How does one choose a diagnostician?

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I think I am about ready to make the leap of having an evaluation for AS done. While I feel fairly certain that I have AS, I would prefer to be correctly told that I do not, than to have an incorrect "yes". I have read so many stories on here about people being misdiagnosed that I am concerned, and I think that a misdiagnosis would be far worse than none at all.

The University of South Carolina Psych Department has recommended 2 psychiatrists in Columbia as being able to/having experience with diagnosing adults with Asperger's.

As a possible client, and a layman, what questions should I be asking them, to determine whether or not they truly are qualified? I have no desire to waste my time and money on someone who is a self-appointed expert - I can just talk to myself, if I wanna do that!

Suggestions?

So many times, people assume that people seeking an AS diagnosis are just looking for an excuse for the way they are - or for the diagnosis du jour.

I have made some inroads towards getting evaluated, but I am taking my time and making notes about my childhood by using the blog function on this site. I, too, would rather have a correctly rendered NO than a faulty YES. This is why so many people do self diagnose. I refuse to say I have AS definitively; I know that there is something there that pertains either to this spectrum or another.

Here's the thing, a woman I know who works at an agency in the field of Autism initially said that my social skills seem to be fairly well developed. But then she never noticed, in her rare visits to my homegroup, that I rarely share and that I tend to isolate during the hug break unless someone tries to engage me. And even then I feel awkward trying to maintain a conversation. To me, she should have known to ask some questions to get a better feel for who I am and where my head is at. We don't know each other that well.

I did mention some of this to her, and she did admit that ASDs come is so many guises and that no wo people on the spectrum will be exactly alike. But if a person approaches your case with that kind of bias, the outcome is going to be tainted.

I'm seeking diagnosis right now too, and would also hope that I get an accurate yes or no.
So far, I've seen the shrink once, and her assistant once (she couldn't see me again for a while due to busy scheduling). I have some faith in her, none in him (it's a short story, but one for another place).

To be honest, I'm just planning to pay very close attention to her questions, how much she asks about (or pays attention to) the reasoning behind my answers, etc. Many of the other possible diagnoses out there have some overlapping signs - but with different mental states and thoughts behind them. None seem to apply properly to me.

I think the most important thing to note, is that you shouldn't get a diagnosis too quickly. And they should wish to talk to your parents - this is because Asperger's and Autism start during childhood, and they need to see what you were like as a kid, from an outside objective person who was there to witness you. Though I suppose they could also rely on childhood teachers and notes in your report cards from those years. In any case, I've given permission to speak with my mom, and decided they can't speak to my father in this regard.

And follow your instincts. We might have AS but that doesn't mean we're ignorant. I'm sure you've encountered useless doctors (for physical issues) before... and have some instinct that can identify a bad one. Trust it with the shrink too.

Oh. And watch closely for (surprise them with) obscure AS issues. I caught my shrink's assistant not knowing what "toe walking" is. It's more often associated with autism and cerebral palsy, but a doctor who professes to be familiar with ASDs should know what it is.

Thanks for replying.

Well, I kinda AM looking for an "excuse" for the way I am - although I prefer to think of it as an explanation.

Yes - notes about my childhood. I suppose I need to work on that, don't I? I can probably keep it under 100 pages.

Regarding snap judgments - yeah. I told my psych professor that I thought I might have asperger's and asked if he could recommend any resources. His response was that I seemed "pretty social" and that I "don't have the flat effect & monotonous voice" that is characteristic of AS. But, but - I tend to be at my best in an academic setting, I was talking to a shrink whose manner makes him very easy to talk to, I'd had a semester to get used to him, and I've worked in call centers for about 7 years - where they give training classes on how to sound "right." Maybe he's right, and I will not meet the diagnostic criteria at this point - but I want someone who will give a thorough evaluation.

and, last but not least: HUG BREAK!?!?!??!

OddFiction:

Consulting parents, teachers, etc . . . that's gonna be a problem, unless they use an Ouija board. Parents have been gone for over 20 years, and I'm pretty sure all the report cards, etc., got thrown out. I can ask my brother if he has them, though - I might be wrong.

Hmmm, yes, trust my instincts on reading people. That always works well for me. I think that plays to what you bring up in your second paragraph, though.

Good point on bringing up obscure issues, thanks.

Thanks much for the suggestions - and good luck in getting an accurate diagnosis.

and, last but not least: HUG BREAK!?!?!??!

It was a TWELVE STEP MEETING...perhaps you wouldn't understand...

Oh wait - I remember thinking the same thing when I first started! I, too, am pretty when it comes to physical contact but I make an exception for this! However, I do not like hugging them outside of that context (when I see them as clients at my job or at a store or in the airport).

I wish there was someone in the field who knew of this site who would be willing to help us sort through the confusion of trying to help us understand our state of being better - whether it turns out to be AS or otherwise.

@ OddFiction
How does someone who "professes to be familiar with ASDs" NOT know what THAT is? Even I know what THAT is! I'm visualizing it as I'm TYPING this! Hey, does being able to visualize it make it less likely that I'm on the spectrum (OTS)? lol