Eliminating RRIB's?

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I'm autistic and I have repetitive and restrictive interests and behaviors (RRIB's). I've been seeing a psychologist lately and he said that I seem to obsess over things; I clarified with him that it's a manifestation of my autism spectrum disorder as I actually enjoy these "obsessions." I made clear that these RRIB's are different from obsessions and compulsions by virtue of their being entirely ego-syntonic. He said he did not know that and admitted to not being an autism expert--he's an adult psychologist; nevertheless, he made clear he still considered them "obsessions" and that he was going to consider them in the same way. Later, he said that these "obsessions" might be causing my problems with motivation. At first, I didn't think much of it; I usually have a hard time understanding the meaning behind people have on the spot and usually need to think the conversation afterwards to understand.

After thinking it, it seems that he intends to try to eliminate my RRIB's, which I've read is a folly. Eliminating a set of RRIB's and would simply give rise to another, which would be dictated by the patient and could be worse. There's also the question of resistance from the patient (and oh yeah I would resist). Instead, what should be focused on is stress, the reduction of which should lower the frequency and intensity of the RRIB's. Unfortunately, my psychologist, who admits he is not an autism expert and seems to consider RRIB's in exactly the same light as obsessions and compulsions, does not seem to understand that.

What should I do?

New psychologist? There should be an understanding of the RRIBs providing a type of structure. The focus should be more on substitution vs elimination, and he should have that understanding to be able to help.(In my own layman's opinion.)

So. He knows they don't come from the same source, they don't manifest the same way, you enjoy them etc. What is his motivation here? You not being normal enough? Change psychologist.

Your psych does not need to be trying to get rid of rribs as they generally help with stress. I would clarify with your psych what his intentions are and if he wants to eliminate your repetitive behaviors and is not dissuaded from that idea then I agree that you might want to look for anew psych.

Yeah, the guy doesn't have any clue. They are not "obsessions" in the same sense that OCD obsessions are. And he even admits he hasn't had thorough training.

If he's not willing to learn about this, then you're going to find someone who is either trained or is willing to learn. Give him one more chance; maybe print out an article or two about autistic special interests and routines, make it clear they are not what he thinks of when he thinks of "obsession"... If he doesn't listen, then you'll have to switch doctors, because this one doesn't know what he needs to know to treat somebody with autism.

Thanks, all. Now, in case he is trying to eliminate my RRIB's and will not be dissuaded, what do you recommend for finding a psychologist who can work with autistic adults? I've called and left a message at my local NAMI chapter, but are there any other resources?

Why are you seeing the psychologist? My answer would differ depending on whether it's an autistic-specific reason or something where a non-autistic person could have the same problem with the same treatment needs.

For example, I have PTSD and autism. My PTSD is an unrelated condition, and I haven't found any research suggesting that autistics with PTSD need different PTSD treatment than NTs with PTSD.

So, if I'm seeking help for PTSD, I tend to avoid someone with expertise in autism. I look for someone who's experienced with PTSD and willing to let me teach them about autism. The times I've gone to someone who knows autism for PTSD help, I've gotten the same kind of issues as you're having.

On the other hand, you can't do that if you're wanting autism-specific help. In that case, I'd say to look for an autism specialist, and find stuff they have online about autism. If they have 'autism as a disease' stuff, look at whether it sounds like they're just echoing someone, or whether they seem to have come up with it themselves. If the latter, then avoid them. (An example of just echoing is if they cite sources and are no more negative about autism than those sources are - or even more positive.)

Don't know if this'll help you, but it's worked out for me.

Ettina,

Thanks for the response.

1) How do you find psychologists' websites for a particular area?

2) It started out as something else, something that had been bothering me more recently; but it's starting to look more like the autism may be at the core of what has been going on. Because of that, I'm thinking it may be appropriate to get autism-specific treatment.

Google the organization plus the area - that's how I did it.

What organization?

OK. I've made an appointment with someone who can possibly help. She's a child psychologist, but she's willing to see an adult at least for a consultation; she says she might refer me to someone who can better help. Since I have been having difficulty finding a good provider, it would be useful to see who she can recommend. After all, the children she sees grow up, right? She might know someone better.

That reminds me. I might want to call my old adolescent psychiatrist to see if he knows anyone who's effective at treating an adult with autism but who also has adult-specific issues.