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The end of the road and a new beginning - Advice for a 'new' Aspie

willowtree

Hello,

I'm new to the world of autism and after searching for three decades I've finally come to the realisation that my quite significant problems are rooted in Autism, specifically Aspergers.

I've known for the last year and have gone through periods of denial, and have been loath to seek specialist support & advice. Partially because I feel labels can be more of an impediment then help.

However, recent events in my personal life have forced me to rethink and thus here I am looking for some advice and pointers :)

I've been privately seeing an (attachment based) Psychotherapist for the last three years and have hit obstacles when trying to explain to her that her experince of me within the Therapy rooms is completyly different to how people experience me in the real world outside. 

She is a brilliant & compasionate therapist for whom I have much love and respect. She's gently guided through some very turbulant events in my personal life over the last three years. However, I feel like I've come to the stage where exposure to a therapist who has an in depth understanding of Aspergers could open up the way forward for me. 

So, question one is how can I find such a therapist in London ? 

Question two: I have very little contact with NHS medical services including my GP, as I find them of little practical help. However, I've recently been thinking of obtaining a profesional diagnosis but I'm very anxious about approaching my Doctor. What can i do about this? Is there an alternative to my GP ?

Question three: Are there support groups for intelligent Aspie adults who're keen to offer each other practical support / encouragement to be independent in employment and work towards managing their relationships without the classic melt down, withdrawls and super high levsl of anxiety.

I have lots more questions, but this is enough for now. Many thanks for your help.

Willowtree

 

 

 

  • Thanks for the comment, I'll follow up on the diagnosis advice and the London community forums. I'm pretty positive I'll return with more questions. 

    Regards my therapist, she's a wonderful attachement based therapist who really has helped me understand what it may possibly mean to relate and why, however she is very against the idea of High Functioning Autism and see's it as just another attempt to slap a label on and dismiss enviromental influences. 

    It pretty much came to a point where after three years seeing her I finally had to 'come out' as someone on the specturm and challenge her belief that what she see's in the therapy room is not me, by any streatch of the imagination, in the real world. 

    So far she's dismissed my attempts to explain my 'tantrums' and my inability to connect as me just overexagerating the difficulties I have. In fairness, in therapy I come across as a shy mild mannered well spoken man who is socially aware.

    Currently, I'm in an odd situation regards therapy. I like her immensly and have no desire to terminate anytime soon, but I feel I need to be with someone who is both sympatehic and has some understanding of HFA.

     

     

     

  • Loads of us Aspies have formed up together in social networks online.

    WRONGPLANET.ORG.  For the global community.  From here you can find us everywhere.

    ASPIE VILLAGE is a UK site.

     

    If you are London-centric:

    London Autistic Rights Movement is online now, which is an offshoot of Autistic Rights Movement UK, which I'm now involved in. 

    AUTISM LONDON.  A fine outfit, where I met my Wife. 

    Otherwise just keep Googling and looking.  Yes, there would be a difference between the act you use to relate to the NT world, and the truth you tell your therapist.  You are a unique creature, and have to compromise in order to relate to others.  There was nothing wrong with you I'd bet.  It was a lifetime of having to relate to others in an unnatural way that did you in.  Quite normal mate.

    x

  • Hi Willowtree

    Our factsheet for people with the condition which includes personal accounts, may be of interest:
    http://www.autism.org.uk/living-with-autism/adults-with-autism-or-asperger-syndrome.aspx

    The link Zoe has given above is a good place to get more information about about diagnosis.

    It is important that the person you see has experience of autism spectrum disorders. Details of diagnostic services can be found on our Autism Services Directory: www.autismdirectory.org.uk.

    The AQ test was developed by a team of psychologists to measure autistic traits in adults. It is not a means of diagnosis but may indicate the need for further assessment. If the results are significant it is also worth taking it along to the GP. The test can be taken at the following link: http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/9.12/aqtest.html

    It might also help to pass on information about autism to health professionals when seeking a diagnosis. The following page includes information for a range of health professionals:
    http://www.autism.org.uk/Working-with/Health.aspx

    The link to the Autism Services Directory above may also be helpful in your search for specialist therapy services and for local support groups. You could also use it to find out how to contact your nearest NAS branch who may have information about social/support groups in your area.

    Of course if any of our users have any suggestions, that would be very helpful.

    Good luck.

    Sandra

  • Hi Willowtree

    Re an attachment-related Psychotherapist with an in depth understanding of Aspergers - these are few and far between but in London you could do no better than Dr Peter Hobson at the Tavistock Clinic.  I would without question trust him with my son's emotional wellbeing.  Not sure if he is taking on patients but you could find out by ringing the Tavistock and enquiring.  The Tavi has block contracts with some nearby health authorities (not sure which ones) so if your HA is one of these, it should in theory be easier to obtain a referral. 

    You will probably have to go via your GP for a referral.  I know you wrote that you're anxious about seeing your GP and was wondering whether there is anyone who could go with you?

    Re diagnostic assessment - there is information here:

    http://www.autism.org.uk/About-autism/All-about-diagnosis/Diagnosis-the-process-for-adults.aspx

    Perhaps your Psychotherapist could refer you into the assessment process rather than your GP, as she already knows your case?

    Support groups - am afraid I cant help much here but am sure there are others who will know the answer to this question.

    I have great admiration for your tenacity and resourcefulness in having already got yourself to an attachment-related Psychotherapist.  I hope it all works out for you - best of luck.

    Zoe