doctor thread? yes? no? maybe?

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hi.

edit: just want to specify, i mean doctors that specialize/work with ADULTS with ASDs.

i've read through the forums alot and i've seen alot of people saying that there are very few doctors that know about or specialise in ASDs. i thought maybe there could be a sticky thread that compiles a list of doctors that specialise in ASDs in different areas. it wouldn't have to be limited to one country, it could be worldwide and maybe help alot of people.

i know this forum has somewhat of an anti-diagnosis stance so i'm not sure how well this idea will go down. but i think it could be good for those who are looking for a reliable diagnosis.

Last edited by 88BK on 10 Nov 2009, 12:23 am, edited 1 time in total.

The parents discussion board has a Recommended Clinicians thread.

i guess i more meant someone who can deal with adults with ASDs. there are plenty of doctors that can work with kids, it's adults that have problems i find. i better edit my original post.

I think it is a good idea; however, I have no idea where the conclusion is drawn that the forum has an anti-diagnosis bias. Some people have lived their entire life with the label attached, where others spent decades living through their issues before the condition was codified to even a loosely diagnosable form. There are those here who only see those with an official DX as being a valid member on the spectrum, while others welcome those who see themselves in the criteria and experiences of others. Whether another person has written a couple words in a medical file does not define them, in my eyes... but opinions differ.


M.

maybe it's not anti-dx, but anti-doctor. i've read alot of threads here. for every person that recommends a professional diagnosis there seems to be 10 people replying saying that professionals are awful and unreliable and then it goes into blatant 'doctor-bashing'. that is why i thought this thread could be a good idea.

Both adults and parents of AS children have written in the thread in Parents Discussion. But perhaps it would be a good idea to have another one somewhere else as a lot of people dont go in that part of the board much and wouldnt see it.

Sometimes there are not a lot of psychs available though. I am considering going to a paediatric psychiatrist as there are not a huge number of adult ASD specialists where I am.

Last edited by zen_mistress on 10 Nov 2009, 12:32 am, edited 1 time in total.

yes, i for one have never ventured into the parents forum and never will as i do not have children. and i think that there are more people on the spectrum without children than with. it would surprise me to find out that people with an ASD who don't have children would visit that forum on a regular basis.

That thread in Parents Board is actually quite a good resource though. I need to look through it myself maybe...

Sadly though from my own investigations I am beginning to realise I am not exactly spoiled for choice with my diagnosis options.

I'm not sure if I would go that far, even... I think there have been a lot of bad experiences with doctors, a lot of frustration trying to overcome innate challenges in expression and communication. I've had a lot of issues with doctors - many as misinformed as the general public, or having strong preconceptions - but can not blame them for not specializing in everything. Would I like that 'official' diagnosis? That's a good question. It would put any lingering doubts that I have, yet there are already two doctors who agree that it is the most likely option. But I also don't see how it would further help me in any specific fashion, either.


M.

Among the generations that came up before AS was a dx, misdiagnoses and inappropriate treatment would been the rule, since they'd having something wrong, but literally couldn't be dx'ed with the correct thing. And the vast majority of focus is on children with autism, even today. It shouldn't be surprising that there are bad experiences, or 'doctor bashing' discussions about it. It's not made-up stuff, it's what really happened to people.

Having a list if adult ASD knowledgeable professionals is an excellent idea.

Last edited by Apple_in_my_Eye on 10 Nov 2009, 12:40 am, edited 1 time in total.

this is not a bad idea at all. i know this might be a bit out of line or forward, but if you do intend to see pediatric specialist i could give you some advice (NOT CHEATS) on how to get the most out of that appointment as alot of kids doctors don't seem to be to keen on 'seeing' AS in adults. this is a strategy of sorts that was designed to create understanding. let me know if you're interested...but yeh, i know it might seem weird.

i know it's real, definitely. the self-dx'd aspie group where i am has some real horror stories from many years ago. some of the 'advice' given has scarred some people. one doctor many years ago (before i was born) advised the parents to give their child a 'clip around the ear' whenever they exhibited stimming behaviors. that person who has now been officially diagnosed (but remains in the self-diagnosed group) also suffers from post traumatic stress disorder. very awful.

If you can offer some useful advice that would be good Yeah it is hard and I think it will be quite a while before more Adult ASD professionals and more help for adults becomes available.

I think a lot of that comes from the years of incompetent treatment and bogus diagnosis that so many people here have gone through. But usually that's the exact opposite of what you were saying.. it's not a problem with ASD specialists, it's a problem with clinicians who don't even know enough about autism to know when to consider that it's what could be the problem. Most of the adults here, especially women, have gone through years of treatment that was at best unhelpful and at worst abusive, because they never met a doctor who would have known AS if it walked up and bit their nose.

I mean, I got in trouble in treatment, was told I was bad and not trying because I didn't make friends. Nobody ever bothered to listen or to consider that I didn't know how.

Some do and I am grateful to them for it. From time to time, people without children will venture into the Parents Forum and give advice to the parents based on their own childhood memories. The people who do this are an invaluable and appreciated resource for parents.

Asside from what I have told him my doctor knows nothing at all, but I don't feel this interferes with his care for me. After all, having aspergers doesn't change a diagnosis of a chest infection etc. I just find other experts for non-illness issues.