Re: (recommended article) Why Women With Autism Are Invisible

[Guest guest]

Good article, makes some cogent points. Of course, I was never one of

the little girls who got peer help....

A related question: although I am 90% convinced I am on the spectrum

(and 100% I am not NT) and two counselors have agreed, I have an

appointment for a professional evaluation at DVR Monday. How do I study

for the test?

Seriously, what do you recommend in terms of presentation and

information I provide, in order to help the psychologist see the issues

with which I deal, and not just the fact that in a quiet, structured,

one-on-one setting I tend to present as almost normal? In other words, I

speak with appropriate expression and gestures and even, I am told, fake

eye contact fairly convincingly.

Suggestions?

Andromeda

[Guest guest]

Luxenburg wrote:

[ snip ]

> Seriously, what do you recommend in terms of presentation and

> information I provide, in order to help the psychologist see the issues

> with which I deal, and not just the fact that in a quiet, structured,

> one-on-one setting I tend to present as almost normal? In other words, I

> speak with appropriate expression and gestures and even, I am told, fake

> eye contact fairly convincingly.

Just like me.

>

> Suggestions?

> Andromeda

Seriously, go back through family albums and *your own* albums. Recall

thereby incidents in your young life that " speak to " the idea you're an

unevaluated AS.

Take some albums with you to your appointment. My shrink *asked* me to

bring some.

It was particularly important to him to see me in group photos *always*

at a little distance from everyone else, *never* with my arm around

anyone. ...To see my posture, gaze, etc in unguarded moments. Those

and more, all were grist for his mill.

That's a little thing. But likely you've compensated very well by now,

so it's useful for your shrink to *see* what you've compensated *for*.

....How you may have adapted since " back when " .

- Bill ...AS, ... " older " clinical/research geneticist

--

WD " Bill " Loughman - Berkeley, California USA

http://home.earthlink.net/~wdloughman/wdl.htm

[Guest guest]

I definitely agree with Bill, be thorough by letting whomever is diagnosing see how you have coped. The fact that you have coped means there was initially a problem. Just because you have found ways to deal with it doesn't mean it's gone, just means you have a handle on it.

Like you I present very well for the most part. Esp. before my diagnosis. Since then I have let some things slide simply because I find the effort to not be worth the results (or lack thereof).

I was very thorough. I shared childhood memories from as far back as I can remember and as much detail as I can remember. I'm sure the fact that I can remember back to before 4 yrs old in full color pictures (right down the the wood pattern of the floor boards and the dust in the air) spoke to my being different. The fact that my early childhood memories are of me, alone, and totally satisfied being alone and also other memories of being alone and being annoyed when required to join the others in the family. Little things like a completely unreasoning fear of getting one's photo taken (although looking back I think I would have been fine with it had someone taken the time to explain what a camera was and how it worked, but I'm sure at 3 or 4 they figured there was no way I would want to know that.)

I actually made a list of memories and shared enough detail to show it was out of the norm and then also included what I was feeling at that time (or not feeling). I figured he could ask for more input if he wanted.

I tried to be as thorough as possible since my own parents were not available for questioning nor would they have anything useful to add. Also I was given a whole battery of tests about varying areas of thinking to see how I worked through things, how I think both intellectually and emotionally.

Jennie

Re: (recommended article) Why Women With Autism Are Invisible

Luxenburg wrote:[ snip ]> Seriously, what do you recommend in terms of presentation and> information I provide, in order to help the psychologist see the issues> with which I deal, and not just the fact that in a quiet, structured,> one-on-one setting I tend to present as almost normal? In other words, I> speak with appropriate expression and gestures and even, I am told, fake> eye contact fairly convincingly.Just like me. >> Suggestions?> AndromedaSeriously, go back through family albums and *your own* albums. Recall thereby incidents in your young life that "speak to" the idea you're an unevaluated AS.Take some albums with you to your appointment. My shrink *asked* me to bring some.It was particularly important to him to see me in group photos *always* at a little distance from everyone else, *never* with my arm around anyone. ...To see my posture, gaze, etc in unguarded moments. Those and more, all were grist for his mill.That's a little thing. But likely you've compensated very well by now, so it's useful for your shrink to *see* what you've compensated *for*. ...How you may have adapted since "back when".- Bill ...AS, ..."older" clinical/research geneticist-- WD "Bill" Loughman - Berkeley, California USAhttp://home.earthlink.net/~wdloughman/wdl.htm