Is anyone here getting any help from NAS ?

I recently noticed this "debate" recently, and one other, and I thought I'd give my own perspective.  By the way, I am NOT an employee or a volunteer of the NAS, but a 36 year old male who was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome in 2011 aged 34, after experiencing another bout of depression and severe anxiety issues, which resulted in a meltdown at work.  (Thankfully, I have since returned to my full-time job.)  Anyway, here are my thoughts...

The National Austistic Society runs many different projects and schemes, some of which can be found on their website under the our services section www.autism.org.uk/our-services.aspx  They may indeed get 90% of their income from the Goverment and local authorities, and 10% of their income from supporters, but it is how they use that 90% which is most important, NOT where it comes from!  

Likewise, I could not care less whether the NAS Chief Executive's salary is £30,000 a year or £130,000 a year; if you want the best business brains, you have to pay good money in salaries to acquire them.  

Autism can vary in severity.  I, myself, have mild autism (i.e. so called Asperger) and have a college education, a full-time job, can read and write very well, can do basic maths, can draw better than average, etc.  However, I have an uncle who is more autistic than I, has learning disabilities, has required care from family or social services all his life and is now in a residental home.  Rightly, my Uncle's needs are more important than my own and therefore his care comes way before my own.  

Therefore, I do not begrudge the NAS and Social Services for prioritising their services to those most in need.  

Reading this topic and one other (community.autism.org.uk/.../nas-charity-or-business, I am of the opinion that anyone with Autism who can use a computer, type, spell, etc, to a reasonable standard, then in all probability,they are probably last in line for help from the NAS.  My own Uncle cannot even write or read, let alone use a computer!  

Also from my own experience (anxiety issues, meltdowns, anger management issues, etc), it seems to me that some people's autistic-related anxiety issues can manifest itself through anger and confrontation.  Therefore, I question whether some people criticising the NAS are letting their anxiety issues manifest as anger and are being somewhat unreasonable with the NAS.  

Even with its current levels of income, the NAS can only do so much and has to prioritise its services to those most in need.  Despite my having been diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome, I do have an education (up to NVQ level 3 in business administration), I do have very good reading and writing skills (GCSE B grade in English Language), I do have a full-time job (which pays me approx £19.000 per year before PAYE, NI and pension deductions), I do voluntary work for charity (a nature conversation charity), and I have many hobbies and interests (which includes going shopping on my own in London and going to music gigs on my own in London).  And therefore, I am not anywhere near first in line for assistance from the NAS, and rightly so!  Despite my mental health issues caused by Asperger, there are far more autistic people than I who need care and support.  

I am of the opinion that you cannot help someone who is not prepared to help themselves also.  Members who can use a computer, use the Internet, spell, read and write, research using Internet search engines, etc, are probably those in the least need of the services of the NAS.  (After all, there are some autistic people who cannot even talk, let alone use a computer!)  If you want support, then why not set up your own local support group?  There may be other members in your area who are crying out for such a support group, so why not band together and set up your own, with the help and support of the NAS?   

I am pleased to be a member of the NAS, as it allows me to receive their magazine, their Asperger newsletter, details of events, possibly join or form a local group, etc.  

(I apologise to the Mods if my posting has caused any offence.  However, I just wanted to add my two pennies worth to this forum discussion and no offence is intended.  And the views expressed are entirely my own.)

I recently noticed this "debate" recently, and one other, and I thought I'd give my own perspective.  By the way, I am NOT an employee or a volunteer of the NAS, but a 36 year old male who was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome in 2011 aged 34, after experiencing another bout of depression and severe anxiety issues, which resulted in a meltdown at work.  (Thankfully, I have since returned to my full-time job.)  Anyway, here are my thoughts...

The National Austistic Society runs many different projects and schemes, some of which can be found on their website under the our services section www.autism.org.uk/our-services.aspx  They may indeed get 90% of their income from the Goverment and local authorities, and 10% of their income from supporters, but it is how they use that 90% which is most important, NOT where it comes from!  

Likewise, I could not care less whether the NAS Chief Executive's salary is £30,000 a year or £130,000 a year; if you want the best business brains, you have to pay good money in salaries to acquire them.  

Autism can vary in severity.  I, myself, have mild autism (i.e. so called Asperger) and have a college education, a full-time job, can read and write very well, can do basic maths, can draw better than average, etc.  However, I have an uncle who is more autistic than I, has learning disabilities, has required care from family or social services all his life and is now in a residental home.  Rightly, my Uncle's needs are more important than my own and therefore his care comes way before my own.  

Therefore, I do not begrudge the NAS and Social Services for prioritising their services to those most in need.  

Reading this topic and one other (community.autism.org.uk/.../nas-charity-or-business, I am of the opinion that anyone with Autism who can use a computer, type, spell, etc, to a reasonable standard, then in all probability,they are probably last in line for help from the NAS.  My own Uncle cannot even write or read, let alone use a computer!  

Also from my own experience (anxiety issues, meltdowns, anger management issues, etc), it seems to me that some people's autistic-related anxiety issues can manifest itself through anger and confrontation.  Therefore, I question whether some people criticising the NAS are letting their anxiety issues manifest as anger and are being somewhat unreasonable with the NAS.  

Even with its current levels of income, the NAS can only do so much and has to prioritise its services to those most in need.  Despite my having been diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome, I do have an education (up to NVQ level 3 in business administration), I do have very good reading and writing skills (GCSE B grade in English Language), I do have a full-time job (which pays me approx £19.000 per year before PAYE, NI and pension deductions), I do voluntary work for charity (a nature conversation charity), and I have many hobbies and interests (which includes going shopping on my own in London and going to music gigs on my own in London).  And therefore, I am not anywhere near first in line for assistance from the NAS, and rightly so!  Despite my mental health issues caused by Asperger, there are far more autistic people than I who need care and support.  

I am of the opinion that you cannot help someone who is not prepared to help themselves also.  Members who can use a computer, use the Internet, spell, read and write, research using Internet search engines, etc, are probably those in the least need of the services of the NAS.  (After all, there are some autistic people who cannot even talk, let alone use a computer!)  If you want support, then why not set up your own local support group?  There may be other members in your area who are crying out for such a support group, so why not band together and set up your own, with the help and support of the NAS?   

I am pleased to be a member of the NAS, as it allows me to receive their magazine, their Asperger newsletter, details of events, possibly join or form a local group, etc.  

(I apologise to the Mods if my posting has caused any offence.  However, I just wanted to add my two pennies worth to this forum discussion and no offence is intended.  And the views expressed are entirely my own.)