Do most therapists really not understand AS?

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Not that I blame them. It is difficult if not possible to understand something they don't have.

Most therapists believe that AS is solely a social disorder. It is so much more than that.

Mine views it as more a learning disability. She's mentioned it more than once. So at least I know going in what her views are.

mine specializes in aspergers but she doesnt think I have it, or she said it doesnt appear that I have aspergers but aspie traits. She said that I dont appear to be aspie because I'm clean and dont have hygene problems...which I find insulting because I dont think many of you guys are unhygienic....are you? I dont think she knows aspergers as well as she should

I woner how many counsellors/therapists out there are actually aspies themselves? I have found one here in Australia and she is wonderful, and I know that she understands it all completely. There is not that doubt that she is only going by certain books, articles, etc, she is going by all of that AND her own experiences and mind.

I realize that they won't fully understand the AS way of thinking, but they could at least be a little better informed about the topic.



"No hygene problems"? I'm just amazed at all the reasons that therapists give for denying a diagnosis. I have to admit that I do have some hygene problems, but in public I appear clean and decently dressed.

most who dont have it go by the book...which is very limiting...there is so much that never makes the books and the journals. I think all of you all who have crappy therapists should ask them to spend 2-3 weeks on the site to get to experience AS ground zero.

mine recognized it right away but didn't know how to work with me

Hygiene problems are not uncommon among children with AS because of sensory and/or transition issues. However I think in most instances, this clears up sometime during the teenage years when the person becomes more interested in finding a girlfriend or boyfriend, or by young adulthood.

But to say someone couldn't have AS because they don't have hygiene problems is like saying someone couldn't have OCD because they do have hygiene problems.

Silly, ignorant and misinformed.

I had to start seeing someone who I have nicknamed Manny Misdiagnosis. I am a previously diagnosed aspie, but he's talked about Bipolar Disorder, ADD, Depression, Anxiety... he's cited my abusive first marriage and my rough childhood as reasons for my conditions... he's just all over the place and nowhere right. He wanted to put me on a stimulant, which I already know will make everything 100x worse so I side stepped that politely! Well, the Depression and Anxiety is right (and that's why I have been on Wellbutrin) but he believes that because I'm not cold to my husband and children (I speak about them with great affection) that I couldn't possibly have Aspergers Syndrome. Dumb.

I'm trying not to get too aggravated with him because he's a necessary stepping stone to the psychiatrist, who will see the AS in me like every educated and trained professional has.

If the book says that all Aspies have bad hygene, then it's time to find a new book.

Yeah, that's the test for aspergers: hasn't showered in a while and dirty clothes <sarcasm> LOL
This kind of nonsense is just beyond frustration when you are in a therapy session and trying to sort things out. I really feel for you.

I am actually ritualistic when it comes to my hygiene, especially my clothes. I never wear the same clothes for more than once a day, except pants which I will wear for up to 3 days. I think I just realized why I am always doing laundry. It is not a compulsion for me, I just don't like to feel dirty.

I'm similar - ritualized hygiene. I wonder though if it's because of my issues with perfection together with childhood instructions. The idea that you always wash your hands after the restroom, brush your teeth once a day, shower once a day, etc. These were all things taught to me as a kid (I assume) and it's ingrained in my brain as the "proper" thing to do. It's not so much a compulsion in the sense that I don't want to feel dirty - it's more a compulsion for complying with what is the proper behavior. Not sure I'm explaining that clearly.

More on topic, it's really starting to annoy hearing so many people equating "difficulty" with "can't". For example: just because it is difficult to make eye contact, doesn't mean we can't do it.

The psychiatrist I saw earlier last year also thought I couldn't be an aspie for the same reasons; in his words "you demonstrate too much empathy towards your partner and children".

He also said that he was experienced in diagnosing Aspergers. Only the week before he told me he had dealt with a young woman who had been violent and the police had been called to her home on several occasions. The psychiatrist said that she had only started to change her behaviour because she didn't want the police called not because of any concern for the feelings of her family.

So there you have it folks, you need to have violent tendencies and behave like an emotionless robot to qualify for a diagnosis from a educated and trained professional.

I have dental problems. Does that count?

I'm actually wondering if there's a way, as an adult, to see a child psychiatrist. As I was in the room with the school psychologists who had observed my son in his classroom, they saw AS clear as day in me... and I was doing my best to suppress my compulsive movements, make eye contact, smile and speak in a friendly, melodic tone. Basically, I was in my "hide it" mode and thought I was doing pretty well but they still caught on. My son has AS and we were discussing his IEP.

So, it might just be in our best interests to find professionals who really deal with children because they seem to have the best experience in actually identifying these conditions!

Manny Misdiagnosis said to me, "You've gotten along for 33 years now." and I had to say, "No, I haven't. I was diagnosed AS last year and before that it was 32 years of criticism, accusations, insults and constantly disappointing people." I mean, what is that?! Was I supposed to say, "Gee, you're right. I don't think I need any help!"

They do not. It is like 12th century scientists trying to figure out quantum mechanics. Though, that example may have been a little bit exaggerated. They simply have no idea.