I want to be an Asperger's Doctor

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..or something like that, maybe a Counselor specializing in Asperger's and relationships. So how do I become one?

Hi! I am Nico Noble, author of such threads as:

"An NT guy in love with an AS guy",
"How can one NT make one Aspie very much loved?",
"Could too much honesty hurt an Aspie too?",
"I think I like Aspies.." and..
"Anything you would like to ask an NT?"
*consecutively..

I think you could come to understand, from reading these, my attraction and how I develop my interest. Feel free to take part on those threads too, I would certainly appreciate learning more for I know I still have a lot to learn..

I'm a Nursing graduate, convinced by important people in my life to take that course because I can't decide what to take because I'm interested with everything. But when I graduated I do not want that job. So I got into PR management and Event productions because I'm also interested in those and that I am said to be "socially skilled" too, and I have a whole lot of history why I am such. But I'm being forced to complete all my papers or requirements as of this time in becoming a nurse, and settle all my credentials to be able to practice internationally anywhere; I'm okay with that..

Having said those, I really like to help and take care of people but I don't want to be a nurse, so I thought somewhere in that path i'll continue my education and become a doctor or lawyer after sometime. But my personality/character is also good at socializing and with people; and those are my interest too. I was told by people to work for advertising and marketing because I do really have a knack at socialization, that I get to understand people and know what they want and I know how to give it, because I also like making people happy. And personally too, I don't really like it when people feel less and especially sad. So before my encounter with Asperger's with the Aspie I'm in love with, and this website, obviously I'm still confused on my career choice.

But now, I've never been this sure that this is something which I like and want; all because of and hopefully for my Aspie love, even if it still is a love story fairytale that's just won't come true, and the friendship and care I develop for the people I found here, even with those that I haven't interacted with. I want to help with all that I could help with, I want to make things better. And it's also the best of what I have and want in a career or profession, maybe it's a calling.. And that will make my skills, talents and smarts; my entire existence have more meaningful use.

So what do I have to do to become one?
I wish there are online courses for the prerequisites of the specialization..
Whatever, so anyone know what I should do?

_________________
"If being in a wrong planet; I think I like your's."
NT, knighted Honorary Aspie for my love for an aspie..

I guess the first question is are you planning to go back to school?

I guess another important thing is what you mean by an "autism doctor". A clinical psychologist qualified for diagnosis and therapy is different than someone that is hired by say an autism advocacy organization to help with their offered services. The first requires extensive graduate studies. The second might not require anything but your nursing degree. You could conceivably be hired as a nurse by an organization that works with autistics and then they might help finance continued education.

Good luck!

Why am I not surprised

It would be great because it seems there is not enough doctors specialised and experienced with AS. I have no idea what the prerequisites are tho, but surely they can give you all the information about that at the college, or maybe others here know.

p.s. I hijacked your other thread again lol

Shadi

Well first you have to steer clear of Autism speaks, an organization that says that it seeks to find a cure for Autism, but has a bad reputation among autistics for their portrayl of us in the media and the fact that they are more interested in a cure than they care about the individual with Autism. There are other speculations abound, but I will spare you the rants.

Anyway, first you have to decide how you want to help people with AS.
You could go all out and get a dual phd degree in neuropsychology and linguistics and be a reseacher.
You could get a masters or phd in abnormal psychology with a focus on ASD and be a licenced psychologist who helps people with autism with social skills and problem solving and diagnosing

You could be a neuropsychologist who works at an autism clinic that does extensive neuropsych evaluations to help people with ASD set the course of their education requirements and the accomidations they will need to be successful. This kind of neuropsych will also help determine what will have to be done to help the client achieve his/her goals in life.

You could just use your nursing degree to be a nurse for autism clinics since many of them require a nurse to be there because of those with seizues and other medical problems

You could also be a councilor who focuses on ASD and helps people with AS with life mangament.

You could get a dual degree in non-profit buisness and abnormal psychology and start a resource center for teens and adults with ASD to learn social skills and help with job training and college resource help. This is much needed, there are alot more esources for AS children, but very few for those who were diagnosed in late teens and adulthood. Those diagnosed later are usually left to fend for themselves

You could also start a ASD homeless resource center as many folks with AS have a hard time with jobs and the ratio of homelessness for those with ASD is higher than the NT population. You could also provide shelter, job training, socail skills support and a support team for those going back into the workforce from homelessness, so if the boss has a problem, you could advocate for the AS employee and help smooth out the rough edges of the working relationship. You could also help with the problem solving and daily living skills training.

You could be a vocational rehab councilor who helps people with disabilities get scholarships for college, job training, work resource.

If you are techilogically minded you could be a person who connects people with assistive equiptment so they can use technoligy to overcome learning and social barriers. These are called technology resource agents.

maybe this will help

Oh My God JojoBean THANK YOU!! !! !! You're like a partial fairy godmother!! ! That help tons!!
Steer clear from Autism Speaks - Noted. As for the options that you graciously let me know, I want all of them!! hehe..
but no, seriously and being realistic as to what I could really achieve and do; these ones sticks out best!!

So maybe I could start with the first one and make way up to the third if I could..

_________________
"If being in a wrong planet; I think I like your's."
NT, knighted Honorary Aspie for my love for an aspie..

a councilor only requires a bachilor degree in pyschology, but if I were you I would double major in sociology as you will need to know the interworkings of how society works to help people with AS understand social skills.

For the second one, it is best to get the BA in non-profit buisness, and then the MA in abnormal psychology. That will be all that you need for that

You will find that despite an education, that you will have to self educate to a more narrow focus...you can attend seminars and read up alot and dont forget volunteer work. You can learn so much with volunteer work and schools and buisness look well onto those who do volunteer work.

You could do all three, but that is a lifetime journey
start with a BA in psychology and non profit buisness
be a councilor for awhile
go back to school and get a MA in abnormal pschology
become a licenced psycholgist for a while
Then do the non-profit thing for a while

Then go back to school for a degree in neuropsychology and linguistics and become a researcher

that would be the best way do to that

I am glad I could help; do your research as to what schools to go for

I would suggest you not get TOO obsessed with a specific long term goal such as a PHD in clinical psychology. You should get involved with the autistic community on a professional level as soon as possible and immerse yourself in that universe, keeping in mind a general direction (such as the potential for advanced studies and a PHD). Then you can explore different avenues and see what opportunities arise.

Just a thought.

Like everyone said, go into a program for people who want to be psychologists/counselors. If you want to get into the more medical aspects (i.e. diagnosing people, prescribing medication), find a psychiatry program.

Also, start reading about Asperger's/autism. It helps if you read stuff written by people on the spectrum, so you can understand how they feel. Speaking as someone who is ASD, reading stuff about ASD written by people who don't actually have it is weird.

seems swell

Dr tony Attwood

is one