Treatments for Autism

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Thank you

Yeah, I'm ok with the job for now and don't really feel bad about it; it's just not a great fit for me. I just needed to get back into the workforce and after trying to do so for a couple years I jumped on the opportunity. I'm glad I did, I'm happier now that I have work... but this isn't where I want to be, long-term.

I don't have a degree. I switched focus in school multiple times and had several depressive episodes that prevented this from happening. I'm really close to getting an Associate's if I do go back, but I have no idea where to go from there... no idea what field to study or career to pursue. At this point what I have is more a list of what I can't or won't do. You're right, I know what I want... I just don't know how to get it.

Any treatment could have risks... however, I'm willing to do my homework on the risks of anything I might try and to prepare myself for them. At this point, I consider continuing as I have been to be the greatest risk of all.

What do you have most of your credits in?

The pragmatic thing to do is to get a degree as quickly as possible--to show employers that you have what it takes to get a degree.

The other reality is socializing is easier when you are in school. And much easier if you take classes that don't you require to work hard--there isn't any rule that you can't start studying now.

Nope....not too much practical stuff there.

But there are jobs which requires a Bachelor's in ANYTHING.

Ever thought about going for something like X-ray technician? I knew a guy who seemed Aspergian (I knew him in high school in the 1970s, well before Asperger's was in the public eye). He got a Bachelor's in biology; could not do anything with it. Then went for X-ray technician and had a decent job for quite a while. There's a great demand for jobs in the medical field in general. At least some of these jobs are Aspie-friendly.

Or take a civil service tests, and get on the civil service rolls. You take a test, you're placed on a list based on the mark you got on the test. Usually, you're on the list for three years after you take the test. Who knows? Maybe you'll get called for a job.

I'm a civil servant.

I've thought about the medical field a bit. Really, it feels like plan B... my heart's always pulled me to politics in some fashion. I think I'll need some career counseling to figure it out. Part of the problem is a lot of what I'd like to do requires strong, intuitive social skills and excellent executive functioning. Once I realized that I felt pretty lost as I try to find alternatives.

At least you live in a pretty state with a nice climate.

We're baking here in NYC.

I'm interested to know what problems you have because of your autism.

My problem is interests my brain doesn't calculate interest in the same way other people's does that makes conversation difficult because rather than easily falling on a topic of common interest I'll end up picking the other person's brain asking them many questions to ascertain their interests or talking incessantly about something that they have little to no interest about. Conversation is not a pleasure to me but a puzzle with failure bringing embarassment and the experience can turn to painful flashbacks in the future.

Do you have problems with conversation?

My problem with conversation is that it can be hard to follow the pace of it or know what to say next. I've gotten very good at just seeming to be "quiet" and "a good listener" and tend to just let other people talk. I love people, but there's this barrier between me and them.

Communication and interaction with others is the main problem. I just can't keep up well enough, can't follow along, can't deal with unexpected scenarios. This is entirely unacceptable to me; I need to be able to do these things better but a neurological quirk is in the way.

Executive function is the other big issue; it's difficult so that makes it very hard for me to create and follow through on plans, and that's also a problem.

Stress and anxiety seem to be part of the whole deal... and then there's obsessive focus on one thing or another. It bring me little pleasure and I'm pretty much always worse off for it.

Stuff like sensory issues? I don't care. It's there, but it doesn't bother me anymore.

To be a great conversationalist, you need to say what your audience wants to hear. Or at least make it sound like what the audience wants to hear. Kraftie is much better at this than me on this forum. You might go back and review my answers on this thread and compare them to what Kraftie said.

For many Aspies, a guaranteed conversation killer is an honest answer to "what would you do?"

Kraftie was diagnosed with Kanner autism until age 5.5. I just happen to remember stuff like that. Who is more autistic?

Right, but knowing what they want to hear is very hard if you miss cues or don't find conversation intuitive. I'm at a huge disadvantage in the things I've found I needed to do what I feel is important, to the point where I may be better served finding alternatives.

I could try to overcome these difficulties, but have started to think that isn't the optimal way to handle the problem.

People do like to socialize with both the rich and famous--if you can't be rich perhaps you can work on being famous? An example might be some of those Star Trek actors who had trouble finding work because they were typecast.

Greetings. Here are some of the treatments that I am going to try:

1. Self-help books. I just bought two books: one for autism and another for executive functions. They are both for teens though, so they wouldn't be helpful for you I believe, but you could look into getting an adult book.

2. Group therapy. The (dumb in my opinion) psychiatrist I saw for a two hour session who is "suppose" to evaluate me (never did any testing whatsoever, she just talked to me) and said that I should do group therapy to learn about social skills. Also to get rid of my social anxiety. So I decided I will do that. I don't know where you are from (I forget if you have posted it on your info or not), but I'm applying to a place called "Kerry's Place". But I also feel they are for people younger than 18, or young adult basically. You need proof of a diagnosis for them, so I will provide my assessment.

3. Drama club/camp. This was also recommended by the (dumb) psychiatrist. She said that in order to get rid of social anxiety, I need to perform. I get panic attacks from performing at the moment, which aren't fun at all. But though this is mainly for social anxiety, she said you also get to act as someone you aren't. Like, you learn how you are suppose to express your emotions, how you walk, how you talk, which you can apply to the real world. Plus, you get to socialize with other people between breaks. It sounds interesting, but I feel I'm not there yet.

Hope these ideas help . Also, if you do, for some reason, want the names of my books, just reply here and I can tell you. I just ordered them two days ago, so I don't have them yet, and I'm waiting for them to come in, but they have good reviews.

AJ I sent you a PM about this. You may like it.

@MentalIllnessObsessed: Interesting ideas. Acting could be fun, and very helpful. Maybe I'll look for some classes.