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Has your psychologist got a diagnosis of Aspergers too?

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shubunkin
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25 Feb 2013, 1:48 pm

Hi there, there has been a lot of psychologist bashing in the last few days on Wrong Planet. To even things up ......

For LadyHawke , a musician diagnosed with Aspergers, it sounds like
finding out her psychologist also had a diagnosis of Aspergers was a really helpful experience.
(see interview below)

This led me to ask the question - how often does this happen...?
Have any of you had this kind of experience - has your psychologist or therapist ever shared their diagnoses or previous problems with you?

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-enter ... 17492.html



whirlingmind
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25 Feb 2013, 2:38 pm

Before I had my clinical diagnosis by a psychologist, I had a non-clinical assessment with an AS expert. I was so stressed about it leading up to it, that I was sending her all these emails and in the end she emailed me that not to worry, that she had AS herself, and if I had it she would find it. That just banished all my worries instantly, and gave me a sense of calm. She did find that I had it too, and it was a feeling of utter trust in her when I knew she had it. I knew that she would understand my thought processes and be coming at it from a total level of understanding. It did make a difference. Her son and partner also have AS, and she had degrees in Asperger's and autism as well as being a published author on the subject who has been recommended by Tony Attwood.

It was frustrating that legally this couldn't be recognised as a diagnosis though, in a way it was more of a formality when I got my clinical diagnosis. It was like a rubber stamping, but it was really necessary to allow it to be recognised legally as a disability and be on my health records.


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shubunkin
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25 Feb 2013, 3:04 pm

whirlingmind wrote:
Before I had my clinical diagnosis by a psychologist, I had a non-clinical assessment with an AS expert. I was so stressed about it leading up to it, that I was sending her all these emails and in the end she emailed me that not to worry, that she had AS herself, and if I had it she would find it. That just banished all my worries instantly, and gave me a sense of calm. She did find that I had it too, and it was a feeling of utter trust in her when I knew she had it. I knew that she would understand my thought processes and be coming at it from a total level of understanding. It did make a difference. Her son and partner also have AS, and she had degrees in Asperger's and autism as well as being a published author on the subject who has been recommended by Tony Attwood.

It was frustrating that legally this couldn't be recognised as a diagnosis though, in a way it was more of a formality when I got my clinical diagnosis. It was like a rubber stamping, but it was really necessary to allow it to be recognised legally as a disability and be on my health records.


- to get your reply straight away ... that is amazing ! I had a hunch that Ladyhawke wouldn't be the only one who had a specialist that had it herself - and to hear your story .. thanks so much for writing back .... I really understand what you mean about being stressed before your assessment .. I was in a state of panic for months - I'd self diagnosed, but I hadn't a clue whether anyone else would spot it.
The fact that you knew someone could understand how you think must of been such a relief...

Having said that, my assessor did strike me as a really thorough person, and some of the things she said did make me wonder if she was on the spectrum too..!
:D



lyricalillusions
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25 Feb 2013, 4:01 pm

I haven't seen a specialist yet, though I have a referral to see one and get properly tested. But I don't believe my psychologist has AS and I'm pretty much 100% certain that my therapist doesn't have it.


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blue1skies
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25 Feb 2013, 7:26 pm

I've never met an Aspie psychologist before. Are there many of them? Is it a good career for Aspies?
Just curious :)



kouzoku
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25 Feb 2013, 7:31 pm

My therapist has Aspergers and she is the only one who has ever been able to get through to me. Better yet, we have some of the same interests and dislikes so we talk on the same level. She genuinely cares for me because she understands what I'm going through.



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26 Feb 2013, 12:08 pm

I'm an autistic who is planning to be a psychologist.

Although I suspect I'll end up specializing in early childhood psychopathy instead. That subject fascinates me!



shubunkin
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26 Feb 2013, 1:35 pm

blue1skies wrote:
I've never met an Aspie psychologist before. Are there many of them? Is it a good career for Aspies?
Just curious :)


Well its interesting that with only three or four replies, we've already got two people that have had the same experience as the singer I quoted earlier - so ? Maybe aspies might make very good psychologists.... working with other aspies clients.... why not? The eye for detail, the insight, the love of science, logic and research : I can't see anything that would rule them out.

Can you?

in the same way that a lot of addiction counsellors are in recovery.... maybe it makes sense ?



shubunkin
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26 Feb 2013, 1:37 pm

Ettina wrote:
I'm an autistic who is planning to be a psychologist.

Although I suspect I'll end up specializing in early childhood psychopathy instead. That subject fascinates me!


That's great news !

I'm studying psychology too, not sure I will work as a psychologist though, but studying autism and Asperger's as part of my degree should be interesting...! But I love other subjects too, so who knows what I will end up doing...

But good to know that there are others out there with autism that are getting involved !

:lol: