Are Asperger's Syndrome Specialists any better?

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I'm in the midwest of the united states and just diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome in the last 6 months. To the best of my knowledge and ability, there are specialists in children with all kinds of ASD's, and there are even local specialists for adolescents, but there are absolutely no specialists for adult ASD, much less asperger's, issues.

I've been seeing a psychologist that has some experience.... but I always feel like her methods that she uses relate more to an NT and this only frustrates me. That I know of there are no aspie support groups, no specialist, or anything of the sort around here. I have a few AS friends from the internet, but they aren't here and tiemzones make talking to them difficult sometimes.

So besides my AS friend or two I know from online, I've just been doing a lot of reading and trying to understand AS and how to deal with it. The problem is that I'm not great at communicating so anytime I ask a nt around here about if they deal with something- not knowing if it's AS or not- I get told "no, but I think that's normal" which isn't helpful at all.

In some ways it seems AS is everywhere in my life, altering the way I percieve the world/my actions... but then on the other hand I'm being told it's "normal" though I don't think it is. I just want someone who can help me sort this all out! Does anyone else deal with this? What do you do when there's no specialists around (or are the speciaists any help?)

Some specialists are good; others aren't. It depends on the person. Just because they're a specialist doesn't mean they'll be a good fit for you.

A good alternative to finding a specialist is finding a general counselor or psychologist who doesn't mind learning about adult autism and is flexible enough to dump the stereotypes and learn who you are and exactly how autism affects you.

I'm in Ohio and have a similar problem. Even our biggest local Autism center was unable to provide me with an adult specialist. I called at least 30-40 counselors with no luck. No one even had a name of anyone that specialized in our area.
I went to a general counselor that was completely clueless to Autism and Aspergers and decided to change to someone
that did diagnosis on Children for Autism in another State that was covered by my Healthcare. I am sure a general counselor could offer help in certain areas, but I want to talk with someone that understands Autism. I would rather not pay 5-10 sessions to teach a general counselor about Aspergers. I am going to my 1st visit with Child specialist tomorrow.
I understand your frustration, Maybe you can find someone that deals with Children and that might
be willing to talk with an Adult like I did. Good Luck

Again, I also have a similar issue. If you are a child with autism or Asperger's, there are places you can go for support. As an adult, there is nothing. I wanted to have my diagnosis further looked into and was told that because I'm an adult, there is nowhere they could refer me. Helpful eh?

Well, first off, the American Midwest is not exactly the Austrailan Outback, and one would certainly hope that they'd be a variety of helping professionals available. But apparently, indicative of the backward state of Asperger's / Autism Spectrum help and connection available, Wow, none available. Sad, disappointing, but not altogether surprising.

I guess they're trying to be reassuring rather than provide accurate information. And plus, a lot of neurotypical people seem to just not have the patience for the kind of detailed conversations I often like.

I think in the longterm, we're going to have to do it for ourselves. Maybe some respectful and helpful professionals, but I really think 70% of it will be self-help and self-advocacy. And, as we gain experience, we will get better at forming and building groups.

This is another good option. And the person can translate from child to adult. In fact, it would seem like a number of life activities and just living would give them experience in making this translation.

And some counselors are good, and some not so good.

Thanks for the info. it's all so frustrating. How do you find a good one without wasting a ton of monies?

Have you looked for any local autism groups and asked their suggestions?

Have you contacted and asked the person who did your evaluation for suggestions?

The person I'm going to start seeing once she's back from vacation I was referred to by the person who diagnosed me.

My school has an ASD specialist they hired just after the recession hit. I find her quite supportive.

I am from Ohio and I am having problems finding someone to actually get a diagnoses. I have looked around on the web for some one in my area that will do that but most of the psychologist around where I live only think autism/asperger's is only found in children. Because I need a lot of help in areas on helping me with getting a job to fixing my marriage. I so would love to have a support system if I really knew that I had it or not.

The office that I go to has a psychiatrist could probably be considered an autism specialist, but mostly in children. I got treatment there from the ages of 17-22, though they weren't sure at all what diagnosis I had. They said that I had symptoms of several different disorder, but they didn't all fit together.

I lost my insurance so I had to quit. When I got insured again, I came back. The Nurse Practitioner that I'd been seeing before told me that she'd gone over my records with the psychiatrist. She made me take an assessment, and I guess a got a score that was in the range for Asperger's, which is what they were expecting.

She put me on Namenda. There was actually a story on our local news about the doctor and his use of Namenda. He's pretty high in demand because of that, and I know he spends a lot of time with kids with autism. The nurse I see only sees adults, and she does treat them under the supervision of the doctor. I would imagine that she has had more experience with adult autism than the typical psych nurse.

I just got lucky with my choice of doctors. If you can find someone who works a lot with autistics, I'd go for it. If you can't, just find a regular psychiatrist that you like. A good shrink will help you even if he/she isn't an expert.

That is the way I think things should be. A person gets a variety of help that works for them as an individual, without being overly concerned about the diagnosis. I mean, a diagnosis is helpful, but it is not the end-all and be-all.

What is Namenda, and do you feel it is helpful for you?

One possibility is start more on the slow side, say every two weeks, which might give more time to think your way and esp. feel your way (which takes longer for me) whether or not this particular professional is being helpful for you. And as a patient/client and esp. as a human being, you always have the right to a second opinion and to go to another professional.

Thanks for all your sugggestions! I think I"m going to stay at the psychologist I'm at right now for a few more times at least... until I hear of someone better. it's quite frustrating. My next appointment is next Monday, so we shall see *crosses fingers*

Are there any teaching universities in your area? Can you hook up with that somehow and tell them your needs?