Families of Adults Affected by Asperger's Syndrome

For graduate Martin Hedley who has Asperger’s syndrome being unemployed for the past 10 years is a situation he cannot understand.

“I did a degree… but I’ve got a debt of £14,000 and I’m on benefits – that’s completely mental,” he says.

He is among about 88% of people with the condition who are currently unemployed in Britain, according to the National Autistic Society.

The 44-year-old singer-songwriter from Weymouth, Dorset, has been out of work since he was diagnosed.

He was previously working as a mechanic and a self-employed wood turner but has struggled to find suitable employment since his diagnosis.

Asperger’s is a form of high-functioning autism, which often leads to intelligent and capable people struggling with social situations.
‘Like a curse’

Common workplace problems, like a change of routine, can make them stressed and anxious.

“My brain never ever stops analysing things, over and over and over again,” Mr Hedley said.

“In that sense it is like a curse because it just never ever stops.”
Rowan Hedley Mr Hedley’s daughter Rowan said her father can be “child-like” because of his condition

After years of failing to find employment, Mr Hedley decided to set up his own community project to renovate a historic building in Weymouth.