Welcome to A.S.S.G.O

1. What does your organisation 'go for it' do?

We are a social and leisure group for s from age 16 and up with Autism, AS and learning disabilities in Oxfordshire. We do events such as ten pin bowling, pubs, going for walks all of our activities invovle socialisting with people and usually in the public place through we have discussion groups in a hired hall.

2. Do any of the aspergers your deal with have a normal life?

What is normal, if you mean get a job, relationships etc maybe some of our members will later on in life but at the moment i think they are on a learning road which all of us are not just people with disabilities have hard times we all do. The challenge of life is living it.

3. What are your views on aspergers syndrome?

I been working with people for many years, i treat people with AS like I would like to be treated and with respect.

4. How long have you dealt with people with aspergers syndrome?

I been working with people with disabilities includin autism and AS for ten years now and running go for it for 3 years. It been fun times and hard times but most of all awarding.

5. Do you feel that services should be improved for people with aspergers syndrome?

I think all services for people with any disability should be improve but more for people with autism and AS reason being it not a phsycial disability and many people are now just understanding people with autism but there a lot of work to be done. For people with AS it is important that  people who want to work the company knows about disability rights, that includes AS and because of the social probelms some people may face in work place people may be bullied and this got to be deal with carerfully. Respite care is really needed for parents with autism in some areas of the country and their need to be more support groups for people with AS and possible even run by AS people.

6. What do you think is the best service for people with aspergers syndrome?

I think the national autistic society is a very good organisation and that the best. of course I think any group or organisation that is out there helping people with AS and making things better for AS people are great but we got a long way to go.

8. What first made you interested in aspergers syndrome?

I was about 16 years old and a volunteer at this sport club. I had to look after this kid with autism what got me confuse then was he kept on asking what is my name, I reply Michelle, he just kept on asking me and this was annoying me so at the end of the session I ask his mum why he kept on asking my name she reply "he don't know what else to say it part of his autism". I was shock and i wanted to know more so I studied books and i learnt about autism by reading but it was only working with children with autism that i got to know about AS. I got a friend with AS he very socialable and love to meet up in pubs etc we have a good time. There are many stories i could tell but then it be like a book.

9. Does it make you angry when you hear stories about people with aspergers syndrome being unfairly treated? Give example.

Yes of course it does. I been reading a book on a who went to a boarding school for children with autism and got ill treated back in the 70s/80s it was awful to read but at the same time it did have a good out come she works at one of the universities in UK as volunteer research and got a degee as well. However i must point out there a lot of good stories out there.

10. What do you think of this site? ASSGO - AS Support Group Online.

I think the site is great and well done to you for setting it up. Thank you for the interview I hope many people will enjoy reading it and if any one interested in go for it more please go to www.goforitoxford.org take care