Aspergers and Dyslexic Success

Written on the 12th of December 2008 by David Handel

I finished high school in 1981 with my teachers telling me I would be a failure. I became a carpenter and then a builder. At the age of 28 I was offered the distribution rights to a South African soil stabilisation product for making dirt roads longer lasting. I always had a never give up attitude. The stabiliser I was importing was too expensive and I was going broke - fast. The prospective clients I was talking to told me that their biggest problem was dust. So I researched and researched and started to make some products in my garage that would help to control dust. I made a lot of friends in chemical companies that would help me because of my friendly and different approach to everything.

I ended up developing a full range of dust suppressants for roads, rail, conveyors, stockpiles, etc plus a large range of water saving agricultural products that are sold under the Yates label.

My business now turns over several million dollars a year and I employ 21 people. My companys HRG (The Handel Research Group) and RST (Reynolds Soil Technologies) have been winnng numerous QLD Business awards and I am exporting over a million litres of product which has also seen my businesses win numerous export awards.

The businesses is still growing and we are expanding into a range of environmental areas.

I have alway struggled all my life with reading and dealing with people which caused high anxiety levels.

I continually had problems with reading and at the age of 40 went to a specialist who told me that I had one of the worst cases of dyslexia he had seen and wondered how I had got through life and also become successful. After the birth of my 3 child Damien who has Aspergers Syndrom I was put under the microscope again and diagnosed with Aspergers myself.

These two issues where huge hurdles to deal with growing up and through my business life and I was angry at first that I found out so late in life but no use worrying about it so I was actually pretty happy that I could explain my 'quirkiness'

I am different and have made a huge success of myself and my business support lots and lots of people.

I have such a positive outlook on life as it doesnt matter what hurdles we have put in front of us with focus and true blue Aussie determination we can be extrordinary individuals that can make a difference to so many lives not just our own.

I am now 44 with three beautiful kids. 2 are dyslexic and 1 aspergers and a beautiful wife who loves us all warts and all!