Martin Howe

Norwich Adult Social Group There is a social/support group for adults with Asperger Syndrome at Norwich. The group runs between 7 and 9 pm on the fourth Thursday of every month. Come along to a comfortable and interesting evening in the company of other adults affected by Asperger Syndrome; it is a chance to enjoy an evening of various events chosen by group members. There is a small charge of £3 per session to help with costs For further information and to join the group, please email Jane Garrec on j.garrec@asperger.org.uk or telephone 01603 620500.

Thanks for the help everyone - most people (across several websites) seem to prefer number 5, so number 5 it is

Is your computer refusing to boot up, shut down or connect to the internet? If so then our Beccles based workshop can help! We offer Desktop, Laptop repairs upgrades & refurbishment and repair all makes and models; Virus / Spyware removal, System cleanup, System crash problems, System recovery / reinstall, Laptop/Desktop haradware repairs & upgrades, Software / Hardware compatibility problems. Competitive prices and Free estimates! For full details, please contact us at workshop@asperger.org.uk, on 01502 715500 or call in for more details: 1/1a Market Street, Beccles, Suffolk, NR34 9AQ

Our electrical workshop in Beccles is always looking for new stock. Do you have any surplus or faulty equipment that you wish to recycle? We can repair it and sell it to raise money for the Society's aim of helping people affected by Asperger Syndrome. Please contact us at workshop@asperger.org.uk or telephone 07776 231485. Thank you

Did you know that we have a workshop project in Beccles? This project provides a supported training and employment service for people affected by Asperger syndrome. Research shows that those with an Autistic Spectrum Condition thrive in a structured and well organised environment. By channelling their strengths, such as attention to detail, tenacity and the ability to stay on task, with the correct support those with A.S. can make excellent employees. Some highlights: * Meaningful work experience * Develop work based skills * Increase their chances of securing employment * Learn new skills * Improve confidence and stamina * Develop teamwork skills Work experience tasters and skills in Carpentry & Craft: Restoration and repair of small pieces of furniture. Art and Craft projects (including sewing, knitting and textiles) to create desirable items.Participants will have the opportunity to learn new skills in wood-working, furniture refurbishment and creative crafts. Completed items will be sold in “A Shop” (Asperger East Anglia’s own charity shop) or at local craft fairs. Work experience tasters and skills in Computers and Electronics: Computer and small appliance (i.e., TVs and DVD players) repair and refurbishment service for donated electronics to be sold. Participants will have the opportunity to gain basic electrical knowledge while assisting with repairs and refurbishment. Work experience tasters and skills in Retail: The “A Shop” based in Beccles, sells donated goods and good quality clothing. Participants will train in retail and customer service with the opportunity to improve communication skills in a supportive environment. Additionally, there is a PAT testing service on offer to local businesses, where participants will gain basic electrical wiring skills for small appliances. As well as gaining experience in a real work environment, they could also gain a nationally recognised P.A.T. Testing qualification. For more details of the Work Opportunities Program Workshop, please contact: Jenny Leake Services Co-ordinator Email: jenny@asperger.org.uk Mobile: 07927 024557 Thecla Fellas CEO Email: thecla@asperger.org.uk Mobile: 07776 231485

Calling all ladies of ASD-Forum I would very much welcome your opinions on six up-to-date photographs of me. Please ignore the quality and setting of the photographs, I can work on that; what I very much need is a female take on the pose and facial expression. I have decided to try online dating on various websites and this morning took several up-to-date headshots. If you didn't know me, which of these would turn you off, which (if any) would turn you on and which would at least get you taking a second to look at my profile? Knowing my luck I'll only get six replies and they'll all be different But I can ask

Lovely open fire at home? Why not get some cheap kindling from our Beccles workshop at £3.50 a sack! Come to the A-Shop yard at 1a Market Street, Beccles, NR34 9AQ.

New from Asperger East Anglia at Beccles! Starting tomorrow, Thursday 27th November 2014, we are having a book sale every Thursday and Friday at the Beccles premises in the main meeting room upstairs. There are a lot of good-quality books on sale at reasonable prices, including fiction/non-fiction, paperback/hardback, and child/adult categories. We have also got a lot of low-priced fiction in paperback. All profits go to supporting people affected by Asperger Syndrome. Come and pick up a bargain soon! 1a Market Street, Beccles, NR34 9AQ. 9.30am-5pm, Thursdays and Fridays. Tel: 01502 715500. Email: martin@asperger.org.uk.

Don't forget, everybody! Tonight (Wednesday 26 November) is the last main meeting of the Waveney & East Norfolk adults with AS group at Beccles for 2014. And if you would like a say in our plans for the last additional meeting of the year, 10th December, be extra sure to turn up! See you there

Beccles Adult Social Group There is a social/support group for adults with Asperger Syndrome at Beccles. The group runs twice a month; the main meeting is between 7 and 9 pm on the LAST Wednesday of every month EXCEPT December. There is usually an additional meeting between 7 and 9 pm (spring/summer) or 6.30 and 8.30 pm (autumn/winter) on the SECOND Wednesday of every month INCLUDING December. The exact times and activities for each additional meeting are decided during the immediately preceding main meeting, but usually involve a walk around the Beccles area or an evening outing further afield. Main meetings 2014 and early 2015: * November 26th * (Please note that there is no main meeting in December) * January 28th * February 25th * March 25th Expected additional meetings 2014 and early 2015: * December 10th (6.30pm) * January 14th (6.30pm) * February 11th (6.30pm) * March 11th (6.30pm) For further information and to join the group, please email Martin Howe on martin@asperger.org.uk or telephone 01502 715500.

Correction: The email address is shop@asperger.org.uk. Sorry for any confusion caused!

Did you know that we have a workshop project in Norwich? This project provides a supported training and employment service for people affected by Asperger syndrome. Research shows that those with an Autistic Spectrum Condition thrive in a structured and well organised environment. By channelling their strengths, such as attention to detail, tenacity and the ability to stay on task, with the correct support those with A.S. can make excellent employees. Some highlights: * Meaningful work experience * Develop work based skills * Increase their chances of securing employment * Learn new skills * Improve confidence and stamina * Develop teamwork skills Work experience tasters and skills in computers and electronics in the form of a computer and small appliance (i.e., TVs and DVD players) repair and refurbishment service for donated electronics to be sold. Participants will have the opportunity to gain basic electrical knowledge while assisting with repairs and refurbishment. Additionally, there is a PAT testing service on offer to local businesses, where participants will gain basic electrical wiring skills for small appliances. As well as gaining experience in a real work environment, they could also gain a nationally recognised P.A.T. Testing qualification. Summary: * 6-26 Week Programme. * Practical skills in a work environment. * Workshop or external placement. * Up-to-date experience to put on the C.V. * A reference on successful completion of the programme. * Job Search activities. * Compiling a C.V. & Cover Letter. * Filling out application forms. * Life Skills. * Job Skills. * How to cope in the workplace. * Supporting Environment. For more details of the Work Opportunities Program Workshop, please contact: Jenny Leake Services Co-ordinator Email: jenny@asperger.org.uk Phone: 01603 598949 Mobile: 07927 024557 Chris Karakoidas Workshop Supervisor Email: chris@asperger.org.uk Phone: 01603 598945 Mobile: 07986 868708

Our Beccles workshop urgently needs unwanted cargo pallets for recycling into crates and other woodwork items. If you can help, please call 01502 715500 or email workshop@asperger.org.uk. Thanks

Hi All My name is Martin Howe and as some of you know I am an adult with Asperger Syndrome, diagnosed a few years ago. I am now social media co-ordinator for Asperger East Anglia and have been given permission to cross-post our social media feed content to the three autism forums that I use. I am doing this because many people with autism, and some without it, do not use social media and prefer to use forums like this one; obviously as an adult with AS and as a service user, volunteer and employee for/of Asperger East Anglia, I wish awareness of the Society's services to reach as many people who may need it as possible. After discussion with a moderator it has been agreed that I may create a thread here in the forum to act as a news feed for Asperger East Anglia, analogous to our feeds on Facebook and the like. Please note that all content posted by me in this thread, including email addresses, phone numbers, staff or volunteer names, etc., is official news and is cleared for publication by the society. It's all over Facebook, Twitter and in some cases Streetlife.com, so it really is public; anybody on the internet can, and is meant to, see it; often before it is posted here. Please note that any replies any of you make on the thread itself are another matter; we'd rather you reply to whatever contact information is given in each post or by private message or email to me; however, if for whatever reason you need to reply on this thread, the usual safeguarding precautions about YOUR personal data still apply. So please be careful Kind Regards Martin Howe Social Media Co-ordinator Asperger East Anglia martin@asperger.org.uk Registered Charity No: 1074699

Hello Everybody Do you live in Beccles, Waveney or East Norfolk? Would you help people with Asperger Syndrome lead fuller lives? Would you like to learn new skills or make more use of the ones you have now? Can you spare a few hours per week? Our Beccles project is short of volunteers in all departments and we are looking for people from all walks of life, including people with AS themselves, who know or are willing to learn to do the tasks that make the project tick! We desperately need volunteers to: * Sell books and electrical items online * Repair computers and electronic goods We also need people to assist with * Serving customers in our charity shop * General electrical equipment testing In helping us you can gain valuable skills to help you find work, make the most of your free time, or simply feel good about helping other people. If you would like to join us in this valuable work, helping people with Asperger Syndrome to lead fuller lives, please contact: Jenny Leake, Services Co-ordinator Asperger East Anglia jenny@asperger.org.uk 07927 024557 Please note that this is an official post in my capacity as Social Media Co-ordinator for Asperger East Anglia and simultaneously in my private capacity as a service user and supporter of the charity. (I also asked a moderator to check it before I posted it).

Hello Everybody Are you interested in helping others like yourself? Have you ever been curious about the way you think? Graham Beales, a trainee clinical psychologist at UEA, is conducting research on how people with AS process information: 'The way that people with AS understand information may help explain why they have difficulties with social and occupational activities (Frith & Happe, 1994). It has been suggested that people with AS may focus on the finer details, rather than understand the bigger picture, when processing information (Happe, 1999; Happe & Frith, 2006). As a consequence, the current study will clarify if people with AS focus on the finer details, and investigate whether computerised training can help adults with and without AS look at the bigger picture. To our knowledge, this will be the first study to investigate the effect of training on processing styles in individuals with AS’. It's not difficult to take part and your rights are respected at all times. If you are interested in receiving more information about the study, then please contact Graham Beales (Trainee Clinical Psychologist) on G.Beales@uea.ac.uk or 07851 319347. Please note that this is an official post in my capacity as Social Media Co-ordinator for Asperger East Anglia. On a personal note: I have taken part myself and the process is safe and painless. The experiment tests people without AS as well, but Graham is particularly short of volunteers who do have AS. So if you would like to help all of us lead better lives, please consider volunteering.

Asperger East Anglia's Annual General Meeting 2014 Calling all members of Asperger East Anglia! Our ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING will be held on Monday 24th November 2014 at 4pm in the Stanley Cooper Room of the Charing Cross Centre in Norwich. Tea, Coffee & Biscuits will be available. See you there PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS EVENT IS FOR MEMBERS ONLY If you are interested in joining the Society, please visit our website for more details. If you are already a member, please ensure that you have paid your subscription for this year in time to be admitted to the AGM.

Hi All There follows an official announcement from Asperger East Anglia: We are pleased to announce our revised and upgraded social media presence! We are on Facebook as the page AspergerEastAnglia: https://www.facebook.com/AspergerEastAnglia We are also on Twitter as the feed AspergerEastAng: https://www.twitter.com/AspergerEastAng We can be followed in the Norwich area on Streetlife.com as the Norwich/Norfolk branch: https://www.streetlife.com/page/asperger-east-anglia-norwichnorfolk-branch We can be followed in the Beccles area on Streetlife.com as the Beccles/Suffolk branch: https://www.streetlife.com/page/asperger-east-anglia-becclessuffolk-branch If you require any further information, please contact me: Martin Howe, Social Media Co-ordinator martin@asperger.org.uk For more general information about the Society, please visit our website: http://www.asperger.org.uk (I have been a volunteer for the Society for many years and am now an employee!)

Please would everybody in East Anglia help me by sharing/RTing/reposting the following quote: "Please follow https://www.facebook.com/AEABeccles #AEABeccles" or its equivalent on your favourite social networks. We'd ideally like the new Asperger East Anglia project to go as viral as possible in the Autism community and among the general public who are affected by Asperger Syndrome (including family members, partners, carers, parents, children, etc). So please use our hashtag #AEABeccles wherever you can. Thanks

Here's a copy of the official press release about Asperger East Anglia's new Suffolk area premises: You can also visit the AEA Suffolk area Facebook page and Twitter feed: https://www.facebook.com/AEABeccles https://twitter.com/AEABeccles.

Hi All - It's been a long time, life's been busy Hope everybody's OK I'd like to let people know of a new social group in North East Suffolk; actually it's not that new, but isn't as well known as its Norwich counterpart - last time, only four people and the support workers turned up! So are you over 18 and have Asperger’s Syndrome? Do you live in Waveney or Great Yarmouth? Would you like to meet more people like yourself? Then Asperger East Anglia has a social group just for you! The adults’ group meets in Lowestoft on the last Wednesday of every month from7-9 pm at The Kirkley Centre, 154 London Road South, NR33 0AZ; it is £3 per session and refreshments are included in the cost. Please contact Asperger East Anglia on 01603 620500 for more information or email info@asperger.org.uk. This is not an official announcement - I volunteer for the society and thought I'd "do my bit" in spreading the word - so would everybody in the area please share this like crazy? The Group is relatively new and it’d be nice to reach out to everyone that might need it!

Well I am still not exactly sure what CBT does for an ASD itself; it seems to be more about dealing with the after-effects. But many people seem to have benefited from it. Thanks for all the replies, folks.

Given my expression of Asperger's Syndrome, several sources have commented that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is likely to be the best route to coping with integrating in the NT world; this is essential to my job hunting and I know some people here have found CBT useful in other ways. However, CBT costs a fortune to obtain privately and in my experience some medical professionals can be obstructive in putting a patient forward for treatments that cost any money. Has anybody persuaded an NHS GP to get CBT for them and how did you do so?

Same here - helped also by the fact that the assessor was not just a medical doctor, he seemed quite familiar with Asperger's Syndrome and understood that day-to-day challenges that seem minor at home can have more severe consequences at work .

Dammit, Trekster, you beat me to it Fieldmouse's avatar is really clever and very cool