women can't be aspies according to my psychologist

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hey everyone. For those of you out there who don't already know me and haven't read my previous posts i would suggest doing so you can understand what im trying to accomplish. Let me try to sum it up, for a while know i was wondering if my psychologist thinks im so high function why did he give me a pddnos diagnoses witch sometimes can be seen as more severe then classic autism or is just for kids who are very young instead of as even though i cant qualify for as because i had delays in self help skills had ecoalia when i was little sometimes and need constant guidance especially in the morning where seep deprivation has made it impossible for me to go to school on time...............

To make a long story short i went to see a new social worker last week witch well so far is no better then my psychologist but was due to it being a disaster due to my ingront in denial and uncaring parents ( aka gaurdions) ( but ill get to that in a later post) any way she works with my psychologist and when she found out about my diagnosis she told me it was because i was a girl because he thinks as only occores in boys and girls will get pddnos. Do you think this is also why he wont diagnosis me with classic autism? Have you ever had any experiences with doctors like this? What should i do? Should i confount or have my gaurdions confront him about this?

Hi, I saw this on the main board and hope you don't mind me responding even though I'm a man.

Either a male or female can have classic autism. And the same goes for Asperger's and PDD-NOS. You can present your case and challenge the psychologist. You might have to ask for a second opinion. Which as a human being you have a right to do. Now, depending on the health care system, it can be slow acknowledging and responding to this right. And please don't let diagnosis be your only focus. For example,

If you want some help and support and company getting out and meeting other people on the Spectrum or just meeting people in general, please ask for that help. And hopefully a social service agency in your area can provide this help. (and down the road we will hopefully have our own self-advocacy and networking groups to give people one more good option)

Or help with school, including such things as note-taking or reading help.

Or help with executive function issues.

Or, when I lived in Vermont, I knew at least two people on the Spectrum who had supported employment complete with job coaches (the agency was somewhat bureaucratic but the job coaches were pretty good)

Or even help with artwork if that's a passion of yours

Your psychologist is patently wrong and her assertion is absurd. In fact, such a claim negates her credibility. Yes, you must let your guardians know so you can get another psychologist. She's nonsensical and I wouldn't even broach her on this silliness. Please do not waste your time (and money) playing with her.

Imaginary scenario: Tell her she cannot be a psychologist because she's female. After all, most famous psychologists are men and female psychologists are fakes. Your psychologist would laugh and roll her eyes, 'Why, that's absurd.' Yep, case in point.

I have vast experience with therapeutic abuse. (I'll not go into it her, but I survived an assault by a neuro/psych (un)professional and I've encountered a sexual violator who came to appts. drunk). Trust, trying to educate any neuro/psych (un)professional, justifying yourself to them and negotiating, is like banging your head on a brick wall. She's not worth it. Don't walk away, run. If you wish, report her to the medical board.

LabPet, I'm sorry you were assaulted by a neuro/psych (un)professional.

Thanks......never would I wish for that to happen to anyone, ever Now I am extra-vigilant and protective of others.

I'm sure the psychologist mentioned in this post is not abusive (or at least there is no such indication), but I also know when they're wasting their client's time/funds, even betraying their trust (or safety). jenisautistic deserves better than her.

Is it a psychologist or a psychiatrist? A psychologist is not a medical person and should not diagnose people as far as I know.

^ No.

A psychiatrist is an M.D. (medical doctorate) and therefore can prescribe medication. Conversely, a psychologist is a PhD (doctorate) and appropriately serves as a diagnostician. (MD is equivalent of PhD, just the focus is different). Now, a psychiatrist can also diagnose, if they so choose, but more often than not this is the realm of the psychologist.

However, this particular psychologist is inept in that she is ignorant of autism/AS diagnoses (re: does not know gender).

To the best of my knowledge, there's not medication specifically for autism. But there is medication for concomitant depression or anxiety we sometimes have. This medication is trial and error in a respectful sense, and it's also sometimes important to phase down from the medication in steps even if it doesn't seem to be working.

Your parents can delay you from good things in life, but please don't let them prevent you from the good things in life. They are not the only resource potentially available to you. There are the big ticket items of

1) education assistance,

2) job assistance,

3) independent living, maybe someone who comes in four afternoons a week.

4) but even if you're interested in theater for example, part of community support is helping you with your wishes and your life dreams.

Perhaps just say to your parents with matter-of-fact confidence, I want to get involved with a self-advocacy group. That way there's no surprise. And the group may later need to and be able to advocate on your behalf. (Of course some are more advanced and experienced than others. But we can learn skills of advocacy)

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On thinking about it, what your social worker said may be one of those half-joking but also half-serious things, that she wondered out loud and she said it that your psychologist had placed you in a diagnostic category because of gender stereotypes, rather than your characteristics as an individual.

OP, the first therapist I discussed AS with actually told me I could not have AS because I'm female, too. Luckily, I decided to get a second opinion from someone who knew what she was talking about and I hope you get the opportunity to do that, as well.

LabPet, I'm so saddened to hear about your experiences, especially since I can't imagine you were the only patient they abused.

That's (still) a common misperception.

I've been through therapeutic abuse (or at least malpractice) too, if not to LabPet's degree. Get out of there. Do whatever you can-- make that whatever you have to-- to see someone else.

That individual is ignorant. If they subscribe to that myth, who knows what potentially more dangerous myths they might also subscribe to.

If your guardians won't help, talk to your social worker. Talk to anyone you have to. Get support, but GET AWAY FROM THERE.

Your psychologist is a moron. File a complaint. Someone so willfully ignorant should not be treating patients.

Sounds like your psychologist either should never have passed her courses to become a psychologist, or she never learned much about Aspergers/Autism. She shouldn't be dealing with autistic anybody, because she's clearly an idiot.

Sounds like your psychologist is about a decade behind the current research.

Perhaps to bring him/her a reading list.

Well, ha-ha-ha. This psychologist seems arrogant. A rational person would consider evidence, or at least look up current research without completely dismissing you. Some people think no one can have more knowledge than them, especially if they have a PhD. You know your own body and mind. It's pretty well established females can have classic Autism. If someone isn't even willing to entertain why you are thinking in that direction, I would move on. I, personally, would call her out for her sexist stereotyping and audacity to be arrogant about something she does not keep current on.