Need submissions for my education idea please

[OliveOilMom]

I know what I want to do myself about educating the public regarding independent adults on the spectrum. I'm going to make a FB page and publish it in March with the information about what it will be about so it can be shared a lot by the time April rolls around. In April I'm going to profile on independent, successful adult on the spectrum per day. I'll post the info the person gives me.

What I'm looking for are adults who are living independently or with a partner or roommate (not assisted living), and who either have jobs or are housewives or househusbands or who are in college. Basically I'm looking for people to profile who are very different from the expectations that most people have when they hear someone is on the spectrum.

You would need to use your real name and be willing to let me post a photo, answer some basic questions about your diagnosis, how it impacts your life, how you deal with it, and things like your goals in life, what you enjoy, etc. You would also need to be professionally diagnosed because if you aren't then people can say that I'm just finding people to say they have AS and it would make the sites credibility questionable to some.

So, is there anyone here who would be interested in that? You can answer in the thread or you can PM me about it. You don't have to answer the questions and such in the thread, we will do that via PM.

Thanks in advance, and wish me luck!

 

[dudeman]

Not to start an argument, but since you've already said you're sympathetic to Autism Speaks and think it's a problem that needs to be fixed, I find it very unlikely that you'll get any volunteers here as the perception, based on my own observations, is that you've already lost any credibility you might have had. I suggest you look elsewhere.

 

[Naturalist]

I think it is an interesting and worthwhile idea. I wouldn't mind participating, except I only have a tentative diagnosis from a few psych professionals ("probable Aspergers") not the full, official dx. May get one eventually, though, especially if I have to move in the future. Keep us posted, it sounds like a good project.

 

[epath13]

For me personally it doesn't matter whether you supporting Autism Speaks or not. But, in my opinion, you might be coming on too strong. As I've noticed, most people here are very private. In order to gain trust in a community (this community in particular) it's necessary to be a friend 1st. Over the years I've been here I've seen a few people who have been trying to get other members to participate or to draw attention to an idea but the reason why they have failed is because they've expected that complete strangers are going to be automatically interested.
Any organization or an individual needs to build reputation 1st. When you have no money and want other people to support you, it will only work if they can trust you, if they are your friends or if they truly believe in your cause. I'll give you an example, there's a migraine app that I use, their pr person, that's who I believe she is has done an amazing job gaining people trust. She was supper friendly, understanding and polite. She has done great job connecting with people. One day she asked if people could share their personal migraine stories. I shared because I liked the app, I liked her attitude, which reflected the company's attitude. I hope you aren't going to take my message in a negative way. I'm expressing my opinion Good luck with your venture!

 

[Warmheart]

Gosh, I do wish that I could be profiled as both "independent" and "successful." Honestly, I am not at the level of functioning you describe. I am, however, doing my best, and continue to strive to do better.

 

[Tia Maria]

... doing my best, and continue to strive to do better.

This is only one of the many reasons that I too adore you Warmheart. We aren't acquainted, but from every single one of your posts, & your beautiful shepherd avatar, you just EXUDE a peaceful & warm persona that is priceless.

Doing our best & striving for improvement is the best any of us can do on any given day. And some of us struggle with independence which is okay. But success is measured in many different ways, & I would consider you to be quite successful. That is not a flattery to be kind. It is just what I think.

 

[OliveOilMom]

Not to start an argument, but since you've already said you're sympathetic to Autism Speaks and think it's a problem that needs to be fixed, I find it very unlikely that you'll get any volunteers here as the perception, based on my own observations, is that you've already lost any credibility you might have had. I suggest you look elsewhere.

I'm looking in several places and I don't really think most people would base their participation in a public education project on whether or not the person putting it together hates autism speaks. People can certainly choose to do whatever they want but I'm not in any way affiliated with autism speaks. You don't see it as being rather silly to refuse to participate because someone doesn't share your hatred of an organization?

I think it is an interesting and worthwhile idea. I wouldn't mind participating, except I only have a tentative diagnosis from a few psych professionals ("probable Aspergers") not the full, official dx. May get one eventually, though, especially if I have to move in the future. Keep us posted, it sounds like a good project.

Thanks! If you want to help I could probably use some help putting the actual page together and organizing it.

 

[OliveOilMom]

For me personally it doesn't matter whether you supporting Autism Speaks or not. But, in my opinion, you might be coming on too strong. As I've noticed, most people here are very private. In order to gain trust in a community (this community in particular) it's necessary to be a friend 1st. Over the years I've been here I've seen a few people who have been trying to get other members to participate or to draw attention to an idea but the reason why they have failed is because they've expected that complete strangers are going to be automatically interested.
Any organization or an individual needs to build reputation 1st. When you have no money and want other people to support you, it will only work if they can trust you, if they are your friends or if they truly believe in your cause. I'll give you an example, there's a migraine app that I use, their pr person, that's who I believe she is has done an amazing job gaining people trust. She was supper friendly, understanding and polite. She has done great job connecting with people. One day she asked if people could share their personal migraine stories. I shared because I liked the app, I liked her attitude, which reflected the company's attitude. I hope you aren't going to take my message in a negative way. I'm expressing my opinion Good luck with your venture!

I'm not taking it in a negative way. The project isn't for personal gain and it's only going to be on a public page so anybody can see what I do with the information. This is simply an idea to put a very little bit of information out there to the public about people on the spectrum who are contributing members of society, it's not going to be a very big deal, just a small page. People are certainly free to choose whether or not to participate in it. I've got some already I'm just wanting to get 30 people. Also, not everyone who volunteers is going to meet the criteria etc. It's fine if you don't feel like participating because I'm new here or for any other reason. I'm not offended by it

Gosh, I do wish that I could be profiled as both "independent" and "successful." Honestly, I am not at the level of functioning you describe. I am, however, doing my best, and continue to strive to do better.

Keep working on it! You get closer to your goal with everything you do.

 

[OliveOilMom]

I actually think I may have enough now. I'll update this thread if I end up needing more people.