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Further education

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Further education >> Further education

Further education

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• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women not in paid employment/education >> Debbie - Interview 19 >> Debbie talks about her experiences of further education and the different courses she did.

Debbie was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when she was 35 years old after experiencing bullying in the workplace. She now does voluntary work and looks after the home for her father.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Stephen - Interview 32 >> Stephen talks about how he enjoys going to art college a few days a week.

Stephen was diagnosed with autism at the age of five. He has drawn and painted since childhood and has exhibited his work internationally.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> James - Interview 49 >> James was worried about going to university but it has been “brilliant”.

James was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was 12 years old. After spending some time in a psychiatric ward, James went to a specialist unit on the site of a mainstream school and is now in his third year studying psychology at university.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women not in paid employment/education >> Neil and Catherine - Interview 55 >> Catherine describes her experiences of doing an NVQ.

Catherine, 27, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when she was 23. She works part time as a volunteer gardener.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women in employment/education: >> Laurie - Interview 53 >> Laurie has been offered a laptop and a recorder but said no to a note taker because she didn’t want piles of notes at home.

Laurie, 46, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when she was 44. She is starting a university course in journalism and works part time as a market researcher.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Mark - Interview 58 >> For Mark the diagnosis means a “little magic piece of paper that says can you treat this person a little differently”.

Mark, 27, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was 26. He is returning to university to study economics and accountancy.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Mark - Interview 58 >> Mark is more optimistic about his new course at university because he has a diagnosis now and can access support.

Mark, 27, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was 26. He is returning to university to study economics and accountancy.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women in employment/education: >> Catherine - Interview 63 >> Catherine describes her route through college to employment.

Catherine, 25, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when she was 19. She works part time in a dog rescue home and hopes to increase her working hours.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women not in paid employment/education >> Mary – Interview 01b >> Mary did some research after feeling that her diagnosis of OCD “wasn’t the full story”.

After researching various conditions on the internet, Mary was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome aged 21. She also has OCD and experiences anxieties.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women not in paid employment/education >> Mary – Interview 01b >> Mary has discovered that she really enjoys learning but didn’t like the form of working at school.

After researching various conditions on the internet, Mary was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome aged 21. She also has OCD and experiences anxieties.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> Jamie – Interview 02b >> Jamie worked for two years in a warehouse but is now looking for work.

Jamie was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was 9 years old. He uses certain techniques which helps him gain comfort and confidence in social interactions. He’s working towards finding employment and leaving home to live independently.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women not in paid employment/education >> Alex – Interview 04b >> Alex describes what she has done since she left school.

Alex was diagnosed with classic autism aged three years old. She lives independently in an adapted house, with some care assistance. A few years ago she was injured in a road accident and, as a result, now has epilepsy.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> Simon – Interview 16b >> An expert in autism has helped Simon deal with his depression.

Simon, aged 22 was diagnosed with autism when he was 5 years old. He has developed his own strategies to cope during social situations. Simon is interested in animals and aims to find employment in this area. Simon does talks on autism to help people to understand.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Sam – Interview 17b >> Sam finds a lot of people “banal” but found having a friend at university made a “massive difference” to him.

Sam was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome two years ago. He is studying for a PhD and lives by himself.