Seans Story

Produced by Speakup Self Advocacy

2014 Speakup Self Advocacy
www.speakup.org.uk

What Good Looks Like
Dealing with differences of opinion

My name is Sean and I have
Aspergers Syndrome (part of
the autism spectrum). I have
had a serious addiction for the
past 15-20 years. This
sometimes makes me
argumentative, moody and
challenging.
I am a lot better now due to
fact that I have learnt coping
mechanism thanks to the
support offered by student
social workers at my
advocacy group who have
formed part of my circle of
support together with my
personal assistant, my friends
and my family.
If I hadnt have had this help
and learnt how to cope with
my addiction I may have
ended up in the local
Assessment and Treatment
Unit or worse.


Because of the support I have
had I am gradually turning my
life round and I am now the
Chair of Speakup for Autism.
The people who attend and
are actively involved in
Speakup for Autism can have
behaviour that is difficult to
manage and often leads to
serious differences of opinion.
As Chair I have to manage
these differences so that the
group remains positive and
focussed.
I achieve this by moderating
the differences by calm, clear
speaking and allowing people
the space they may need to
help diffuse the situation.
There is also a good circle of
support around Speakup for
Autism, such as advocates
from my advocacy group,
researchers and staff from
Sheffield Hallam University who
we work closely with,
addressing issues about autism
and stress trigger points.
My addiction also causes me
to have differences of opinion
with my circle of support and
often I am in the wrong as my
circle of support are only
trying to make my personal
situation better. I manage this
with difficulty but I am getting
better at listening to others by
using coping strategies.
As my ability to control my
challenging behaviour has
improved I have travelled
around the country delivering
training for professionals who
may come across people on
the Autism Spectrum. I have
travelled to London by myself.
I have also had articles that I
have written published in
magazines and journals.
I live with my cat in a flat
within a Key Ring scheme and
I am very independent. This
seems to work well because I
can have my own
independence but Key Ring
support workers are there to
support me when I need
them.
I couldnt have done any of
this without the right circle of
support around me.