Psychotherapist from Aspie spectrum family

[wfs]

I've been a clinical therapist for 41 years and it has only been in the past 5 years that I have become fascinated with the Asperger's spectrum. To be honest, we all know how easy it is to misdiagnose High Functioning Asperger's as either simply ADD/ADHD, narcissist with anger issues, borderline, social anxiety, etc. etc. When I realized my father is HFA, and my brother is an isolated Asperger's, I began to educate myself about neural diversity. I found Aspie-Quiz RDOS, which I now have every client take and report on. What an amazing tool for self-knowledge. I score as neural-typical, but I have some very specific Aspie traits, including collecting (navajo rugs and sand paintings...wowzer), physical coordination awkwardness, and a very high Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator introversion score (58 out of 60). I've joined AspiesCentral to further my understanding of this amazing perspective of the world.

 

[malortie]

wfs,

I too became obsessed with subjects related to Autism spectrum and Aspergers, ever since I realized I might be one.
I, along with others hope that you will have a very pleasant and friendly time around here.

 

[Rocco]

Welcome aboard

 

[wfs]

One truth I have learned in my years as a therapist is this: The narrative we tell ourselves, and repeat to others, defines the nature of our world. The world will "fit" into our expectations. Regardless of the crazy sh#$t that we have endured, we owe it to our greater self to become the heroes/heroines of our own myth. (and there is no great myth that doesn't involve overcoming our dark night of the soul) Quest forth my brothers and sisters; with courage, curiosity and commitment.

 

[Tom]

Well

One truth I have learned in my years as a therapist is this: The narrative we tell ourselves, and repeat to others, defines the nature of our world. The world will "fit" into our expectations. Regardless of the crazy sh#$t that we have endured, we owe it to our greater self to become the heroes/heroines of our own myth. (and there is no great myth that doesn't involve overcoming our dark night of the soul) Quest forth my brothers and sisters; with courage, curiosity and commitment.

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I do like that approach for its positiveness, but tbh I think it perhaps only useful for a while. The next step I would put as realizing your 'hero' (or heroine) did not defeat the dragon and was, in fact, eaten. But you still woke up the next day and had to make a living. Preferrably not by being eaten by dragons (Showings at 2pm and 4pm daily).

 

[lostinspace]

Thanks so much for joining our forum. I hope that you will be able to help some of us who are seeking therapy.

One thing I would like to know is how you learn how to help people when you are learning how to be a clinical therapist. Are you usually told about Aspergers or do most therapists go through their training without any idea of what it is?

I am still trying to figure out why my attempts at seeking help failed so miserably. Could it be that none of them (There were about a dozen.) knew about Aspergers? None of them told me about it and I had no idea what it was until decades later. I am sure that this would have really helped. Or they were unable to recognize it? Or maybe they considered it irrelevant? What happened? I can only say that they were completely clueless and unable to help me.

 

[Nacho]

Wow, you have a faith in this website by buying vip the first days I hope we don't make you regret it. Welcome!

 

[tree]

One truth I have learned... is this: The narrative we tell ourselves, and repeat to others, defines the nature of our world. The world will "fit" into our expectations.

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That's what I say, too.
Courtesy of Albert Ellis, that is.

 

[Spiller]

That's what I say, too.
Courtesy of Albert Ellis, that is.

Do you find it works for you Tree?

The narrative we tell ourselves, and repeat to others, defines the nature of our world. The world will "fit" into our expectations. Regardless of the crazy sh#$t that we have endured, we owe it to our greater self to become the heroes/heroines of our own myth. (and there is no great myth that doesn't involve overcoming our dark night of the soul) Quest forth my brothers and sisters; with courage, curiosity and commitment.

I get the principal, but I'm having a hard time putting it into practice.
This last two years I've set myself the task of thinking of myself as the person I want to be - strong, confident, able, sociable.. it's taken some time, as I can't ask anyone how to act - how to look the part.

I'd expect, if I'm doing it right, to see feedback, positive changes, goals I want to achieve becoming achievable..
I can't deny there have been small improvements, but I still come up against my Aspieness - still struggle to socialise and form relationships.

I understand how an NT can benefit, they have all the same social tools at their disposal as anyone else, it may just be anxiety or whatever holding them back..
But we don't - we're still that square peg trying to fit into a round hole regardless of how good we feel about ourselves.

Does Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy account for ND's?

 

[Progster]

Hi, and welcome to the forum I think it's a great idea to join an ASD forum to research ASD and understand it more from our perspective

 

[tree]

Do you find it works for you Tree?



I get the principal, but I'm having a hard time putting it into practice.
This last two years I've set myself the task of thinking of myself as the person I want to be - strong, confident, able, sociable.. it's taken some time, as I can't ask anyone how to act - how to look the part.

I'd expect, if I'm doing it right, to see feedback, positive changes, goals I want to achieve becoming achievable..
I can't deny there have been small improvements, but I still come up against my Aspieness - still struggle to socialise and form relationships.

I understand how an NT can benefit, they have all the same social tools at their disposal as anyone else, it may just be anxiety or whatever holding them back..
But we don't - we're still that square peg trying to fit into a round hole regardless of how good we feel about ourselves.

Does Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy account for ND's?

I made a note last night to get back here and ask if you have read the book,
A Guide to Rational Living? Not just looked at the rules. The book is old &
uses 'dated' language. Maybe it even seems corny. But it is better than just
looking at the rules and trying to apply those as guidelines. More lead-up to
the principles that way.

I made the note because I kept remembering about wanting to ask whether
you'd read the book, but I kept remembering when I was not at the computer.

If you haven't, maybe you could borrow it from the library?
I guess this is a modern approach. -> http://freebook--pdf.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-guide-to-rational-living-free-download.html

I am not trying to promote sales or anything.
Just looking for ways to get at the book.

 

[Spiller]

Thanks tree, I haven't read it - downloading as I type..

 

[Myway]

Maybe you will gain a better understanding of Asperger Syndrome by hanging around us. We are very interesting sometimes.