Welcome Pack

Greetings... From an ex-NAS Member.

One of the best things about joining NAS was to recieve the Magazine "Aspergers United"... but, now, likely not, because this must be separately paid for, now.

The absolute best thing from NAS themselves, is the "Autism Alert" Card... hopefully you gained that, at least...?

Also from NAS, they send you Electronic versions of some sort of NAS Magazine... I cannot myself unsubscribe to this, because I cannot EMail them...

I discontinued my own NAS membership, yet stayed with AU, because, as said here, NAS and its magazines favoured very much the "Child and Family" aspect. AU is only quarterly, but is more like this Forum with regards to content.

I almost forgot to say... NAS will likely ask you to sell "Raffle Tickets" soon, and "Christmas Cards" come November. And inbetween ask you to buy lots of books, and to pay huge amounts of money (sometimes >£80) for conventions and perks and subscriptions and talks...

In closing: It is understandable that they must raise funds, but it is difficult to get them to understand that not all Autistic Adults are Rich and  Congenial and with Families.

Unknown said:

NAS, keep the contents inside, instead of using the envelope to proselytise.

Completely agree with you.

Thank you for the thread.

I had and have exactly the same problem.

I thought it would be a great idea to join. So, I joined.

I was upset when I received the Welcome Pack. All emblazoned with NAS pictures and logo, and the word "Welcome".

Plus, I receive the quarterly magazines. The same thing. The logos and pictures all over the place. The cover is not covered.

I thought and hoped that everything will be discreetly enveloped. But, it is not the case.

I would, actually, prefer to receive PDF copies of the magazines. I do not need the paper copies.

I, most likely, will not renew the subscription as nothing is discreetly enveloped.

I really understand the author.

I am also quite disappointed.

That's very interesting.  I feel like I'm wading in with my big size nines into an organisation where I don't know the ins and outs so this is all very helpful.

Out of interest I looked up the NAS on the Charity Commission website.

According to the website the charitable objects of the NAS are the development, delivery and promotion of the education, health, welfare care and support of people with autism and related conditions so I could argue that the NAS should be mainly for people with autism not their family and friends, although I accept that helping family and friends is a valid way of helping people with autism.

According to the website one of the old names of the society was the National Society for Autistic Children which ties in with what I have already said about the roots of the society.

Thanks, Taltunes.  I really appreciate you replying :)

I suspect also, although I don't know, that more of the NAS's members are family or friends than people on the spectrum and to some extent the society is merely reflecting it's membership. 

Just to clarify I am not saying that the NAS should exist more for family or friends of people on the spectrum than for people on the spectrum itself but I suspect that is the root / history of the society and it is how it appears to act some of the time.

I'm a bit surprised if the NAS is more for family or friends but I take your point.  But still, it just makes it an issue, when it's unnecessary.

NAS, keep the contents inside, instead of using the envelope to proselytise.

As I have posted in another thread the NAS arguably exists more for family or friends of people on the spectrum than for people on the spectrum itself so the pack could just mean to the postman that you had a family member or friend on the spectrum.

I am not saying this helps but it may explain NAS's lack of thought.