Who are the aspie experts?

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I totally agree about robert schapira. He seriously knows what he's talking about with both ASD and ADHD

I've seen four professionals, all have been experts in my opinion; a psychiatrist picked up my ASD when I didn't even know what autism was, the other three quickly saw my AS in short order (I'm one of those adults that missed diagnosis when he was young).

Who're the experts? Apparently anybody without Aspergers or Autism. Regardless of all the work done by those with and without who have already been mentioned here; the media and general society is rapidly paying alarming attention to the wrong kind of "expert". Apparently, according to some "experts", Aspergers Syndrome and Autism are a mental diseases that magically disappear upon reaching adulthood, with wheat & dairy-free diets, or by "training" to bring the "real" person back from Autism after they've been given it from a vaccine. A genetic mutation manifesting alternate neurological patterns? No! Why would anyone think that? It's too plausible to be true.

As for those who have already done proper work - remember, they are not 100% correct in all things. Most acknowledge this - much work is done by NT's, so how could they fully understand what is going on? Not everybody, too, possess the ability of self-analysis. Still, the people already mentioned here are better than the alarmists getting attention on shows like Oprah.

Besides, each case is different. Don't take the Dr. Phil, "One treatment fits all" approach. Depending on the severity of a persons problems, or what the person themselves regards as being a problem, different problems require different approaches.

Also, in terms of other experts, there is myself. I have done considerable research into Aspergers and Autism. I do not mean this as bragging, I do no such thing - I am merely stating a fact of my own abilities. In Australia, too, there are perhaps the best Autism organizations in the world.

I'm the same, Jimmy - and I'm in Australia as well. I have a great deal of knowledge, because I've made it my business to understand what this thing is. I've been like that my whole life - needing knowledge. That starts within oneself. Once you understand yourself and accept yourself - you are (IMO) an expert on the subject.

Mind you - when we start talking about effects on individuals, that changes the rules. Every Aspie's experience is different. That's when the expertise narrows. In Australia we are lucky to have Tony Attwood making his home here. That reflects on the organisations we have here, and the good social structure compared to say the US for example (where public health is not looked after anywhere near as well by government).

I tend to agree with the other suggestions - except for Gillberg as mentioned. I'm pretty cluey in general, but I'm not an expert. However if I get enough information I'm pretty good!

Just want to point out though, Jimmy. Even though the organisations in Australia are good compared to the rest of the world - we do still have a long way to go. I'm lucky that I'm in the most progressive state (Victoria - no offence with you being from South Australia!) what with the Autism State Plan in process here. But then I don't know what SA has - maybe you could enlighten me?

TLPG, you're a Vic? Well, no matter - nobody's perfect. Hehe. But, seriously, I completely agree that we have a very long way to go before we get real results with Autism and Aspergers.
That said, Autism SA is making an effort. But, unfortunately for people like myself - the effort is wholly directed at Autism. I have, of course, Aspergers Syndrome - and my parents solution when I was a child was to "help" me by making me feel more out of place, putting me with the Autistic kids. There is a difference, despite both being on the spectrum. Bad enoguh I was the only Aspergers kid everywhere I went. So, not a whole lot of support for people with anything but "mainstream" Autism - regarded as more severe because it is more apparent. It is actually rarer than Aspergers, and I am inclined to think not so bad - most Autistics are ignorant of anything other than immediate pressure by society and neurotypicals. Ignorance is bliss, they say.
Still, though we mostly fend for ourselves, some experts can offer a little aid. The trick is not to depend on it.

Also, feel free to say whatever you please about South Australia. Everybody knows that the Northern Territory is the best place in the world. Still growing - Darwin is really called a city only for expedience's sake, but excellent landscape.

It's pretty much the same with Autism Victoria, although they are starting to pay attention to us Aspies here. The Autism State Plan has helped in that regard, and I assume the Aspergers Syndrome Support Network (located here and in Queensland) has been in their ear.



Oh yipe! How long ago was this?



They say....that's a lot of nonsense. Ignorance (not wilful) of my Aspieness pre DX is what cost me my first job. Well actually I left, but only because I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown and the employer concerned didn't give a crap! But you're right about that being a trait of full blown Autism - especially LFA.



Quite right. Take in information, and make your own decisions. That's what I've done. And I pay more attention to trained experts than I do parents (beyond the basic information of course) when it comes to the Autistic Spectrum. Parents can only talk about their own child. Unless they take in the same amount of information as I have they can't claim they know more about the Spectrum than I do. OK, that sounds immodest - but in my experience I am yet to come across a parent who can match me for information.



The Northern Territory is the only "state" I've never been to. Maybe one day.

So can I talk about Adelaide's water? Or their trains?

I am an expert. Shrinks are not. Only someone who's been there, done that and is moving on is an expert. All the rest are guessers and experimenters with diplomas on their walls.

Simon Baron Cohen, director of the Autism Research Centre at Cambridge U. Has publically stated mathemtical talent is related to autism, is now searching for an autism/math gene. Studied under Lorna Wing, who first introduced the modern term. If first cousin to Borat, how cool is that !?

http://www.autismresearchcentre.com/arc ... .asp?id=33

Fred Volkmar, director of Child Study Group at Yale Universty, USA :

http://www.med.yale.edu/chldstdy/autism/staff.html

Michelle Dawson, herself autistic, who is publishing credible research showing that autistic people are a helluva lot more capable than people thought :

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/78795.php

Outside the research community, Temple Grandin and Tony Attwood are widely regarded authorities.

VMSnith, do you know if Volkmar is particularly adept at identifying ASCs? Or strictly the research side? (I know he's a researcher, but I'm wondering if he not only knows the ASC brain but also the people and our variety as well. I don't know anything about him personally.)

I'm reposting on experts who can identify ASCs via observation/interaction (in other words, people who'd make-- or are-- good diagnosticians):

* Dr. Tony Attwood

* Dr. John Ortiz (based in Pennsylvania, really involved in the Psychology of Music; began and heads the Asperger's Syndrome Institute)

* Dr. Baron-Cohen

And for people I would assume are good at identifying us: Temple Grandin, Donna Williams, Dr. Uta Frith, and Dr. Lorna Wing. I'm sure there are others, but these are ones I know.

The biggest concern for me are people who try to help, but don't know what applies to whom. Like I said, my parents put me in with full-blown Autistic kids about six years ago. I know they were trying to help, and knowing that was part of the reason I went along - but, eventually I did get fed up and told them.
Another problem is when people read information about Aspergers and think it applies to all people. My parents tried to tell me what emotions I can and can't feel. You'd kind of think I'd know that myself, huh?
The point I'm trying to get across is that I don't want help, I don't want understanding. I just want people to realize that sometimes, yeah, I might behave a little different than they'd expect - but otherwise just for them to leave me alone.

VMSnith, Simon Baron-Cohen is both correct and incorrect in stating Autistic people have good mathematics skills. Some people have exemplary mathematical abilities, others (like myself) have a real difficulty with such. Autism is a genetic mutation; the genetic structures dictating, now this is an oversimplification, what goes where and what connects to what - like anything genetic, it can vary from person to person. Same with memory - some Autistics have phenomenal memory, others don't.

TLPG, what I meant was not ignorance about having Aspergers or Autism, but rather Autistics being, for the most part, ignorant of their place in society. I know my brother is. Oh, and go ahead and say anything about SA's trains or water - hell, I've complained about them often enough. My solution for when the Murray dries up? I'm moving.

I go to Dr. Wikipedia for all of my medical advice.

Oh OK - sorry about that! The trouble with that is that NT's who think they know better won't make room for us - and some of us (like your brother) take that as gospel, and take it rather personally as well. NT's in effect say "fit in with us or you don't get a place in society". I know all about that, and I'm fighting it and hard!



You're actually going to wait until the Murray dries up?

Actually, I don't mind places like Murray Bridge. Adelaide's the problem - and I don't blame you for complaining about the trains! Worst system in the country!

I think you are right Jimmy. We need to learn the best ways to fit into a life we are comfortable with and learn what we need to not draw unwanted or negative attention to us.
99% of the population won't change the world and their ways for us. Sure we can improve things individually and to a lesser extent collectively but it is unfair to ask people to create the world around us.