Diana Award Press Report

[Gareth Roberts]

The following will be published in the Diana Award magazine:

I was nominated for my Diana Award by a teacher from the RMCH School (Royal Manchester Children�s Hospital School).
I attended RMCH from age 14 � to 16 years. Previous to this I had attended various schools where due to my difficulties I was bullied and became depressed, so much so, I didn�t feel I could cope with life anymore. I missed a lot of my education and school life at this time, due to the difficulties I encountered.

I then I started attending the Hospital School, where I studied hard with a smaller group of students whom were much more understanding. With the help of my teachers I was able to attain good GCSE grades which surprised everyone, as before I moved to the Hospital School � because of the lack of understanding of Aspergers Syndrome at the time I was placed at a Special School for people with learning difficulties where I was not studying at GCSE level. At the Hospital School I quickly caught up to GCSE level and was able to take my GCSE�s before leaving. At my time in the Hospital School as I was able to overcome some of my difficulties at my own pace I was able to further understand Aspergers Syndrome, which then started the development of the Aspergernauts Website.

I felt my experiences would help other people understand about Aspergers. The Aspergernauts website aims to help other children and young people with Aspergers Syndrome, however I have since further enhanced the website as I�m growing up to feature newer information which may be of help to professionals, parents/carers and teachers.
I have received many e-mails from people all around the world asking for advice and insight into the world of Aspergers and I am proud to have been of help to so many people via the website.

The Internet is a growing medium, and I am constantly growing the Aspergernauts website to offer more advice and information for all types of people whom may visit the website. With several thousands of visitors a day � Aspergernauts.co.uk has sure been a success I maybe never expected it to be. I�m glad I have been there to help people not just in the UK, but from all over the world.

The website has since been redesigned to offer a clearer navigation, better search engine optimisation, better visibility and updated information. Hopefully this will be able to widen the Aspergernauts audience.

Furthermore, the website has now been adapted to feature a new forum which allows young people ask each other questions, or help each other. This has also proven useful for parents asking questions. Although since the change it hasn�t had as many visitors as the older forum � I do hope this will increase in time.

Aspergernauts was not designed to be "just another website". It was clearly developed to offer a website where people could find solutions to the less positive sides but meanwhile focusing on the good sides of having Aspergers Syndrome, such as higher intellectual knowledge in key areas.

I am very proud to have been part of the Diana Award.

If you�d like to see the Aspergernauts website, please visit http://www.aspergernauts.co.uk

[aspiechick2005]

I wish someone would nominate me... i work my butt off.