Changing Lives for the Better

Hi, my name is Crystal and I have Aspergers… and I am on the Autism Spectrum.

I met my mentor Dee in November 2012 and she helped me on my path of self-discovery. I would love to give others the opportunity to learn and evolve by reading her insights and knowledge around Aspergers in her upcoming book, as it is life changing!!

It is estimated that up to 30% of our population may have traits of Autism, yet society is not ready to work with this significant group of people. In fact, this group of people are often not employed and therefore their vast skills and knowledge are underutilised because of social difficulties.

We need to change the way we teach, raise, employ, relate and counsel this significant group of people. We need to make significant social changes‼

Dee is a counsellor and is considered a local expert in her city on the subject of Aspergers syndrome. She specialises in working with all people on the Aspergers (Autism) spectrum, specifically in the Aspergers or High Functioning Autism areas. She has worked extensively with adults, both male and female and also children. She has worked on relationship combinations, and taught skills to people to cope.

She has had growing frustration with the lack of understanding and support for this significant group of people wherever they present. Considering that this is a social development disorder, it will manifest in most given social situations: relationships, parenting, students and apprentices, in employment.

This work has separate chapters that covers: an explanation of the diagnosis and difficulties diagnosing, adult males, adult females, children, Neurotypicals, relationships, employers and employees, schooling, social help. It also includes a chapter written by locals who have been involved in, around or on, the spectrum in some way (some stories are biographies of their journey, some creative, some have drawn snapshots of their lives).

“My clients are always asking me for a lay book that will broadly cover all aspects of the subject. They often tell me they want to take my brain home, and could I please put my knowledge and experience in a form that they can use? Many have tried to read the academic books but have difficulty with the academic jargon. There are strategies in the chapter for counsellors too, regards working with clients who may have ASD traits.” Dee explains.

Unfortunately, because of her long hours in counselling (because this is a specialist area), she exceeds sane limits of client work just so that needs are covered. In the evening, she is drained. On the weekends she has paperwork, housework and of primary interest, her family, that all need lots of attention. She ‘steals’ midnight hours and early morning hours to write this book, or the rare day that all the chores are done and she is alone to dive in and do some more writing and drawings and research.