Published on 12, July, 2020
When I was mentioning my social interaction difficulties to the nurse yesterday she said I was ok one to one. I saw that as something of a dismissal of my issues. I pointed out to her it was because it was factual(we were going through my life history). I also pointed out I have great difficulty initiating conversations and making small talk.
I could never just go up to someone and start a conversation, but if they approached me ,and talked to me, I would be polite enough to reply as best I could.
I personally don't see that being 'ok' one to one within a certain context is a sign that that applies across the board. Unless the thinking is if you are on the spectrum you are just bound to be antisocial , and not engage in conversation whatever the background factors. If you can engage with conversation at all then somehow you don't have problems that way.
I can certainly see how you saw this as being dismissive.
Possibly the NT nurse was attempting to reassure you that, compared with the wide range of individuals she encounters, your reported symptoms are likely to impact you far less than someone who is non-verbal?
i.e. I'm wondering if the nurse was actually having one of those "read between the lines" conversations with you, and was trying to get you to focus on the positives rather than dwell on the negatives?
Mmmmm... can someone who has experienced CBT please chime in here? Does CBT work the same way, trying to get you to rationalise things and see the positives? If so, I can now see how CBT might not work for some of us if it is demonstrably attempting to ignore objective facts. I think that would wind me up no end...
I had a fun one about 3 months ago...I was trying to find a counsellor who was specialist in ASD...just to help with the adjustment of coming to terms with everything...
she messaged back, following my request to see if she would "take me on"...she offered me her phone number so we could talk about it in a phone conversation...
i lost faith with her at that point....due to her fundamental lack of understanding that i really struggle on the phone unless I have a script.....
anyone...end result....she decided as she lived in the same small town as me...her seeing me might impact on my social circle.....- i replied.....i didn't realise i had one!
what a tricky customer I am! - lol....but in context...the people I choose to open up to .....are few and have very strict criteria to meet!!!
i find 1-2-1 slightly better as I can interpret a bit more.....group conversations...i fail at!