Why I am not renewing my NAS subscription

I have thought hard about this and have decided not to renew this years subscription for the following reasons:

1) Mendip House.  The abuse at a NAS care home has been described as on a par with that at Winterbourne View. Despite the CQC giving NAS a fine, I am still deeply uneasy about it. Especially, as I may need to assisted living/care in the future.

It also raises questions whether charities should arranged care services.

2) NAS seems more tilted towards neurotypicals than those with ASC.

For example Your Autism magazine, if indeed it arrives, is aimed at a NT’s.  I have not found one useful piece of info or help for those actually on the Spectrum. For their families and carers yes, not for me though.

The helpline has never answered a call I ever made.  And I made quite a few.  The online service was poor at best.

The Spectrum magazine is meh. 

The forum is ok, but I only use it now infrequently.

I have yet to use the social group service, mainly as it is 20 miles away at best. 40 miles round trip.

3) NAS seems to want to promote itself rather than us.  Oh look it’s our birthday, let’s sign up a celeb. But what really bought this home was the All party group on autism. I believe arranged by NAS. On their birthday do they want us to give evidence to the committee? No. Just experts.  Can we watch? Well there is very little room so book early. 

So I am sorry. I won’t renew my membership.

Parents
  • 2) NAS seems more tilted towards neurotypicals than those with ASC.

    The NAS is heavily biased towards parents and carers. There is very little input from adults with ASD when it comes to developing strategies and advice for children with ASD and their parents. Adults with ASD offer a wealth of knowledge for the next generation and the NAS is choosing to ignore this rather than capitalise on it. IMO this is one of the biggest defects of the NAS.

Reply
  • 2) NAS seems more tilted towards neurotypicals than those with ASC.

    The NAS is heavily biased towards parents and carers. There is very little input from adults with ASD when it comes to developing strategies and advice for children with ASD and their parents. Adults with ASD offer a wealth of knowledge for the next generation and the NAS is choosing to ignore this rather than capitalise on it. IMO this is one of the biggest defects of the NAS.

Children
  • Yes very much agree, we do have a unique understanding of a life living as an autistic.

    we are often the first to give real advice to many parents coming here to find answers. 

    Thank you.