While I agree a great way to include others, we should all be included in all walks of life and as your well aware many of us on the autism spectrum have dyspraixa and really then if like me cricket can be become a dangerous option, yes I did try and it did not help my confidence at the time, especially as I also had sight problems … I became the amusement…

I mention this because often people not on the autism spectrum feeling including us is insisting we do things, especially as children that are not necessarily the things we enjoy, being inclusive is fine if the individuals are open minded into what that means!

I guess we need to remember what works for one person with asd may not for all, as you know we can be as diverse and different on the autism spectrum as those that are not… I like to think the old stereo type rain man imagine has long gone, but sometimes I wonder!

Alyson Bradley – asplanet.info

For me out in the bigger world, its not that I do not know what to do and have every confidence in self these days… but I can not act and be what I am not and all my attempts in the past have been me trying to be perceived like others want me to be, exhausting and does not work… others need to be more excepting of differences, if I was blind in a interview they would not except me to read out the questions. To me its really all about believing and having the confidence to be self, I do not want to be a preforming monkey for others! and have no intention of being, these days I am my self and happy to explain why I communicate differently, I guess the problem I now have is to help educate everyone so those of us with asd differences are allowed just to be and live in this world on our terms, not pretending to be what we are not, never works long term and I do feel this is one of the biggest problem for many of us on the autism spectrum in life in general, not being fully accepted or allowed…

Many asd individuals, especially those with Aspergers are very intelligent and we know what we are meant to do and how others want us to be, but we just want to be who we were born to be, like everyone does. Often its not instruction we need, but understanding from others. Unfortunately while the world continues to be very judgmental on how they perceive others, many brilliant minded asd individuals will continue to be unfairly treated and talent wasted!

I rather like the ASAN top 3 priority areas:
1. Support and Empower Autistic Adults
2. End School Abuse and Ensure a Free and Appropriate Public Education for All Students on the
Autism Spectrum
3. Balance the Research Agenda to Support Quality of Life

Having ASD, being an ASD parent, and knowing what it’s like as a ASD child. I some times feel the gap between those
of us on the autism spectrum and others, including parents of children on the autism spectrum, views are miles a part and trying to bridge that gap can seem like crossing a mine field. But for the children’s sake we are all going to have to find a middle ground, otherwise those of us with ASD may well retreat and stay isolated. After all all children become adults, and as much as I have learned to adapt, fir into your world and to many I may seem like you but I am neurologically different, and pretending is extremely exhausting!

Regards Alyson Bradley
AsPlanet – http://www.asplanet.info/
[Asperger Parallel Planet - web site/forum]