Asperger’s or something”. Asperger’s Syndrome may be on the Autistic Spectrum however, it is different from other types of autism. Asperger’s Syndrome is mostly a ‘hidden disability’. This means that you can’t tell that someone has the condition from their outward appearance. For example if you were meeting my sister for the first time you would not think she was autistic at all because she looks normal and she goes to a mainstream school. However, what is going on inside her head is very different to what goes on inside yours or my head. Although discrimination in the workplace is illegal, it occurs quite frequently. A survey by the National Autistic Society (NAS) has revealed that more than a third of adults with autism have experienced discrimination or bullying in the workplace. 43% of people who took part in the survey said they have left or lost a job because of their condition and only 19% said they had no experience of bullying, unfairness or lack of support at work. Even though my sister is only 14, she is very aware of the difficulty she will have in about four years’ time when she is trying to get a place at university purely because she has been
diagnosed with this condition. There is nothing in her power that she can do to change the fact that she now has this label and it will be with her for the rest of her life. Even at the age that my sister is, she has experienced discrimination and bullying which has lowered her self-esteem. There are three different types of people in the world when it comes to Asperger’s Syndrome. Those who understand what it is and the effects it has on the lives of the people diagnosed with it, those who know about it but don’t fully understand what it is. And then there are those who are completely ignorant of it but know the label and so use it as an insult when they have no idea as to what they are actually saying. I hope that, after reading this, no one will ever use Asperger’s Syndrome as an insult again because it is a very serious condition which affects the lives of those who are diagnosed with it and those who live with them. People with the condition are able to go on and lead healthy, independent lives but, if attitudes don’t change towards this syndrome, then it will remain difficult for Aspergic people to get a job of their own.
OVER A THIRD OF ADULTS WITH AUTISM HAVE EXPERIENCED DISCRIMINATION OR BULLYING IN THE WORK PLACE
Po r t s m o u t h
Po i n t
www.pgs.org.uk
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