Sun Devil Posted September 26, 2012 Posted September 26, 2012 I had a visit with a counselor today and found out that I have aspergers syndrome. This means that I am not able to emotionally able to connect with people. It also means that I am not good with understanding nonverbal communication. How do I deal with this in order to help build relationships?
SJC2008 Posted September 26, 2012 Posted September 26, 2012 Unless thus counselor is a licensed psychyatrist I'd get a second opinion. Then get back to us.
Author Sun Devil Posted September 26, 2012 Author Posted September 26, 2012 The counselor is licensed
SJC2008 Posted September 26, 2012 Posted September 26, 2012 The counselor is licensed Did he/she go into family history, syptoms etc? How many sessions are we talking before this diagnosis was made? Licensed in what? A licensed counselor is not a psychatrist and should not be throwing out diagnoses. I went to a psych a little over a year ago after having a massive panic attack and it was a rip off. He seen me for a minute and told me to go to counseling (in his office) and the counselor basically asked me how my day was and a buch of filler crap. Nothing helpful IMO.
ThaWholigan Posted September 26, 2012 Posted September 26, 2012 First thing to do is get a diagnosis from a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist. Ask for a referral - counselors as far as I know cannot properly diagnose you. This could take a few months - it took 8 months before I was eventually diagnosed with HFA, then diagnosed again for Aspergers & Dyspraxia a month later. Once that happens, you have to dedicate a good portion of your time learning how to communicate effectively - that means advanced verbal reasoning, understanding non-verbal communication, expressing yourself appropriately and distinctly in terms of emotion and body language, as well as vocal tone. The information is all out there, and there are avenues where you can practice these things - improv/acting classes or CBT are 2 examples. I would pick up some new activities too if there's anything you're interested in - find a new "obsession" if you will - and join some evening classes with other people or something. And you have to stop being obsessed with getting a girlfriend. You won't want to hear that, but being obsessed with getting a girlfriend will slow down your development, and you won't be committed to your development. Commit to that, work on becoming more expressive and relaxed, authentic and natural and they will become more receptive to you.
Recommended Posts