Are Licensed Clinical Social Workers sometimes necessary?

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Hello,

Is it sometimes necessary for Aspergers adults to consult with a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)?

Can a LCSW assist with financial agendas other than Govt. payments and medical benefits?

Any recommendations for specific LCSWs who've been helpful with Asperger adults?

Thank-you

i do believe that some will get you help with budgeting.

Thank-you for your response CathyLynn,

LCSWs may be best suited to assist with such things as the all too often tricky wording in contracts. Assistance may also be necessary with advocacy.

The other option for assistance may be through life coaches. The concern with life-coaches is that there are too few guidelines i.e., qualifactions, best practices. Whereas, LCSWs must abide by professional guidelines.

Financial agendas esp. the issues that periodically go beyond the scope of day-to-day budgeting are best handled by Accountants (some Accountants offer affordable services).

I'm personally aware of an Asperger adult who was assisted in getting her art exhibited in a gallery; what I understand was a daunting goal for a person with Aspergers.

A volunteer, who is on the High-functinion Autism Spectrum and operates her own business, at our Autism center assisted this Artist "breaking the ice" so to speak with the art-gallery owner; as well as explaining the paperwork necessary to place an exhibit in a gallery.

The exhibit proved to be a boost for this Artist. Unfortuanaly, this volunteer at the Autism center had to relocate out of town. Hence the necessity fo finding a quality LCSW, life-coach, or best yet, getting acquaintated with a trustworthy person.

In short, what is often most successful for adults on the High-Functioning Autism Spectrum is being treated as a Neurotypical who needs that extra help (something in which I'm personally living proof).

Again, any specific recommedations for quality assistance?

I see a LCSW as my therapist. He actually doesn't consider me an aspie as I am high functioning and my mom drilled social niceties into me so I can "fake normal". But I also have other MI issues, so we don't worry about classifying me, rather we just have chat sessions. I call him my paid friend. I find my sessions with him to be very helpful with regard to not letting people get to me. He works with me to keep things in perspective and to not get discouraged.

I wouldn't ask my therapist to help with financial agendas other than in a vague sense. If I really need help, I would check out what social services are available for that. There are lots of agencies now who help people with financial planning since the financial meltdown. That would be a better route to go.

If you are in the San Jose, California area I can recommend him (although he is not specifically treating aspies). Just send me a private message and I will check with him to see if he is taking new clients, and then can pass along his info.

Enclosed are some helpful links:

Asperger Syndrome & Autism Consulting - Roger N Meyer.
http://www.rogernmeyer.com/index.htm

Brian R King Licenced Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with Aspergers
http://spectrummentor.com/

Find a Therapist, Psychologist, Counselor in your area.
http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/

If you're in close proximity to mid to large metro-areas, there will likely be a few choices of people who are LCSWs experienced with Asperger adults.

Hope these links are helpful!