Who should we see and what should we expect

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faithwalker
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27 Jul 2011, 9:07 am

I was wandering if a psychologist is who we need to go to and if so what should we look for when figuring out which one would be best for us? Like do we need to ask if they have experience looking aspergers in adults? Should we even suggest that is what we may think it is?

Or should we just tell them everything about her life from when she was young to now and not mention it at all? Or both?

Also do you guys know of anyone in Ohio in Columbus or south of Columbus that you would recommend? For that matter is there any of you from Ohio?

Sorry for all the questions, I just want to make sure we go about this the best way we can.

Thanks,

Faithwalker



K-R-X
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27 Jul 2011, 9:27 am

You would want someone who specialises in Aspergers and Autism. They can be hard to find though, so someone with experience dealing with Aspergers and a specialty in childhood devolipmental disabilities should work too (it did for me). Aspergers often looks different in women, so the best you could find is someone who has experience dealing with Women who have Asperger syndrome.

Check online and see what's availible - the Autism Society of Ohio would probably be a good place to start.



pollyfinite
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27 Jul 2011, 9:30 am

I would find someone that has experience with the ASD. Maybe call an autism group in your area and ask for referrals. Even if it's a child's psychiatrist, they may know who deals with adults. I would let them know you think it's aspergers because they may not be looking for that, and this way they can discuss with you why you think you have it. I would really really suggest to keep looking until you find a doctor that seems to listen to you and know what he's talking about.

I just know from experience that going to a doctor that isn't aware of what to look for, you can get misdiagnosed. When I was a child, I was diagnosed with "Tourette's like PTSD" because my father was a convicted child molester and they were certain that my tics had to come from that. It took a neurologist to tell them no, I have tourette's period. And I was finally able to get some help. Being misdiagnosed gave me a few years of frustration and working on my PTSD and feeling like I was failing because I couldn't get over the outbursts.


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wavefreak58
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27 Jul 2011, 9:48 am

K-R-X wrote:
You would want someone who specialises in Aspergers and Autism.


This is critical. Asperger's and autism have enough overlap with the symptoms of other disorders that it is very easy to get misdiagnosed. A true expert in autism will not have rigid ideas about how autism presents itself in adults. Even if a psychologist claims to be an expert in autism, they could be one of those so fixated on classical ideas of autistic behavior that they refuse to diagnose people simply because they got married (autistics can't form relationships?!?!?!?! :evil: ) Some even bias their thinking towards males, assuming the adult females are rarely autistic if not presenting with severe symptoms.

You would do well, IMHO, to learn as much as possible about autism, but to keep an open mind. The goal here is to improve your relationship with your wife. Autism will explain things, but it is only an explanation. After you understand what autism is and does, you will be able to make changes that adapt to that reality.


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faithwalker
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27 Jul 2011, 11:11 am

We will defiantly be looking for someone that specializes in both Aspergers and Autism. I totally agree with you wavefreak58 about pyschologists that claim to be an expert but are fixated on old stuff. I have not seen any as this is new but I can see that happening. Just because you have a degree in something doesn't mean your good at it, just think you are. Its not fair to those that are seeking help and paying for it to be treated like that. I would be really upset if we was turned away just because we are married. That's just insane!

Society seems to have it all wrong with this, and that does bother me. Makes me really keep my guard up and to really research and get all we can before we go to someone. We live around Chillicothe, and it seems like most places are just drug givers around here when it comes to these things. I think its more a money making thing to them. Hope we can find someone that actually cares.

Faithwalker



wavefreak58
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27 Jul 2011, 12:21 pm

faithwalker wrote:
I would be really upset if we was turned away just because we are married. That's just insane!


Sadly, this very thing has been told to people with Asperger's and autism.

Good luck on your quest.


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