NAS - A charity or a business ?

Arran said:

 

I have been doing this for years in organisations outside of the NAS where I achieve plenty of tangible and productive work leading to positive results. If I chose to work through the NAS then I would have wasted most of my time and effort fruitlessly battling with the senior officials and ordinary members who are clearly not interested in providing any useful or relevant services for people with high functioning Asperger syndrome because it doesn't fit in with their agenda.

For me I have been lucky to another external service which has expanded into the gap left by the NAS. So long-term,, the NAS shoot themselves in the foot. However, I don't like the deceit of the NAS lip service one way and the reality the other way and NAS get probably getting Government funding for Aspergers,, that is something I would like to find out more about ?

Easy@ herding cats,, love that statement, it is so funny on so many levels. Supposely cats can see angels. Cats grow into tigers and lions. Meow to roar !!!! purr..

Easy said:

That would be like herding cats.

Are we really going to form a big group, make a lot of noise,

go on long journeys to protest meetings in strange hostile places,

and support other people's point of view and plans ?

That may be how NTs would approach it, doesn't mean we have to.

We can all use computers, right? (that's self evident, what with us being on these forums)

So we can send emails.

How about letters?

How about finding people who can do all those things and who are willing to represent us?

There's more than one way to skin a cat.

Sitting at home going "I can't change anything because I'm Autistic" is not only defeatest, it's also wrong.

Arran said:

[quote]Then maybe we need to organize and coordinate our efforts instead of acting as powerless individuals![/quote]

I have been doing this for years in organisations outside of the NAS where I achieve plenty of tangible and productive work leading to positive results. If I chose to work through the NAS then I would have wasted most of my time and effort fruitlessly battling with the senior officials and ordinary members who are clearly not interested in providing any useful or relevant services for people with high functioning Asperger syndrome because it doesn't fit in with their agenda.

And that's great. But it only helps the people that you as an individual can help.

What about everyone else?

What about people that don't have people like you in their locality?

autismtwo said:

I approached the NAS in my area,, same response. They said they did not deal with the Aspergers side of Autism, I would need to approach my local council for sign posting elsewhere.

Are you being serious that the NAS has openly stated that they do not deal with AS? My own experience is that the NAS has jumped onto the Asperger bandwagon and promises much but delivers very little for people with Asperger syndrome.

Then maybe we need to organize and coordinate our efforts instead of acting as powerless individuals!

I have been doing this for years in organisations outside of the NAS where I achieve plenty of tangible and productive work leading to positive results. If I chose to work through the NAS then I would have wasted most of my time and effort fruitlessly battling with the senior officials and ordinary members who are clearly not interested in providing any useful or relevant services for people with high functioning Asperger syndrome because it doesn't fit in with their agenda.

That would be like herding cats.

Are we really going to form a big group, make a lot of noise,

go on long journeys to protest meetings in strange hostile places,

and support other people's point of view and plans ?

Then maybe we need to organize and coordinate our efforts instead of acting as powerless individuals!

ARRAN ditto..., HFA make great knowledge workers. I approached the NAS in my area,, same response. They said they did not deal with the Aspergers side of Autism, I would need to approach my local council for sign posting elsewhere.

I felt that I was just too much trouble for them,, I struggle socially but I have TOO MUCH LIFE FOR THEM..., aka,,, I can talk back !!!!  There is an obvious a higher funding side for them to pick out the severe cases of Autism and park the rest elsewhere, but they have the hub and core funding,, people with Aspergers are discriminated against. But Autism is Autism !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NAS could I have a response on this please.

Scorpion0x17 said:

There is one way to change this.

Become a member of the NAS, attend the AGMs, and push for change.

Easier said than done. Countless ordinary people have tried very hard to reform the NAS but there is just too much resilience in the system. Sometimes they reach a conclusion that they are trying to reform the unreformable so find that it is more productive and beneficial for them to start their own independent support group rather than battling with the senior executives.

Another problem with the NAS is that it is quite reluctant to accept input from adults with high functioning AS as it has traditionally been run by NT parents for children with traditional forms of autism. My local independent support group highly values my input and contributions but the local branch of the NAS is uninterested in me.

There is one way to change this.

Become a member of the NAS, attend the AGMs, and push for change.

Arran..., In 1800 it was wrote that to give the poor welfare would encourage them only to have more poor babies and make them idle not seeking out work. So the system was to make being poor so poor with poor house conditions that it discouraged the poor to be poor and idle and thus they would take up a low wage hands to mouth living at T'mill still being poor but not idle.

This poor country needs a peasant revolution because from a systemic jurasic position it is still the 1800's.

exactly right, if they gave all those tens of millions to dozens of separate organisations that actually spent the money on their objectives then more people would be getting help - but instead they give it all in one big chunk to NAS who squander most of it on 26 executive salaries, expensive offices, meetings and awards ceremonies etc etc Many of these organisations are surviving on less than a few thousand pounds but only until you see what they do with that money will you come to realise exactly how much NAS is squandering.

NAS priority is themselves, they have proved this by paying themselves ridiculous amounts of money - "He who cannot be trusted in small matters cannot be trusted in large ones either"

They cannot be trusted in the small matter of how much to pay themselves so how on earth can you trust them with the larger matter of how to spend over 90 million pounds.

NAS11521 said:

but many adults are equally desperate even if they have learned to cope and cover up.  Maybe what we need is an organisation specifically for us.

You are right but it all boils down to money, or more precisely, the lack of it.

The NAS receives millions from the government but indepedent AS support groups have to rely on meagre donations from the public. They rarely can afford to employ full time staff which badly hinders their progress. You just can't be a full time activist whilst holding down a 9 to 5 job. Benefits are getting stingier which means that fewer unemployed people will be able to devote their time to activism and charitable causes. The situation will worsen once Universal Credit is brought in and it will be impossible to stay on benefits for more than a few months. Quite a lot of work in the AS sphere is carried out by people on benefits and independent groups may have to close down if volunteers are forced to stack shelves in Tesco under 'workfare' schemes. The government doesn't care about the independent support groups. They are happy and content with the NAS because they know that it will be reluctant to bite them.

hohner said:

Zone-tripper, I believe you are using a bias lens,, London to London,, what about rest of the country,, the NAS does not exist in my area, the only service there which is council run is for Autistic children.

I also think you are very lucky that you can operate from the other side of the cusp, you views are a more mainstream view,, which is good for mainstream understanding,, not people with Adult Autism, who struggle on a day to day bias, without the structure or support mechanism, which you have or do not need.

Also, no need to apologise for expressing your views to the political brutus line mechanism of the NAS. (mod).

 

I do not live in London either (although I do occasionally like to shop in London and go to gigs).  I live in mid Kent and there are no local NAS services for me in my area, nor are there any other suitable local services, but there are services for adults with more severe autism.  Indeed, my uncle, who does have more severe autism than I, has had help from social services and is now in a residential home.  

I suffer from anxiety, panic attacks, meltdowns, home sickness, depression, anger management issues, etc, so I do know what it is like to suffer from a day to day basis.  I also take a high daily dosage of anti-depressants.  

However, the NAS can only do so much and have to prioritise their services to those most in need and then proceed from there.  

If there are no local services in your area, have you thought about seeking support from the NAS to set up a local support group for adults with Autism.  

(As for the mods, they are entitled to censor views that are libellous, racist, hateful, sexist, homophobic, entirely off-topic, spam, irrelevant commercial advertising, etc.  Indeed, in terms of libellous comments, they are legally bound to do so!)  

Zone-tripper, I believe you are using a bias lens,, London to London,, what about rest of the country,, the NAS does not exist in my area, the only service there which is council run is for Autistic children.

I also think you are very lucky that you can operate from the other side of the cusp, you views are a more mainstream view,, which is good for mainstream understanding,, not people with Adult Autism, who struggle on a day to day bias, without the structure or support mechanism, which you have or do not need.

Also, no need to apologise for expressing your views to the political brutus line mechanism of the NAS. (mod).

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/.../anyone-here-getting-any-help-nas, 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.)

Mercury does not cause autism. It makes you go mad like a felt hatmaker. Lead is known to cause mental retardation in children but this is completely different from autism.

Lead exposure had decreased dramatically since the 1970s as it is no longer used in petrol or paints, and much lead plumbing has now been replaced. Mercury fillings are now very rarely installed in children.

Interesting article, but I looked at the website and it seemed unconvincing, a lot of information but most of it speculation and no clear conclusions.

The idea that heavy metals and in particular mercury may be contributing to autism seems plausible but I think if there was a strong link it would be clear by now.

Also if this was true I think we would be seeing a decrease in Autism in this country,

as I understand it levels of lead and mercury exposure in children have been falling for the last 20 years.

Hope said:

Autism is simply better understood and documented than it was before. There is NO evidence that autism is a 'side-effect of the modern age', although it is possible that the predisposition genes for autism were valuable from an evolutionary perspective.

And there is no 'epidemic': autism is NOT a disease. An 'epidemic' is the wrong word to use in this context, because before greater awareness, people with autism still existed (including aspergers). As far as we are aware, they always have done!

Really?  The use of mercury in the modern environment could very well be causatory or contributory for one, the truth is science has yet to identify the cause(s) of autism:

http://www.icdrc.org/documents/Mercury%20in%20Autism.pdf

"A review of medical literature has shown that exposure to mercury, whether organic or inorganic, can give rise to the symptoms and traits defining or commonly found in ASD individuals. Mercury can cause impairments in social interaction, communication difficulties, and repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, which comprise the three DSM-IV autism diagnostic criteria. Additionally, mercury can induce features prominent in ASD such as sensory abnormalities, emotional/psychological changes, movement disorder, impairments in abstract or complex thinking, severe sleep disturbances, and self injurious behavior. Males are more affected than females in both conditions.

Physiological abnormalities more common in ASD populations and known to be caused by mercury exposure include gastrointestinal problems, autonomic nervous system disturbance, unusual EEG activity, immune system alterations, irregularities in neurotransmitter systems, and non-specific brain lesions."

And by the way, if you re-read my previous post, you will see that I said "something akin to an epidemic..." I didn't say is an epidemic, and I'm well aware of what epidemic means.  In fact if you look here: dictionary.reference.com/.../epidemic you will see that even if I had said it was an epidemic, it would still have been correctly used.

Only a small fraction of children with a diagnosed ASD attend NAS schools. The vast majority of children with Asperger syndrome do not. There has been much criticism from the ASD community that a high proportion of NAS resources are channelled towards a small number of people with traditional autism who require special schools and care services whilst Asperger syndrome was tacked onto the NAS at a much later date and the NAS provides very poorly for these people - especially if they do not require the NAS schools or care services.

The NAS was useless for me as a teenager and can offer me very little now. Personally I think that the NAS should GET OUT of Asperger syndrome and leave this to more capable and understanding organisations that can actually provide useful support.

Autism is a business sector and a growing one at that, there is no such thing as a charity, only a charity business(exempt from profit taxing(loophole) with funding streams. By giving taxpayers money to a hub organisation, saves cost and gives lots of people jobs without any long-term obligation,, you will find that the top table of all charities make a nice living, whilst using the charity status and some manipulative PR to sympathically get free slaves to do all the work.

The best one for me, recently was EVENT MAKERS position for the London Olympics, you have to paid them ! DUMB AND DUMBER ! The champagne drinkers must **** themselves with laughter at the serfs.

Playing at the same game. Please give generously.. support your Hohner, man with Autism and trauma,, please make your cheques out to Cash c/o jersey bank plc. Thank you.. you have saved a life in Britain.