National Autistic Society UK

[Skids]

Hello all.

I just wondered what people thought of the above organization and if anyone had used their services or found help from them in any way? I'm generally a big sceptic of large charities as I feel they are often swimming in money and top heavy with managers who don't do seem to do a great deal but get lovely pensions, a company car etc etc whilst the lower order staff work like Trojans and get paid peanuts.

I speak from experience having worked for the two largest animal welfare charities in the UK who are no different.

I'm not for one moment inferring that this is the case with the NAS however, I have been seriously struggling with what is now called 'High Functioning Autism' I believe and have not been able to find or access any help whatsoever from the NAS.

Fortunately I did lots of searching the internet and managed to find a local charity that has support groups and activities for people like me but it was so difficult to try and find some help. Any help. In some areas there is absolutely nothing.

This charity are totally independent and currently I am writing a book and had planned to donate a percentage of any sales to NAS but now I have to reconsider. Maybe the local charity needs the funds more?

I am absolutely sure the NAS do amazing work for autistic people, I am not doubting that but I feel that individuals on the spectrum such as myself who still find getting by in life harder by the day are ignored largely and expected to fend for ourselves as we have the ability to act like NT people and generally fit in.

It feels to me like because our difficulties aren't visible and we keep them hidden well then they aren't worth addressing and we aren't worthy of help. Like we are just expected to carry on doing what we are doing until we burn out totally. As has already happened to me.

There doesn't seem to much out there for people struggling with high functioning autism and I just strongly feel that a national charity should be addressing this. They very well may be as I type, I have no idea but currently the help and support isn't there.

I also was diagnosed recently and since then haven't been able to access any therapists or counsellors that specialize in this. I've just been offered the usual CBT which I've had before loads of times with no success. The process of diagnosis also seemed like you get diagnosed then it's off you go into the world again with nobody interested in the slightest in offering any further help or support.

Apologies for the tone of the post. Yes it's a bit woe is me but I am just trying to explain how I feel and the issues I have encountered due to being recently diagnosed. I accept that there are many organizations out there doing superb work for everybody on the spectrum wherever they fit on it.

This is not meant to be a blanket criticism of the NAS but just wondered what people thought of them based on perception or indeed real experiences.

 

[Mr Allen]

Meh, they do good work on the limited funds they get from Central government sources.

 

[Beguiling Orbit]

According to this website, they devote 91% of their funds directly to charity spending, only 6% to support costs (exorbitant executive salaries, etc.) and 3% to fundraising. In my experience, anything above 90% is outstanding. Of course, that shouldn't be the only reason to support them, but it's certainly a good sign.

Their 4.5 star Facebook rating (with 587 votes) is another good indicator.

 

[Starfire]

I feel that individuals on the spectrum such as myself who still find getting by in life harder by the day are ignored largely and expected to fend for ourselves as we have the ability to act like NT people and generally fit in.

I think this sums things up for people on the higher functioning end of the spectrum in general. Unfortunately, once diagnosed you are largely left to fend for yourself. I think the NAS does good work with what little funds they have, but for me they provide information and are helpful, but limited with what they are able to achieve.

 

[pjcnet]

Unfortunately they talk a lot more about what they do to support people on the autistic spectrum than actually doing it, I'm afraid I can say this from experience with both my low functioning autistic brothers and myself. If you don't believe me give them a call and see what they can do for yourself if you happen to live in the UK, be prepared to be surprised at what little they can offer, they did absolutely sod all for us and my parents stopped attending their meetings when I was younger. I even more recently called them for advice and help, but they were pretty useless and I've never been able to get any real autistic support, all I get is a social worker who truly believes that autism is a mental health condition, I lost contact with her after arguing.

 

[Streetwise]

the NAS used to be called the Autistic childrens society and it began in the 1960s,I can't understand why they changed the name,it's still really just for children .

 

[xudo]

I agree with @Streetwise in that their main focus (as with many Autism charities) is children. Personally I would donate to the local charity you mentioned.

 

[Mr Allen]

the NAS used to be called the Autistic childrens society and it began in the 1960s,I can't understand why they changed the name,it's still really just for children .

That's only because statistically there's a LOT more kids diagnosed as Autistic than us grown ups.