Tony Attwood wrote back

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Earlier this month, I wrote to Dr. Attwood regarding his book "The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome" -- a loooong, rambling letter full of praise, and embarrassingly, my frustrations with the ineptitude and ignorance of "experts" in my area, blah, blah...Anyway, he wrote back, which absolutely surprised me.
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Dear [Hamster ]

Thank you so much for your email and I am delighted that you have found my book and work to be valuable in helping you not only to understand yourself but also explain yourself to other people. I do agree that it is a problem that there are few clinicians in the USA who really know about adults with Asperger's syndrome. Although you live in a State that should have many specialists, I am afraid there are very few in New York.

I hope to continue writing on Asperger's syndrome and your encouragement keeps me going.

Best Wishes

Tony
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Of course, now I'm obsessing over my long, rambling letter, and am fighting the compulsion to write an apology letter.

Anyway, I thought it was nice that he took the time...

WOW!! !

I have been thinking to write to him too and reading your post just amazed me!! !
You are so lucky that he read your letter and replied to you.

This beyond cool!! !

Star

I know! I admire Dr. Attwood so very much. If only there were more like him where I live...

You should write him!

Maybe I will, encouraged from your action and results.

Thank you Hamster ... and, by the way you live in my second most favorite place in the world: NY and especially NYC!! !

Star

I went to a conference and Tony Attwood was the speaker, obviously about aspergers. Good speaker. That's when I freaked out and started on the path of a diagnosis....and got that...so glad I heard about aspergers from him first...he certainly made aspergers sound like just a difference as apposed to a scary thing.

Wow! That's great! I too, read his book and was impressed by it.

You wrote an honest letter and you have nothing to apologize for. What a classy guy! Good for you, Hamster. Good for you.

That's great. Good job. =)


-SpaceCase

He seems like a really lovely bloke doesn't he?

This is too funny...I too just finished reading his book and have been psyching myself up to write to him as well. I found out about AS a couple months ago, and found that it described me to a "T". I have about half his book underlined; its like he was all up in my head or something. I've been calling around too about experts in New York, and he's right; they're not many at all! I also wish that they were cheaper!! !

Do you mind me asking if you are self or 'officially' diagnosed, and if you've met anyone competant? I don't know what information you have - probably the same as I - but I would love some feedback from you. My regular therapist of course doesn't have (much of) a clue, and I really feel as if I am wasting my time...

No need to write an apology letter...for what, voicing your gratitude and appreciation? If more people would do that, the world would be a much happier place to live in!

I'm somewhat "officially" diagnosed -- my shrink has already expressed verbally that she believes I have Asperger's, but she wants me to go through some psych test to confirm...She has begun cognitive behavioral therapy with me, which, to be honest, seems like a crock of s**t to me so far (pardon my language). We're at the beginning stage right now, wherein I must write down certain things that happen to me that upset me or cause me stress, and then write what my initial thoughts are, my feelings, and then possible alternative thoughts or actions...I'm finding this very difficult at present.

I should mention that I'm not terribly comfortable with this doctor, who, although very nice, doesn't seem to "get" me, as I wrote in an earlier post...She doesn't focus on the AS characteristics, and instead digs into my abusive childhood at length. This is not the reason I was referred to her. I want someone who will understand what I'm going through, help *me* to understand and deal with it, so that I may have a more productive life and be a better parent and spouse...I mean, seriously, I swear to god the woman said this to me in answer to my complaining about the bad day I was having as regard the bright sunlight, the movement of the car ride there, and the florescent lights in her office: "Oh, is it that time of the month for you?"

Not too swift, if you ask me.

I see her again on April 6, and it may well be my last session with her. I found the name of someone who claims to be a specialist in adult AS, and she's right near where I live, so I might just call her up.

I wish you luck. We here in NY are a bit screwed, unfortunately...

I actually live in Queensland where Tony Attwood is based. I've been thinking of contacting him myself with questions regarding AS support services here in Brissie. At least I know he'll reply to an email if I end up sending him one

I was actually diagnosed by him, after being referred by another shrink.

That's great, Hamster. Good luck with that.

And congrats and the reply. He's a nice guy (although I've had problems in the past with him answering in a timely fashion, but, hey, he's undoubtedly very busy, too. )

Oh, NO she di'nt!! !!

You have got to be kidding me...

Uhmnnn...you seriously need to see a new shrink, okay???

My present one doesn't know a lot about AS, but at least she's open to exploring that option with me. Have you ever checked out the NYU Asperger Institute? It's Clinical Director is Dr. Lynda Geller, and she was refered to me by an autism group (AHA) as specialising in Adult AS...

Best of luck to you too. Let us (me) know how things work out for you...