After spending half an hour or more trying to get through, finally a help line volunteer answered. I told her about my housing problems regarding sound/noise, and she said, ''I am afraid we don't really deal with housing needs, but I can refer you to Shelter'', giving me the number. She will also send me an information pack. So much for help from the NAS. I know that several forum members feel aggrieved by the NAS, and I can now see what they mean.
This is something that annoys me, Hope has autism,, there should be TREATMENT care plan around her condition, to be fobbed off to speak to Shelter aka mainstream mass line,, is unbelievable. She has special needs which need to be addressed by a professional or care agency in the field of autism, because it is related,, THE NAS !
What do the NAS actually do ? then are only a lip service organisation ! This is a disgrace... I am writing to there patron and media to see if the will pick up on some of the cases I read in on this forum !
God help the children with Autism using the NAS services.
Hope said:After spending half an hour or more trying to get through, finally a help line volunteer answered. I told her about my housing problems regarding sound/noise, and she said, ''I am afraid we don't really deal with housing needs, but I can refer you to Shelter'', giving me the number. She will also send me an information pack. So much for help from the NAS. I know that several forum members feel aggrieved by the NAS, and I can now see what they mean.
Welcome aboard - only until you have asked for help and then been fobbed off will you really see the true NAS, all those on the forum complaining about others complaining about NAS - please try asking for help yourself !
So the short commings of nas are recognised.
I personally would like to help anyone access the support they should be getting and up until I lose Internet access or am evicted- I would like to provide simple honest advice to those who need help.
HOPE needs an advocate and to build an explanation of housing problems so they are clearly addressed.
So the short commings of nas are recognised.
I personally would like to help anyone access the support they should be getting and up until I lose Internet access or am evicted- I would like to provide simple honest advice to those who need help.
HOPE needs an advocate and to build an explanation of housing problems so they are clearly addressed.
quote For example, your local council, Shelter (http://england.shelter.org.uk) or your local Citizens Advice " I hope these contacts may be useful
THAT IS THE PROBLEM ! I can't believe the NAS said those words !
JESUS MAN !
ON THE AUTISTIC SPECTRUM, THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE ! IT IS ACTUALLY ABUSIVE AND INSENSITIVE TO STATE THAT REPLY.
Mike can you please leave the forum and ask the NAS to allocate a real advocate who knows how to communicate with Autistic spectrum people.
I am sorry but the NAS is NOT AN ORGANISATION for Autistic people, it is sham !
Hope said:Yes, but the NAS should be there to help people with autism related issues. The fact I have noise sensitivities and high stress levels, is an autism issue, and an organization like the NAS that specialises in this area, should really offer some concrete assistance to people in this sort of situation. Citizen's advice is a mainstream service - it is not autism specific. I guess I was naive in thinking that the help-line could help with all sorts of autism related issues. So what is the help-line really for then?
Well thats the thing it's an advice line offering practical assistance to another advice line that may actually help.
Practical advice with fact sheets.
Advice that this sort of thing isn't catered for speak to Citizens Advice/Key Worker ETC.
All Practically useless and with a funded budget of 1.5 million according to corporate page- how can they offer so little for so much (answers on postcard)
Do you need help to find an advocate?
Yes, but the NAS should be there to help people with autism related issues. The fact I have noise sensitivities and high stress levels, is an autism issue, and an organization like the NAS that specialises in this area, should really offer some concrete assistance to people in this sort of situation. Citizen's advice is a mainstream service - it is not autism specific. I guess I was naive in thinking that the help-line could help with all sorts of autism related issues. So what is the help-line really for then?
Hi Hope,
Thanks for your post and sorry to hear you've not been happy with the Helpline service.
The information given by our Helpline is correct: the NAS is not a housing specialist, and there are other organisation who are better placed to advise you. For example, your local council, Shelter (http://england.shelter.org.uk) or your local Citizens Advice (www.citizensadvice.org.uk).
I hope these contacts may be useful.
Best wishes,
Mike, NAS
Hi hope in which case it should be easier to get some resolution to this.
Firstly as a person with protected characteristics under- law while the housing issue possible anti social behavour from neighbours is part of it.
My suggestion to resolving this is first you should have an independent advocate who is autism trained. This is important for several reasons to make sure your situation is recognised and dealt with fairly
Normally as far as I'm aware most county councils fund this, not knowing where you are I would suggest contacting the local grass roots autism group in your area.
I would recommend with advocate you contact disability law service and citizens advice.
You should keep a log of unreasonable incidents such as very loud music, door slams after 11 pm
When you have this in hand-with advocate contact the housing association. You want to make sure your taken seriously and that your concerns are properly dealt with.
If you need more assistance.then maybe if you would like to post any points your struggling with we can look to resolve them
In response to Stuffed's questions:
1) My flat is owned by a Housing Association. It is ex Council stock, but nowadays not for profit companies are funded by the Council to look after the social sector.
2) I believe my neighbour pays rent to the same Housing Association
3) I am formally diagnosed with Aspergers
Thanks for any advice
www.autism.org.uk/.../Trafigura.aspx
Well 1.5 million for a helpline run by 2 part time people-you couldn't make it up
I've thought about your noise issue, please understand I am just an individual that would like to help you through a minefield.
without saying where you live:-
1) is your flat rented from a landlord,privately owned or council/ housing association?
2)Secondly answer question 1 for your neighbour if you know who owns their flat.
3) do you have a written diagnosis- please just a sentence eg. aspergers
If you can answer these questions I can then point you to better information.
As a disabled person you do have the backing of statue legislation, but you need to resolve this in a reasonable way- knowledge is power.
