adult AS

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who here has/had trouble finding a dr for adult AS?

i'm pissed, it took 6 weeks to get an appt with a dr and when i got there ifound out my appt was with some other dr... the the dr my appt was with is the last dr i would choose. i could not understand half the stuff he said.

the dr i saw today seemed to think adult AS is a joke... and asked questions that pissed me off... he asked about having friends and then if i was married... which really pissed me off.

Yes, finding a doc who knows adult AS can take time and effort. It took me several weeks to find one, and that was with the help of a neurologist and two psychiatrists (both of whom thought I had AS but wanted me to see a proper specialist).

The specialist I eventually saw was more into childhood ASDs but was willing to see me. I didn't get pissed off at anything I was asked (but that's just my nature: it takes me quite some time to process the emotional content of what people say, so I can get upset hours or days after hearing something), and eventually go through the diagnostic process.

Can you go to this doctor with a trusted friend or family member? Unless you know a lot about medicine and are used to visiting doctor's offices, the experience can be disconcerting, confusing, and even intimidating. I've had lots of practice due to issues in my life, so my only major challenge is getting to the office and dealing with sensory issues. But having something with me is still my preferred way to go. That person can ask questions and support you while there.

All this assumes you have a good doc. It sounds like you don't have one yet.

I feel it is easier for Drs to understand if they can see what is wrong, like a bone fracture... but for things that are neurologically or psychologically wrong it seems that a lot of Drs fail to understand... especially when it comes to AS.

That may be with GPs and internists, but a good neurologist or psychiatrist is trained to "see" what is going on inside your head. Finding one who has the requisite knowledge of ASDs is the key.

When i came across an article on AS (which lead me to a dx by two good psychs), my mother decided to do a search for Autism related organizations. Some of those organizations are affiliated with some psychs/specialists on the topic, and they take it seriously. Even doing a search for autism specialists can point you in the right direction for the area you live. It took me about two weeks to find an Autism specialist, and since then have done quite well (financial situation not withstanding). I wish you luck on your search.

In a sense I think I was lucky. Once I decided to get the diagnosis I had a hard time finding help. The local chapter of the Autism Society of America was very helpful to me. I talked to them on the phone several times and was able to get several lists of doctors they said had experience diagnosing adults. It took a couple of weeks but I found a psychologist who was acceptable. She doesn't accept insurance, but I wanted the expertise so I decided to go ahead and pay for it out of pocket (which, on my income, was a significant financial impact, but worth it).

Maybe you could contact your local chapter of the Autism Society of America, or some other organization you think you can trust, and see if they might be able to refer you to someone.

I think I am also lucky. I think my psych also has AS, but I haven't asked him directly yet and it's been almost a year. Very smart man. I've been to the point of doubting him on a couple occasions, but he seems to know his stuff. I've called him Mr. Miagi (Karate Kid) becuase, like Mr. Miagi, he won't tell always reveal what's really going on, but it seems to work: think "wax on wax off." And me, like the Karate Kid, I have challenged him, only to be pleasantly suprised.

Anyway, I think, through seeing him (though again, he doesn't directly reveal the detail) that I am of a particular type of aspergers. That is, mild with a high IQ. And in a way, he is starting to make me feel like an x-man... in a good way. That is, I'm not like most people, but to make of for that, I have some super human abilities.

Okay, sounds funny, and I'm not sure why I am mentioning it in this post, except that I want to talk about it. But, to bring it back to the point: there are professionals out there, albiet probably few and far between that understand AS and can really help. I'm in Portland OR, and I think he is the only one here that I would spend the money to go to.

I put a call in to Yale (as in Yale Univ.) for a referal but that didnt work out.... the practices I called are either full or don't call me back... or my insurance won't pay for it.

They're pretty good questions to ask if you're assessing someone for AS. Most tend to lack peer relations, and marriage for someone with AS is one of those rare things (it happens, but only in the highest of functioning cases).