need advice on finding a psychologist.

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I'm looking up psychologists for my aspergers and I realized I don't know what kind of doctor i need.

What would a doctor who treats aspergers be called?

what do they specialize in ??

is AS a mood disorder ?

No, not a mood disorder. Not even a disorder at all. I classify it as just a difference.

Here's a list of some therapy providers in the USA:
http://www.aspergers.com/asplist.htm

there are many people with letters after their names who do not know what they are doing. i think a psych nurse practicioner, clinical counselor, or anyone who works with autistics and aspies will be able to help you. rule of thumb - the older your doctor/psych, the better. in this job, experience is everything.

contact the local Asperger's Association and schedule and intake consultation.

I concur with L2 Survive.

Final rules:

- Should feel reasonably comfortable with the clinician - confidence that he/she is interested and really intent on benefitting you as much as is possible;
- Should get better, or at worst remain unchanged. Should definitely NOT get worse.

The proof is in the pudding, whatever the clinician.

try contacting a local autism/aspergers group. perhaps if you told us where you live we could help you better. psychiatrists dx AS also.

I have the phone number for the local autism association in the area. I'll give them a call when I have time.

Is there any special qualification that people who treat AS would have. Because I'm looking at what there qualified to treat and I didn't see AS listed anywhere.

If they don't list "Asperger's Syndrome" or "Autism Spectrum" anywhere in their qualifications, they're probably not someone you should see.


I noticed someone has mentioned that psychiatrists diagnose AS. Most psychiatrists actually refuse to recognise AS because there aren't any pharmaceuticals for treating it. Psychiatrists are not required to have learned any psychology.

experience in working with AS people counts more than any degree.

i heard you should go to a nuerospychologist. since aspergers is a nuerological disorder, sounds expencive though. hopefully you have insurance

I just told my GP that I thought I might have autism and wanted to get tested. He then referred me to a place that has a working group that specializes in autism.

thanks for the help everyone I'm currently searching.

I asked the NAS in the UK. They sent me a list, but wouldn't comment on their relative merits, except to say they were all properly qualified. One or two of them had "mission statements" - I'll be avoiding the one who says he makes it clear from the outset that an AS diagnosis is not a gateway for benefits and services - he sounds like he's over-midful of malingerers.

I think the DX can be done by a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist.

If I were in Australia, I'd check out Tony Atwood's clinic - the little I've heard about him seems good.

Possibly if you're going through the State health service you'll have no choice. If it's private, I'd contact a few of the diagnosticians and ask them how they go about it. Try to talk to the actual diagnostician, and look out for signs of respect, sympathy and friendliness, as well as knowledge and competence. Also ask what they charge - I've heard of prices between £200 and £1000. Money isn't everything, but with that kind of price swing, it's likely to be a factor if you haven't got much.

I found a clinical social worker who works primarily with anxiety based problems. But she seemed nice over the phone and she has worked with aspergers patents in the past.

I wont be able to decide if she is a good therapist for me until at least 4 meetings but I'll keep you all posted!

Thanks for all the help!