Psychologist/Psychiatrist for Asperger Adult in D

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Hi, new here, and not sure where exactly to post this request for help, so I'll start "Generally".

Can anyone recommend a psychologist/psychiatrist/therapist is really GETS adults with Asperger's Syndrome in the Dallas-DFW area?

Our son is 35, lives independently in his own house, has worked in his job for 11 years. He was dx'd with Asperger's at age 9, the first year it appeared in the DSMIV (I realize AS has been lumped into ASD now). Lots of intervention early on, and he was always mainstreamed in school (recommended by his therapist at age 5). Very high IQ, in T & G classes, went to college but could not cope.
It would take a little while for you to realize he's on the spectrum if you met him today.

Bottom line: He still experiences pretty extreme social anxiety. He self medicates with alcohol (he also takes a prescript drug - not a good combo). He doesn't drink to excess EXCEPT when pressured socially.
Long story short:
He has asked me to help him find a new therapist (his last one - since age 18! - have mutually agreed she cannot continue to treat him. She has never really 'believed' he was AS - another long story, just kept trying diff drugs)

This time, he wants a psych who KNOWS Autism Spectrum Disorders. He did do a course of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation a year+ ago - no help at all. He's interested in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or maybe even IOP (Intensive Outpatient Procedure) to help him know how to deal with his social anxiety and not turn to alcohol.
I've looked extensively and many therapists claim to know AS, but I thought I'd come to the folks who REALLY know who does and who does not.

Any help, please? Please?

Welcome.

I'm not from the Dallas/Ft. Worth area---so I wouldn't be able to offer you something tangible.

There are a few people here from Texas, though I don't know if any of them are from DFW.

My nephew graduated from SMU---that's my connection to the area.

I feel like the only thing you can do, really, is "shop around." Have him speak to a few therapists---until one of them clicks.

It would be nice: but I doubt anybody here can offer a specific recommendation for a therapist. I do hope I'm wrong.

Thanks so much for taking time to reply.
I sure hope you're wrong, too....having to just look around and try to find someone who clicks is the reason he stayed with the therapist he had from age 18...he dreaded having to deal with the frustration of it all, having to tell his story multiple times, etc.
Hopefully, someone local will be able to chime in.
Again, I really appreciate your input.

Maybe try the DFW autism or Aspergers society----or whatever they are called?

Perhaps this organization might have therapists on their staff----or someone affiliated with them.

Has he obtained a new diagnosis recently? "Officially," there is no more Asperger's, though I still believe in the concept of it.

I've written to the Texas organizations who have basically just given broad advice, or very few specific recommendations - and one was in Houston, not DFW (3.5 hrs away). Thanks again.
No new dx, but one doesn't grow out of any flavor of autism, IMHO. One just learns to navigate (although a person's maturity and life experience can certainly change the way one interacts with the neurotypical world.)

According to the DSM-V, he would probably have "Autism Spectrum Disorder, Level 1, without speech delay or intellectual disability."

I go back a LONG way.....back to the days of "infantile autism" and "brain injury."

One doesn't "grow out" of autism-----but almost all people improve from their original state of autism. Like you said, people adapt.

I adapted...but I'm still not perfect. At least I stayed at my clerical job 40 years and will retire in about 2 years.

it sounds like what you're looking for is miracle worker. it'd be interesting to see statistics on how many of these psychologist/psychiatrist/therapist have actual helped anybody with ASD. somehow i doubt the percentages are very high. i think you might be better off finding a hypnotist. or a priest. or maybe even a witch doctor. the end result probably wouldn't differ.

I don't agree with the above.

Many people with autism spectrum disorders do well---with therapy and without therapy. There are people here who are mothers and fathers, have advanced degrees, are professionals, despite (or maybe because of) having an Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Part of recovery is the client wanting to "help his/her self." Be an active participant in the therapy. Don't expect the therapist to do all the work.

Coping skills can be taught and they can be learned.

By pretty much anybody.

Perhaps a therapist with extensive experience dealing with social anxiety can provide some guidance.

In truth, if your son makes a friend who sees the virtue in him, and is relatively socially proficient, this friend could possibly do just as a good a job as a therapist.

Yeah maybe you can be helped to a degree. but damn, "Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation" "i don't even know what that is but (it sounds like something out of cookoos nest/clockwork orange) it sounds like you've tried everything under the sun and to no avail. I think sometimes you just have to accept that not everything in this world has a cure, or a fix, or a remedy.

"In truth, if your son makes a friend who sees the virtue in him, and is relatively socially proficient, this friend could possibly do just as a good a job as a therapist."

He's made friends. Most have moved away. His closest friend just moved a year ago.

He can make new friends, then.

What sort of work does he do?

Making NEW friends is the crux of the problem - "social anxiety", remember?
He thinks he can only interact after a couple of drinks (or more).
He has acquaintences at work but no one he WANTS to be friends with there (it's an industrial "Covid essential" science environment, I won't get more specific to protect his privacy).

I just want to help him find a competent talk therapist.

I understand.

I wish I could help.

I hope someone from the DFW area will chime in.

All I'm trying to do is to try to offer alternatives.

Sounds like your son is doing some very useful work.