Zakkala

Seems he's now withdrawn his comments: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8345199.stm Will be interested to see if he replies to my e-mail though. Can't say I like the wording of the bbc article - surely the word isn't offensive, it's his use of it? "He also said he did not realise the word "autistic" - which he used to describe the Tory policy - could seen as offensive in English and he retracted the remark."

Saw this article this morning and was furious. I found the gentleman's website and e-mailed him advising of how objectionable his comments were and asking him to make a public apology. I await a response.

As trekster mentions, you can get a copy of it for a small charge. Under the Data Protection Action you are entitled to see copies of all personal information held about you by any organisation. You just need to make a Data Subject Access Request and they have the right to charge up to £10 to provide you with copies of everything.

Erm, forgive me for butting in here, but I have had a great interest in buddhism for many years (Tibetan Buddhism, that is) and I'm not sure that the teachings involve hoping people rot in hell..... As for ASD being a 'gift' - for me (not, as yet, formally diagnosed) I don't believe it's a gift or a curse or anything in particular. I have arthritis, I have asthma, I may have Aspergers. None of these define me or what I do - each of them undoubtedly influences how I approach life, but individually or collectively they don't make my life better or worse than someone else's, they just join with all my other individual characteristics to make me uniquely me. To be honest, I'm not sure I could define 'my' ASD enough to determine whether it was a 'gift' or not, even if I was inclined to do so - how can I possibly know which of my traits, habits or tendancies are 'because' of an ASD and not just part of 'me'?

Totally know what you mean - I was put at risk of redundancy in February and the process wasn't completed until early May (I was one of the lucky ones and kept my job - although the feedback was that my interview was 'too good / too well prepared' and I wasn't 'Human' enough etc). During that time I had a lot of time to think about what I'd really like to do and although I couldn't make myself initiate a move by taking voluntary redundancy, I think that thought process was the start of where I am now and realising I might be better out of management. Thanks for the input re the parental attendance at the assessment. Although my mum wasn't actively negative when I asked her to do the questionnaire, I think she thinks it's a 'phase' or one of my little projects. God forbid their only child should be anything other than the widely accepted 'norm'. Have mailed my consultant re requirement to have a parent present - I do have all my old school reports knocking around somewhere so I can go and have a look through those to see if anything would be of use.

Thanks for all the advice folks, it's appreciated. In one of life's mysterious little coincidences, an old boss of mine (in the same company) has told me about some new analytical roles that are being recruited for in her new area of the business - roles that don't require you to manage anyone and would allow me to bury my head in data on a daily basis! So, my CV has today winged it's way to the Exec Director of the relevant Division and I'm holding my breath to see if I get an interview. On the down side, I think I've really p*ssed off my current boss when I told him I'd done this (although he knows I'm not comfortable in my current role), and suspect my old boss may get in trouble for trying to poach me. Hopefully it'll all work out, one way or another. Also, on a better note, got my appointment date for my diagnostic assessment - 9th December, so in four months time I should know about the AS for sure one way or another. Letter from the consultant says they need my parents to fill out a questionnaire, which is fine as my mum's agreed to do it, but also that they'd usually like a parent to be there to be interviewed at the same time. I would rather not do this as my parents don't live near me and would have to travel a long way and I would also be monumentally uncomfortable having either of them there. I'll check with the consultant, but do you think not having a parent there would be a big deal if they have the completed questionnaire?

Thank you all so much for your replies - you're a very handy lot to know! I can't tell you how great it is to be able to ask advice from folk that really understand. KezT - I think you might be right; putting something regular in my calendar might help and make me feel more in control. Also, keeping notes about stuff as you suggest - good idea, thank you. Bid - That's something I still can't get used to I must admit - can never understand why anyone is interested in me outside of work! Actually, I was in a training course just this week and had to tell the trainer about things as he hit on a rather sore point when discussing 'effectiveness' in our roles and I kind of went on a bit of a rant. He was very understanding and nice and I ended up in tears and it was all a bit of a mess. I really wish I could stop wigging out at work when things get on top of me. It's getting very repetative! Featherways - I've done a bit of reading, but haven't come across a 'mild sort'; could you give me a bit more info please on what the difference between AS and the 'mild' verson would be? I'm really interested to learn as much as I can about it all. cmuir - too true; I don't actually take any breaks any more as I find they disrupt my routine too much; I just eat at my desk as I work and my lovely husband appears with cups of tea now and again! I'm very lucky to have him on my team from that point of view! Pearl - thanks for the link, I'll go have a read.

Hi folks I'm new to the boards, so 'hi'! Myself, my doctor and my husband suspect I have AS and I'm organising a diagnosis with a certain well known fella in Sheffield, which I'm hoping will happen in October some time. One of the things that's really causing me problems is my work. I manage a small team of 5 analysts in my job and find it very difficult - have always found managing difficult and have managed a number of different sized teams in different functions. I've always said I'm not a 'people person' or a 'natural manager' and I find managing people very stressful. I struggle to remember my team memebers that aren't actually in my office (two are in the same office as me, the other 3 are dotted round the country) as I'm really not interested in other people, if I'm honest. With the two in my office, the fact that they're there reminds me to talk to them, ask the questions that would indicate I'm interested in them and try to do the social interaction bit (well, I am kind of interested in them - I'm married to one of them and consider the other to be almost a friend, so it's a bit different with them!) although I still find conversation very difficult with the 'friend' even though I've known her for years and myself and my husband sometimes socialise with her and her husband. I just feel such a pratt when I have to talk to people! But as for the three that are in other areas of the country - I really struggle to remember to do the fluffy stuff - I never know how often I should call them to see how they're doing and I struggle to pretend I'm interested in them (I know that sound really harsh, but I honestly don't care what goes on in other people's lives - it's not relevant to work) and when I do try to sound interested and empathise it sounds so fake to me that I'm sure it must sound insincere to them too. As far as I'm concerned, they know where I am if they need me. I know this isn't really working as I'm not supporting them adequately although I think they're all okay as they're quite self-managed due to their roles. I'm increasingly feeling that the only way forward for me is to try and find a non managerial role - something where I can just play with my spreadsheets and code to my heart's content without having to worry about other people! I do have other difficulties at work, but I feel I'd be able to manage these better and minimise the meltdowns if I didn't have to worry about my short-comings as a manager all the time - the anxiety of under performing and knowing that however hard I try I can't seem to get it right is really getting to me. Fortunately, my manager is very understanding and tolerant - he knows I'm going for an assessment and I've promised not to make any rash decisions, but I just can't see that I'll ever be comfortable in this sort of role. So I guess my question is this - does anyone have any experience of a similar situation that could offer any advice? I guess I'm also wondering - if I carry on in my role and do have a diagnosis of AS, should I tell my team? I'd obviously tell my boss but not sure how far the knowledge needs to go - I would have no problem with people knowing, but it's hard to know how many people need to know as I work with so many people (huge company). Thanks folks. PS - this forum has been really helpful; educational, supportive and the source of great solace and relief to find others that see the world as I do, so thank you.