Author Archives: Matthew Casey

ASD Lib Dems: Reducing Barriers to Activism

By Matthew Casey | Fri 8th August 2014 - 2:55 pm

Autism Awareness Ribbon, Colorful Puzzle Pieces, Free Creative Commons Public Domain DownloadThe Lib Dems are currently at around 8-11% in the polls, and with c.20,000 fewer members of the party than in 2010, with less than a year to one of the most important General Elections that this party has faced since we were formed. But it is within this time period of emotional stress and exhaustion where tempers are frayed and relationships between people are made and indeed broken.

Since the formation of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Lib Dems I have had several members come up to me explaining how they would like to help their local party but feel totally unable to go canvassing despite wishing to do so. Whilst everyone on the spectrum is different – no two people are the same – there are some common areas of difficulty such as picking up non-verbal clues, lack of empathy and memory.

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Posted in Party policy and internal matters | Tagged | 4 Comments

Launching ASD Liberal Democrats

By Matthew Casey | Mon 7th July 2014 - 8:55 am

Autism Awareness Ribbon, Colorful Puzzle Pieces, Free Creative Commons Public Domain DownloadFollowing on from my article a couple of weeks ago, Autism – Challenges on entering the workplace,  I have had several members contact me regarding  difficulties that they faced within the party and expressing a desire that there should be a support network for themselves and for Local Parties and Council groups, in order for people to remain as effective local Councillors.

As a result I am pleased to announce that ASD Lib Dems has been created to help serve the Autistic community both within the party and to the wider ASD Community.

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Posted in Op-eds | Tagged , and | 7 Comments

Opinion: Autism – challenges on entering the workplace

By Matthew Casey | Wed 11th June 2014 - 9:12 am

nas-logoBeing diagnosed as having High Functioning Autism can come across as a bolt from the blue. However, a few weeks ago I was told that I have the condition at the ripe old age of 24. I am not alone in the country facing this issue; across the country there has been an increase in the number of people diagnosed as being on the Autism Spectrum Disorder range.

Until around 18 months ago the Government provided funding to the National Autistic Society to allow them to assist people with Autism Spectrum Disorder

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Posted in Op-eds | Tagged and | 10 Comments
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