Speaking as a New Zealander I can say that there is little to no adult support services. There are plenty of options for children, which is fantastic to see but the adult services are non existent.
Thats why I strongly believe in adult aspies creating sustainable services for ourselves. I see a great opportunity for people such as your self who have a clear idea that the public understanding is low and what things you would like to see as an available, beneficial and helpful service for aspies. Maybe you could start with something as simple as putting up some ads for a casual get together for any local aspies, and discuss needs, offer community.
I have been thinking of doing this for awhile too. I know an old colleague of mine who has heaps of experience as a group facilitator who also has aspergers, and I myself have worked in the social services and have a fair idea of how to hopefully get at least 1 group up and running. Hopefully creating a mission statement and working towards sustainability and then establishing community groups in some of the major cities and towns working towards a common goal of fellowship and support for aspies everywhere.
I remember my Grandfather always saying how much he admired the salvation army and the good work they do for people. After he died I tried to honor him by working for the salvation army. I worked for them in their addiction services and various other services for over five years. The most amazing thing I have ever seen and been privileged to have a small hand in, was seeing groups of people who had nothing, who were literally begging for food to survive come together and support trust and help each other. Having fallen through societal cracks that were still there for others to fall through, they began to find ways to try and mend them.
Someone in this community has a quote on there user profile saying, "Be the change you want to see in the world" I could not agree more with that sentiment, sorry I forget whom in particular that is.
That is so true, as Judge said NT' or the health services have no real idea of what aspergers even really is. Do we really want people who have no idea of our needs creating the services we will end up using?
We know our needs, we know what might help and what we don't know we can learn by getting together and talking about it.
Let us be the change we want, the change we need.
This community has some of the most intelligent, creative, compassionate wise and experienced people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. We have people with so many skills here, we have people with so much kindness and moral strength to share, people who together can shift the status quo, who can help save lives, change lives, bring about a better tomorrow.
We can shift the Zeitgeist of what it means to have aspergers, together we are strong.