So, I may not be *totally* aspie after all

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Sometimes I wonder and have my doubts about AS because it's something where a lot of the outward symptoms come and go for me. I guess that just has a lot to do with the intellectual effort that I've put in over the years to be cool with touching, eye contact and social skills in general, sooner or later you actually become good at it...

I think it all depends on whether you want to be an aspie or not. Personally I feel it helps understand myself and my limitations, but it would also feel nice to be "normal".

Maybe it's a placebo like mind trick, as in you are made to think you are normal so you end up trying harder to act NT

The worst thing is, it might be true.

I love physical contact and I've never had a problem with eye contact. Does this make me NT? Oh no!

Define "odd"?
For delusions, psychiatrists have agreed that the important part isn't the content of the belief, but the form. Should be true for obsessions, too (although it probably isn't true at present; I bet they judge the "normality" of the obsession too).

Dear oh dear. Is this guy reading from the 1905 version of the DSM? What's a 'true' aspie when it's at home? Your guy sounds way off and, frankly, very ignorant. No adept, self-respecting, educated psych would make such crass pronouncements. He could damage you. Please get yourself a psych who didn't get his practising licence from Walmart. (And send him to see me - I'll gladly set him straight! No, really, I mean it, show him these posts and tell him to get in touch.)


Meanwhile, look after yourself and good luck with your seeking. I hope you get every good thing you want.

L (aka 'The Cuddler' - on a rant)

Some things I should have added at the beginning:

-Sure, the psychologist doesn't look to me as an AS expert (his claim that people label anything who isn't a total deep autistic's behavior as AS is proof enough), but he isn't a garage practitioner either. If I wanted to pursue a therapy totally related to AS, he gave me the number of one of their colleagues who has a child with AS and, in his words, is among the best in the area if you want to ask anything AS or get DX'ed from that point of view. Coming to think of it, I could certainly use a second opinion.

Truth is, I'm not looking forward to get my AS (or whatever it is) "cured" - main reason I'm doing this is because I need to improve my experience with the opposite sex, something that may or may not be related to AS on my personal case. As I said, I'm still beginning with this here. On next session I'll determine whether I'm doing fine with this or should I call the other person.

OK, I'm calmed down now

The thing is, this psych doesn't sound at all like he knows anything about AS. You are a) presenting with some troublesome social issues that may be AS generated, and b) your aim is to get on better with people and particularly women.

Given this man's opinions and perhaps biases, if you are an Aspie then how can he possibly treat you or offer you any help? (And ASDs are notoriously resistant to talk therapy/psychologising because it's a physiological thing, NOT a psychological issue that can be altered with some magical, positive thinking.)

It seems that you have a strong inkling that you are on the spectrum. That would explain some of the difficulties with women. But, because of your mutual lack of knowledge (him about the actual condition and manifestations, and you about your actual place on the spectrum), you could end up with either inappropriate counselling or only apart of the issue addressed.

If you are an Aspie with difficulties with women and wanting the best treatment for you, then (forgive me) I think you really do need to see someone more understanding and competent (and less dismissive) for a proper diagnosis.

take care.

I second what Lupin has said. If AS is trhe reason for your difficulty with meeting/interacting with the ooposite gender, than some of the NT-orientated "solutions" to this (E.G visitt more bars/night clubs/ social groups/ datoing agenies) will be totally Aspie-unfriendly suggestions trhat many aspies (myself included) would run a mile from!

Please, ask to see this AS specialist and get yourself a test and diagnosis (of AS/ASD or not being AS/ASD, whichever it is) and then if neccessary go BACK to your current specialist, but I think, for the reason above, you should get that seco0nd opinion-in this case, you DO NEED to know.

I hate eye contact, but I LOVE touch (as long as it's firm, and/or expected, not painful and is meant in a friendly way. The sort of touch I enjoy can actually overload me in such a pleasurable way that a friendly stroke on my arm can very rarely make me almost collapse-rather embarassing in a public place.

Obsessions? Yes, I still havev them, bout not all of them were or are odd-more just very intense.

JulieArticuno

oh lucky you!!