How to bring the subject up about aspergers, after several sessions?

[Suzanne]

When I first decided to see a psychiatrist, deep inside, I had this ideal notion that the therapist would diagnose me as having aspergers as soon as I started to chat, but I decided due to fear of ridicule, that I would go for the "safe" option of being formally diagnosed with social phobia and that happened.

I was persuaded to try medicine for anxiety and anger issues, but have stopped both, due to the side effects that I am unable to deal with.

So, my question is: how can I approach the subject of wanting to be diagnosed with aspergers after having seen this therapist a few times now and it all concentrating on social phobia?

The trouble is, here in France, they have a very narrow minded view on things. They lump aspergers with autism and why I have been laughed at a couple of times.

Just to add, this therapy is free of charge and therefore I have very little option and in fact, it is a miracle I got to see this therapist.

 

[Judge]

If autism is so stigmatized professionally in France, it would seem the answer to your question would be pretty basic.

1. Seek out such a therapist who is known not to have such a professional bias. Then again, if this particular therapist leans towards a more mainstream view of autism, just go for it, before you get too immersed into social anxiety alone.

You could always consider asking some leading questions, feigning curiosity about autism rather than telling your therapist you believe you're on the spectrum. Just to see where she stands on the issue without actually sticking your neck out.

2. Go to Belgium where their medical community has a more mainstream perception and treatment of autism. I know, an alternative you don't want to consider.

 

[Pats]

I asked my family doctor to refer me to an autism specialist and she just referred me to a psychiatrist and therapist. I had ordered this book "Aspien Women" talking about the characteristics, traits and gifts. While reading I stuck a slip of paper to mark the pages that I so closely related with. There were papers sticking out from nearly every page. On my second visit to the therapist I carried that book and showed her with all the slips of paper sticking out. She immediately searched for and found a specialist that could (and did) give me an official diagnosis of autism. All the testing ended up costing quite a bit, but I don't know if anyone is willing to provide therapy regarding the autism without an official diagnosis. Once I had the diagnosis all my therapy sessions included and was different based on having autism because things for a neurotypical patient does not work on someone with autism. For instance we can not change something just because we now know why we do it or look in the mirror and convince ourselves we are wonderful. I ended up stopping the therapy but I still see the psychiatrist every 6 months because he put me on a low dose of antidepressant, which helps with meltdowns. And it only takes half a dose of the lowest dose.
I hope you find this helpful.

 

[Suzanne]

[QUOTE="Judge, p


2. Go to Belgium where their medical community has a more mainstream perception and treatment of autism. I know, an alternative you don't want to consider.[/QUOTE]

Wish I could go to Belguim, but we live too far away to travel there and my husband works pretty much around the clock, so not a good chance to go there.

By the way, my therapist is a he and not sure I could ask about aspergers in a casual way, just to test the waters, as I barely understand what he says and cannot speak a lot of French myself.

 

[Suzanne]

I asked my family doctor to refer me to an autism specialist and she just referred me to a psychiatrist and therapist. I had ordered this book "Aspien Women" talking about the characteristics, traits and gifts. While reading I stuck a slip of paper to mark the pages that I so closely related with. There were papers sticking out from nearly every page. On my second visit to the therapist I carried that book and showed her with all the slips of paper sticking out. She immediately searched for and found a specialist that could (and did) give me an official diagnosis of autism. All the testing ended up costing quite a bit, but I don't know if anyone is willing to provide therapy regarding the autism without an official diagnosis. Once I had the diagnosis all my therapy sessions included and was different based on having autism because things for a neurotypical patient does not work on someone with autism. For instance we can not change something just because we now know why we do it or look in the mirror and convince ourselves we are wonderful. I ended up stopping the therapy but I still see the psychiatrist every 6 months because he put me on a low dose of antidepressant, which helps with meltdowns. And it only takes half a dose of the lowest dose.
I hope you find this helpful.

Tricky, because I live in France and my therapist does not read English.

 

[Judge]

Wish I could go to Belguim, but we live too far away to travel there and my husband works pretty much around the clock, so not a good chance to go there.

By the way, my therapist is a he and not sure I could ask about aspergers in a casual way, just to test the waters, as I barely understand what he says and cannot speak a lot of French myself.

I'm afraid you make the language barrier perhaps the steepest hurdle to overcome in the equation.

At this point I'd say finding someone who is fluent in English should be a top priority.

 

[the_tortoise]

Tricky, because I live in France and my therapist does not read English.

Perhaps you could try to find books or other literature about Asperger's Syndrome/ASDs that have been written in/translated to French.

Here are a few French books about Asperger's Syndrome/Autism listed on Tony Attwood's website: French

 

[Suzanne]

I'm afraid you make the language barrier perhaps the steepest hurdle to overcome in the equation.

At this point I'd say finding someone who is fluent in English should be a top priority.

I wish it was ME who made the language barrier the hurdle, but in fact, it is fairly out of my control.

I speak a bit of French and both my husband and I agree that actually, my therapist may not be French and that is why I can barely understand him, because generally I can understand a bit.

Anyway, he uses google translater and I have taken to using my tablet and translating what I need to let him know about and this time, it will to talk about aspergers.

Just not able to find an English speaking therapist in my area and hubby won't travel further.

 

[Suzanne]

Perhaps you could try to find books or other literature about Asperger's Syndrome/ASDs that have been written in/translated to French.

Here are a few French books about Asperger's Syndrome/Autism listed on Tony Attwood's website: French

Thank you so very much for taking the time to do this for me.

 

[Pats]

Wonder if there's a way you could print out your aspie quiz score and answers in a translated version.

 

[Ylva]

You could start with your comorbids, such as sensory processing disorder, if you have that.

Although, if the condition is that stigmatizing in France, you might not want the diagnosis in France.

 

[WereBear]

You are talking to your therapist through Google Translate?!?!

This is a great start for a French comedy movie, not actual therapy sessions. What a challenge on top of everything else.

 

[Mary Anne]

I wish it was ME who made the language barrier the hurdle, but in fact, it is fairly out of my control.

I speak a bit of French and both my husband and I agree that actually, my therapist may not be French and that is why I can barely understand him, because generally I can understand a bit.

Anyway, he uses google translater and I have taken to using my tablet and translating what I need to let him know about and this time, it will to talk about aspergers.

Just not able to find an English speaking therapist in my area and hubby won't travel further.

Honestly, google translate is terrible. ABSOLUTELY not accurate for a detailed conversation, or describing your symptoms. I have have extremely poor outcomes translating German history books to English; understanding published medical articles; historical articles for writing college papers; and in having long buyer/seller conversations in multiple languages world wide. (I buy/sell on eBay).

I honestly wonder why - given all the problems you describe- why you would want a diagnosis under all these uncontrollable circumstances you posted above. ESPECIALLY with negative biased doctors!

 

[Mr Allen]

Honestly, google translate is terrible. ABSOLUTELY not accurate for a detailed conversation, or describing your symptoms. I have have extremely poor outcomes translating German history books to English; understanding published medical articles; historical articles for writing college papers; and in having long buyer/seller conversations in multiple languages world wide. (I buy/sell on eBay).

I honestly wonder why - given all the problems you describe- why you would want a diagnosis under all these uncontrollable circumstances you posted above. ESPECIALLY with negative biased doctors!

Probably because getting an official diagnosis via either a Shrink or a qualified Doctor who specialises in Neurological disorders is literally the ONLY way.

 

[Suzanne]

You are talking to your therapist through Google Translate?!?!

This is a great start for a French comedy movie, not actual therapy sessions. What a challenge on top of everything else.

No, I just have a French translation as a sort of: and how are you today? Kind of thing that he asks. So, it is just a summery of what I have been doing since I last saw him.

It is not a bad translation, because he says so.

Then, he will use his google translater if I just do not get what he is saying and hubby cannot translate for me.

Yes, a nightmare challenge ontop of the already challenges.

 

[Suzanne]

You could start with your comorbids, such as sensory processing disorder, if you have that.

Although, if the condition is that stigmatizing in France, you might not want the diagnosis in France.

My dealings are mostly with those of my language and thus, why it would be beneficial even if I got it in French.

The problem is, I am scared to bring up the subject to him outright.

 

[Suzanne]

Wonder if there's a way you could print out your aspie quiz score and answers in a translated version.

Wow, never thought of that. And in fact, it can be done in French!!!!

 

[Mr Allen]

I did French at school but I've forgot most of it bar VERY basic stuff.

"Je Voudrais Un Bier sil vous plait, merci!", which translates to "I'll have a Beer please, thanks"

 

[Ylva]

No, I just have a French translation as a sort of: and how are you today? Kind of thing that he asks. So, it is just a summery of what I have been doing since I last saw him.

It is not a bad translation, because he says so.

Then, he will use his google translater if I just do not get what he is saying and hubby cannot translate for me.

Yes, a nightmare challenge ontop of the already challenges.

Sorry, but why not GT it into English?

 

[Mr Allen]

Sorry, but why not GT it into English?

2 things:

Most people don't like it if you have your phone out during something as formal as an interview situation or a Doctor's appointment, secondly, Google Translate doesn't always work as well as it should do.