Can an Aspie be a good behavioural therapist?
There are some people with AS out there who have done ABA/behavioural therapies in the therapist role; I have even seen a couple on this forum. I want to get into it, too, but I also have my doubts about how well I would actually be able to meet the demands of this role.
For those of you who don't know what it might look like, here's a video that serves a good example of a more challenging therapy situation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqjEOqRPAzA
My two biggest doubts are:
1) I feel like I am very good at interacting with the children in this manner for a while, but it can be exhausting after a while and I need to take a break (perhaps everyone does, though). I'm also not sure as to how I actually look during these interactions from the outside. Being videotaped would be very helpful, but I haven't had the opportunity to have done this yet.
2) People underestimating my ability to perform this job due to me coming off as timid, flat, and nervous in social situations such as interviews. When I tried getting hired for one job like this, even disclosing my diagnosis didn't seem to help - the mother was receptive at first, but I have a feeling that something threw her off about me once she met me in person.
Several people I know really want me to get into this field, but I'm not quite sure and can't seem to get much useful constructive feedback from other people. What are your opinions on this?
_________________
Leading a double life and loving it (but exhausted).
Likely ADHD instead of what I've been diagnosed with before.
nominalist
Supporting Member
Joined: 28 Jun 2007
Gender: Male
Posts: 2,740
Location: Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas (born in NYC)
Becoming an occupational therapist might be interesting to some people:
http://www.aota.org/autism
_________________
Mark A. Foster, Ph.D. (retired tenured sociology professor)
36 domains/24 books: http://www.markfoster.net
Emancipated Autism: http://www.neurelitism.com
Institute for Dialectical metaRealism: http://dmr.institute
In my opinion:
If you want to do it and you realistically think you can do it, then go for it.
You are aware of what your weaknesses are so come up with strategies to compensate for them, and then focus on using your strengths to enable you to be good at the job.
I would strongly recommend finding at least one other who can give you constructive feedback to help you see things about your ability/difficulties in doing the job you might not have noticed otherwise. I know how difficult this can be though...
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No one will tell me who and what I am and can be.
I was a mental health counselor for about 12 years. All sorts of populations, even autistic, but mainly structured 1:1 staff work which worked great for me. My low emotional temperature was a definite asset. In my opinion, brains are more important than heart in this field. Go for it.
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ASQ: 45. RAADS-R: 229.
BAP: 132 aloof, 132 rigid, 104 pragmatic.
Aspie score: 173 / 200; NT score: 33 / 200.
EQ: 6.
Okay, thanks.
I'm glad no one said something along the lines of no, it's not possible. So maybe it is, even despite all of the setbacks I have experienced so far.
_________________
Leading a double life and loving it (but exhausted).
Likely ADHD instead of what I've been diagnosed with before.
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