about people who have ASD is that they have a unique view of the world around them, which can be a good thing. Many have their own specialist interest which they can have a high level of knowledge about. They can also be creative, have good visual skills, have good technical skills and have a high attention to detail.
No matter how intelligent men and women are they can still feel misunderstood and vulnerable.
Facts:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is not a mental illness. It is a developmental disorder and associated with learning difficulties.
- Some people think you can catch it, you cannot. There is a genetic connection.
- Individuals may have more than one neuro-diversity, as they overlap each other.
- One third of adults in the UK with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are currently without employment or access to benefits. Only 15% have a full-time job. 79% of those on incapacity benefit want to work.
- Every Job Centre Plus office has a Disability Employment Adviser who specifically deals with people with health conditions. They don’t just help people find work, they also help people keep their jobs.
- In 1995, the UK passed the Disability Discrimination Act, making it illegal to deny people employment based on disability. Employers in the UK are required to anticipate and make "reasonable adjustments" for people with disabilities.
The above is about raising awareness in Lincolnshire and not intended as a medical document or advice. If you need any advice with regards to a medical or psychological problem, please contact your GP.
Please note that if you ever use Twitter or Facebook, please DO NOT give out any personal details or information about yourself, as CANadda will not be held responsible for anything that happens. Remember to use social networking sites wisely.
Contacts:
The National Autistic Society
393 City Road
London
EC1V 1NG
Switchboard: 020 7833 2299
Fax: 020 7833 9666
Email: nas@nas.org.uk
Web site: www.nas.org.uk
Autism Helpline: 0808 800 4104
Education Rights Service: 0808 800 4102
Parent-to-Parent Service: 0808 800 4106
Lincoln Autistic Society
Mrs J Corcoran
Secretary
Phone: 01775 821213
Email: janet.corcoran@talk21.com
PAACT Group
Secretary
Mandy Forsyth
4 Hatton Close
Hartsholme
Lincoln
LN6 0BG
Telephone: 01522 887101 (Nikki Kennedy)
Email: paact1@googlemail.com
GAIN
Belton Lane Childrens & Community Centre
Princess Drive
Grantham
Chairman: Chris Barrs
Telephone: 01400 273143
Email: mailus@gain-grantham.co.uk
Website: www.gain-grantham.co.uk
Autism Care (UK) Limited
Heath Farm
Heath Road
Scopwick
Lincolnshire
LN4 3JD
Telephone: 01526 322444
Fax: 01526 323600
Autism Anglia
Telephone: 01206 577678
Email: info@autism-anglia.org.uk
Website: www.autism-anglia.org.uk
Useful Links:
- If you are undiagnosed with ASD, you can get an initial test on line. This test is not a diagnosis but it is FREE of charge, www.wired.com/wired/archive/9.12/aqtest.html
- Wrong Planet Autism and Aspergers: www.wrongplanet.net
- Autism Forum: www.asd-forum.org.uk
- The National Autistic Society - a national charity that champions the interests of people with autism.
- Aspie Quiz. Please note that this quiz is not a diagnosis, it only provides an indication of autism spectrum traits in adults. For a diagnosis, you should always seek advice from a professional.
- Doctors are failing to spot Aspergers in girls
- DAsperger’s Syndrome in Women & Girls - Dr Tony Attwood
- www.oaasis.co.uk/home - A resource for parents & professionals caring for children and young people with Autism / Asperger Syndrome and other learning disabilities.
- www.mugsy.org/infosheets.pdf - List of useful information sheets and leaflets that are available from the National Autistic Society. This is a PDF download.
Famous People with Autism
www.child-autism-parent-cafe.com/famous-people-with-autism.html
Employment Related information
Message Board regarding medical assessments for Employment Support Allowance. This thread also contains other useful web links.
www.asd-forum.org.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=24468
Further Information
Autism Help: www.autismhelp.info
FREE BOOK
Coping: A survival Guide for People with Aspergers Syndrome.
Adapted from Segar, M. (1997).
Ravenshead: Noraca Publications.
To download for free go to: www-users.cs.york.ac.uk/~alistair/survival/
Managing Money
The National Autistic Society has teamed up with the Consumer Financial Education Body (CFEB) as part of the national strategy for financial capability to support people with autism in managing their personal finances.
Managing Money provides a new online resource, developed in consultation with people with autism, which gives impartial information, guidance, interactive quizzes and video content to help people develop their knowledge and confidence in managing money and financial decision-making. It can be used at home or in educational settings.
A free printed workbook called Managing Money: a guide for people on the autism spectrum is also available. It can be ordered or downloaded from www.autism.org.uk/products/free-resources/fsa-managing-money.aspx.
You can visit the Managing Money website at www.managingmoney.org.uk.
Self-advocacy booklet for adults on the autism spectrum
This self-advocacy booklet was developed by a group of adults on the autism spectrum and is designed to help you communicate your wishes and needs to the people you meet.
To download for free go to: www.autism.org.uk/living-with-autism/adults-with-autism-or-asperger-syndrome/self-advocacy.aspx
Click to download a poster on ASD.