I am a 26 year old male. I have a successful career, a mortgage (which in today's economy, I count myself lucky to make the payment each month), and terrific friends, but for years, since as far back as I can remember, I have been trying to understand why I am "out of touch" with everyone else, including my friends, and why I am so uncomfortable around them. I knew I was different than everyone else and I never really thought of it as a bad thing. Personally, I found that it made me unique (and I mean that in the most positive light) and more "interesting" then other people. I know that might sound like a self-absorbed view of it, but I don't mean it in any egotistical way. Some of my friends, I get the feeling that they know I am "different" and they try break down the barriers I have, to understand me, but I can't oblige if I hve no way of understanding myself.
It wasn't until about six months ago that I was made aware of existence of Asperger's. A totally random encounter while surfing the web. After countless hours of reading books, websites and even lurking on these forums, did I realize, maybe I found what it is that makes me unique. I know the various quizzes are pretty flaky and I don't trust the results as a rock hard conclusion that I am an aspie or not (for the record, they all say I am). I am truly on the fence if I am or not, but I will admit, I identify with it and it's that missing piece to understanding myself.
The question I have, do any of you know of a web resource to find local clinics and professionals that can properly diagnose Asperger's? I just don't want to walk into a random clinic and say "I think I have Asperger's, can I get an appointment?". Does your PCP have recommend you to a see a specialist? I know that my medical coverage is a PPO, so I shouldn't have that issue, but I would like to see an online resource where I can find a local professional that I can visit.
