Autism and Employment

High Functioning Autism symptoms

Hi

For those of you on the Autistic spectrum do you also have problems with depression, anxiety and OCD?

I have found that so many people with Autism also suffer from mental health problems what are your experiences. But most mental health professionals do not have usable knowledge of Autism/Aspergers.

This makes me angry and frustrated!

Have a look at my video on this subject

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YoPQijfYyw


Thanks

How are services for people on the Autistic Spectrum where you live?

The great thing about blogs and the internet in general is that we are able to talk so easily with people across the world.

I am based in the UK and I have been really concerned about the lack of support given to people with Autism. I am a relatively high functioning Autistic person and I can honestly say that apart from when I had my official diagnosis I have never been offered any type of Autism specific therapy or counselling.

I was diagnosed with High Functioning Autism then thrown out into the world with this new knowledge and left to try and figure it all out by myself. I am a little angry about this if I'm honest.

I'm all for taking responsibility for oneself but it has only been through Google and other mostly online sources that I have been able to make any sense of how Autism has affected my life so far. I now try to pass on to others on the spectrum any pieces of information or insights I discover in order to help them. It seems that I have had to become my own expert on Autism.

GP's and other medical professionals in general seem not to be the people to ask for expert advice on Autism as they never seem to have any more than a very basic knowledge of the subject.

This is of course just my own experience but it seems to be fairly common amongst other people affected by Autism. Often I have heard from disgruntled and frustrated parents of Autistic children that they have nowhere to turn for advice and help.

Many times I speak to undiagnosed adults that do not have access to a Clinical Psychologist in order to be assessed or diagnosed.

So the question is....
How are the services for Autistic people in the country you live in. And are you satisfied as someone affected in some way by Autism?

Best wishes

Do you have High Functioning Autism/Aspergers Syndrome?

Do you have a "special interest" or obsession and spend so much time focusing on it that you become very skilled and knowledgeable on that particular subject?
Well why not see if you could turn that interest into a career as I did.

I was obsessed with music, playing guitar and writing songs from the age of 12. Luckily I had a natural ability and to this day I make at least a part of my living out of this obsession.

But for others on the Autistic Spectrum they may be obsessed with computers, history, mathematics or anything really. Perhaps parents, carers and those that are personally able to could explore the possibility of harnessing that interest into a career.

Software testing and computer related jobs that call for attention to fine detail are a particular area that are suitable to many on the Autistic Spectrum.

Others on the Autistic Spectrum have a great flare for art, design, music, photography and other creative fields.

Of course not everyone that has Autism displays an obvious "useful" obsession or a specific talent. But it may be that people who fall into this category have just not yet come across an activity they could become skilled in.

Hi
I am an adult with High Functioning Autism.
I am a Musician, Composer, Photographer and Video maker.
I also work as a film tutor to groups of adults and children on the Autistic Spectrum.

Through my writing and my You Tube videos I do my best to create awareness around the
subject of Autism especially in adults that have been undiagnosed or recently diagnosed
and till now have spent their life wondering why life had always been so difficult...lets talk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqaY_nCUNDk