Newly Diagnosed

[Weezer]

I am a 38 year old male. I have just heard high functioning autism in reference to myself for the first time. I sought a diagnosis with some suspicion of this diagnosis after a lifetime of problems stemming from minor to life altering. The life altering has been almost completely unique to work.

I am asking for input on two concerns I have. The first is the psychologist I am working with. The second is the steps I take from here.

I find my psychologist cold and rude. She does not listen to me well. Because of a single question on one of the many questionnaires I had filled out, she wants to add a schizoid component to my diagnosis. The question asked if I often hear things others do not. I answered yes. I am a mechanic and have been for twenty years. I have experience and training that has honed my ability to listen for unusual sounds. My psychologist thinks that I am having auditory hallucinations. It seems she has placed very little trust in what I have to say now as if I am an invalid and she has tunnel visioned the schizoid. What can I do to get through to her as not to have an inaccurate diagnosis haunt me for the rest of my life.

With the autism diagnosis, are there any steps I can take to see a psychologist that I can further trust?

Thank you for all feedback.

 

[clg114]

You can always fire your doctor and hire another. Remember, you pay them, they work for you. I have been though three cardiologists. If you change doctors, be sure to get one that has experience with autism and one that you like. This is very important for you to get the help that you seek.

Welcome to Autism Forums!

 

[Isadoorian]

Welcome to the Forums! I hope you make new friends and enjoy your stay in the process!

I take it your name comes from the band of the same name?

 

[Weezer]

Welcome to the Forums! I hope you make new friends and enjoy your stay in the process!

I take it your name comes from the band of the same name?

A nickname I bore for many years. Thank you for welcoming me.

 

[Fino]

What prevents you from just cancelling your appointment with that one and making one with someone else?

 

[Weezer]

What prevents you from just cancelling your appointment with that one and making one with someone else?

There are two reasons. One is my health insurance and the other is that this psychologist holds test results that I am still awaiting. I was asked to complete a cognitive function test. Once I get these results, I will be pursuing care from a provider with a lesser "I'm here for the paycheck" attitude. One of the purposes of my post was to ask for help in what to look for in a new provider.

 

[Fino]

I suppose the simplest would be someone who claims to specialize in Autism!

Other than that, it's mostly done "interviewing" them basically. See how you feel talking to them and trust that. Did you start out liking the person you see now? Don't be shy to ask questions, you're hiring them for a specific purpose, we certainly wouldn't go to the store and stick with whatever we see first, or some other analogy that is hopefully effective.

I derive a lot of my opinion of a person, psychologist or not, in how they respond to dumb, weird, silly things done or said. Certain kinds of people will immediately become condescending if you say something dumb enough; or you can ask something google-able and see if they can handle simply answering. I only spend time with people who would be willing to kindly show me how to tie my shoes if I somehow convinced them I couldn't do it.

 

[Major Tom]

Hi welcome!
That question is loaded... People on the spectrum often have sound sensitivities, personally, I can hear dog whistles, electricity, and a variety of other sounds people "don't usually hear". This does not make me schizoid, it just means I have acute hearing regarding certain frequencies. Like you said as well, in your profession, you are also training your ears to hear things others don't usually hear..
Please do yourself a favor and go see an autism specialist as a second opinion.

 

[Fino]

Did you suspect, when answering, that their intention with the question was to ask if you hallucinate? In future questionnaires, you can try to see why they're asking a question and possibly adjust accordingly.