Talking About Autism 2 Large Groups

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In my disability business advocacy for candle making and transitional employment integrations I have been asked to speak in front of the whole Chamber of commerce, other groups and am seemingly pressured by some to be more socially active. I am not afraid of people it's just that whole idea is overwhelming. I refer them to an Autism Specialist that works with me. The same with invitations for radio interviews. I am typically reclusive and came out of my shell to work and with frustrations and made up my own advocacy to work and help others get hours for candle making. However I am told if I am wanting to make it bigger I have to speak to a bunch of people and create social arrangements where I also then try to get people to speak to beyond this.

Firstly I can speak only general on the issue of others with autism whom qualify for support services. Secondly why should I go through such a thing in the first place for them to know what is so simple. The solution I think is asking others here and other places what to say because I'm not all knowing about how it is autism (which is me and others) means and what exactly do we want accomplished in advocacy. Personally I came up with the concept of therapeutic transitional integrations for businesses to sponsor transitional employment hours with government funded programs that work with people with autism and relating disabilities. To experience something normal and have a support worker there. To be part of a business and have some responsibilities instead of being entirely separated from mainstream society and expected with all the rigidity to do this on your own. Support workers exists for general community and employment for this but the compassionate concepts do not to enhance integration opportunities.

Moreover why is it that more people do not advocate for such things so I do not have to. IF they already have why not more success. If it has not been thought of before or has but in a different way then I'm impatient and others should help. So some will but it is not my choice to be a social speaker but I have and will in very small groups. Few times do people ignore me if I am persistent with them and usually I achieve what I set out to do. However I do not really want to transition myself but some others do.

I am looking to connect my advocacy into something larger with others such as a think tank. With and without people with autism. I am not superman here.. So what are your ideas.

Big stores like Walmart just should do this.

Gosh.

I don't feel comfortable advocating either because I don't know how much what I'd say applies to anyone else, though I did do a poll here on one subject before going further with it elsewhere.

But yeah, someone's gotta do it.

You could probably, over the years, put together a powerpoint-type presentation that would enable you to talk to large groups. It might take a lot of practice to get to the point where you'd be comfortable with that, but you could do it if you wanted. One thing that's helped me is to read up on other disability groups and what they have to say - a lot of it is the same thing. So you can generalize to disability and inclusion in general, if that helps.

I think a lot of the time people don't want to do the reading because it doesn't feel real to them unless they see someone talking about it. So you need to put on a show. But it can be very basic.

Also, if talking to people is too hard you can get one of those Alphatext-type gadgets and write it out when with people. They might respect you more if you pulled back a bit that way. Not sure, though, because I haven't tried it.

RCRC had an autism specialist come from far away here and I got her in the front page of the Eureka Reporter before and after for public awareness and education then she flew away. RCRC still has an autism specialist though with a PHD and Harvard degree that said she would speak at events if I arrange them. At this time I am setting up the candle stuff and next year I will work on social arrangements and networking and I think the job coach will help me organize this. Just I am not sure if I like the whole social thing but I am determined. It's just that of all this determination I like making candles and advocacy but the whole social advocacy is just new. Some are working with me about speaking in front of small groups which has been successful. I am very determined and would like to work with other self-advocates as well.

I do not like the idea of doing Power Point presentations. Just small groups and one on one people meeting. I am frustrated now because I feel I should be working with more people but as I have chosen the directive thus far it has worked. Just seems others should have creative input.

Nathan Young

What is a Alphatext-type gadgets?

Verbally I can speak fine if you are talking about a text to speech witter. I think I heard of it as augmentative technology. I do not need one of those for impairment.

I find that articulation I can do well in business, however there is I am sure consumers that do need such technology. I know several others with autism who would have no part in advocacy and who do not need such technologies but like making money in supportive employment circumstances like they do now. The candles just increase work flow and the variety of opportunities offered and I think after these massive marketing attempts work flow will be increased. For now though if no marketing was being done I'd have more funding but it's just a few hours here and there and especially with CPA's costing so much money. I am personally pouring 10,000 candles, wicking them and sticking the t-lights in baggies with a refrigerator magnet for a local newspaper. That's costly.

When it comes down to it making candles and doing employment advocacy is fun, it's creating something really new and to me is exciting. The stressful part is communicating new types of businesses ideas to business owners and finding self-advocates who are not afraid of or even interested in advocating for the disability to work industry in this unique manifestation. My job coach is very good at this. The candles simply are a employment opportunity for myself and others and this type of idea for disability to work is really new. I have not discovered any business owner that objected to the idea but some businesses do not return calls or when in person leaving a card for them multiple times and what not which is rude. If they do not want to carry the candles say so but some avoid and many have carried them and liked the idea. I think the ideas have a few more years to go to really be extremely enabling. For now it is effective enough that what has been accomplished thus far when I cease marketing projects will indeed as it can now only in part offer stable hours but later being more enabling. Simply I want substantial hours for others and we are in a bad recession.

Speaking in front of people I can imagine and as time goes by I will do that more often. Just I don't feel like giving speeches in front of a local Chamber of Commerce membership. I do not feel like going on radio to be interviewed and I like witting instead. I feel comfortable just so darn busy and not really looking to myself as ultimately the only self-advocate, parent advocate or professional involved in what I created which was to be for others as well. Things are going well and it all takes time. There is a committee of people with disabilities that at times votes but that is to small. The few of them look to me for leadership.

I feel that disability to work agendas could be creatively inspired by a multitude of individuals with disabilities. That the traditional approaches of government programs, private sector government funded and otherwise does not really do a good job. the best I was able to achieve through these programs was cleaning toilets and waring a sponsored by vest when cleaning up trash. I like the dignity of leadership and creative audacity to create better employment opportunities.

The autism specialist lady is arranging for another group for me to speak to. Before the Chamber of Commerce president would not allow herself to understand no when I didn't want to speak in front of everyone. It' upset me and I didn't speak to her again since. That's because I really do not like it and do not like to be pressured. Overtime with practice I will be good at it.