Asperger’s Syndrome Resources

Asperger’s Syndrome Resources

by | Oct 17, 2021 | Mental Health Conditions, Resources

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Photo by jesse orrico on Unsplash

The diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Asperger’s Syndrome have been coming up frequently lately among people I see, so I thought I would write a blog post with information on the subject.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is classified as a Developmental Condition in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), which is published by the American Psychiatric Association and has gone through several editions and revisions throughout the years. Both ASD and Asperger’s Syndrome were in the fourth edition of the DSM (DSM-IV and DSM IV-TR). In the most recent and fifth edition of the DSM (DSM-5), Asperger’s Syndrome was removed and ASD remained, with numerous specifiers. However, Asperger’s Syndrome continues to be used in clinical settings and by people with Asperger’s themselves. Some of those with Asperger’s Syndrome call themselves “Aspies”. I think to the layperson, Asperger’s Syndrome is thought of as a mild form of Autism Spectrum Disorder. This is true in some respects, as people who identify themselves as having Asperger’s Syndrome are usually verbal (a sizable percentage of people with ASD do not or cannot speak), have intelligence in the average or above average range, and often “don’t look autistic”, meaning that they are assumed to be neurotypical (NT) on superficial acquaintance.

We do not currently know what causes autism, though there have been many hypotheses and studies. It has been soundly DISPROVEN that vaccinations cause ASD. The fact is, vaccinations like the MMR vaccine are given around the age when ASD symptoms begin to become more apparent. There is NO proven relationship between vaccinations and autism, and significant evidence that the original hypothesis was based on unfounded data with faulty analysis.

 

Autism Spectrum Disorder: Definition

ASD Definition

From Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary: Any group of developmental disorders (such as autism and Asperger’s syndrome) marked by impairments in the ability to communicate and interact socially and by the presence of repetitive behaviors or restricted interests — called also pervasive developmental disorder

(“Autism spectrum disorder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autism%20spectrum%20disorder. Accessed 17 Oct. 2021.)

 

Asperger’s Syndrome: Definition

From Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary: An autism spectrum disorder that is characterized by impaired social interaction, by repetitive patterns of behavior and restricted interests, by normal language and cognitive development but poor conversational skills and difficulty with nonverbal communication, and often by above average performance in a narrow field against a general background of impaired functioning.

(“Asperger’s syndrome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Asperger%27s%20syndrome. Accessed 17 Oct. 2021.)

 

Where do I go from here?

I hope this has been helpful to you if you or someone you love is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or Asperger’s Syndrome. I have linked some screening self-report measures that have been published in respected academic journals. They may help rule-in or rule-out an ASD diagnosis if you have not been diagnosed yet. The gold standard for ASD diagnosis is the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), which I observed being done in medical school and at that time I was told it could only really be accurate when done with young children. More recently, the ADOS-2 has been adapted for children through adults, though it is unknown to this writer how widely it has been validated by researchers and how accessible or cost effective it is to the average adult. Diagnosis of ASD in adults is difficult and in Dr. Freerksen’s practice, it is based on history and clinical judgment. Getting a diagnosis can be very empowering and a relief to someone with ASD.

If you want to know more about ASD or AS, several reputable organizations and well-reviewed books are linked here. In my personal experience, Temple Grandin is the most well-known of the authors represented, and she has several Ted talks as well as books, patents, and memoir published. I also include a category of books about how ASD presents differently in women. The DSM-5 suggests that there is great male preponderance of ASD, though I am seeing a fair amount of undiagnosed ASD/AS in some of the women I know and some authors suggest that the proportion may be more evenly distributed and simply not diagnosed in a large portion of affected women.

 

Health Resource Organizations

CDC page on Autism

Autistic Self Advocacy Network – “Nothing About Us, Without Us.”

Autism Society

Neuroclastic – “The Autism Spectrum According to Autistic People”

 

Scales that Screen for Autism (Peer-reviewed!)

  • Ritvo Autism & Asperger Scale (RAADS)15 questions, scored online at this link.
    • Peer-reviewed and validated
    • Chose whether this happened when you were young, at your current (adult) age, both, or neither
  • Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ)
    • 50 questions, scored online at this link.
    • Peer-reviewed and validated
    • Binary choice: there are 4 options but really it’s “agree” or “disagree”

General Books on Autism & Asperger’s

Women with Autism/Asperger’s Syndrome

Children with Autism/Asperger’s Syndrome

Mindfulness Resources

Mindfulness Resources

by | Oct 14, 2021 | Resources

Mindfulness Resources

Mindfulness is the act of living in the present moment, in all its fullness, without attachment or judgement. It is often hard to be mindful as we go about our day-to-day lives in today’s society, especially if you have depression, anxiety or trauma symptoms. I have been taught that there are two types of mindfulness: trait mindfulness and state mindfulness.

State mindfulness is usually what people are talking about if they talk about mindfulness meditation. “State” mindfulness means that you are doing something with the intention of being in a mindful, meditative state. It is also called “formal sitting practice” although this is something of a misnomer. Mindfulness meditation can be done while walking, running, or stretching and is a vital part of yoga, Tai Chi, and Qi Gong.

Trait mindfulness is when a person is able to live in the fullness of the present moment with minimal attachment and judgement. Those who meditate frequently often find at some point that they “are living it.” What they are describing is trait mindfulness, where the way they think on a daily basis has been changed to be more present-focused with less frequent and less severe negative emotions and more frequent positive emotions. The negative emotions are still there, but they are tolerated and do not linger.

 

Mindfulness Resources

 

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

by | Oct 14, 2021 | Resources

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) was created by Marsha Linehan, PhD for treatment of people who felt that their lives were not worth living. DBT is the gold standard of therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), and the skills it lays out have also been found to be helpful for many mood and anxiety disorders as well as Complicated PTSD (C-PTSD). The goal of DBT is to make your life “A Life Worth Living.”

There are Four Pillars of DBT, with a Fifth recently added. The original 4 skill modules are: Core Mindfulness, Interpersonal Effectiveness, Emotion Regulation, and Distress Tolerance. The 5th skill set is Walking the Middle Path.

DBT was studied to be a comprehensive treatment program involving weekly individual skills training with a therapist, weekly group skills training led by two therapists, as well as a phone number to call in need for on-the-spot telephone coaching by a therapist on call. The therapists in a DBT practice meet to discuss the people in the DBT program to help gain insight and also so the therapist and staff practice the skills they teach. Marsha Linehan herself was a Zen Master. She was also diagnosed and hospitalized for BPD in her 20’s, so she had hard won knowledge about how to make a life worth living after trauma.

Reclaim Joy Medical does not offer the complete DBT treatment program. However, we are trained in DBT skills and practice them in our daily lives.

 

  General DBT Skills Resources

 

 DBT Skill: Core Mindfulness

 

 DBT Skill: Interpersonal Effectiveness

The Dime Game App (Free) for iPhone and Android

 

DBT Therapy Practices in San Jose

(not affiliated with Reclaim Joy Medical)

Awake DBT

South Bay DBT

ADHD Resources

ADHD Resources

by | Oct 12, 2021 | Mental Health Conditions, Resources

October is ADHD Awareness Month. Here is a collection of resources for people with ADHD, including advocacy organizations, podcasts, resources for parents, resources for women, influential blogs, and information about how to find a professional organizer or an ADHD coach.

An orange ADHD Awareness ribbon folded into the shape of butterfly

ADHD Associations and Forums

ADHD Podcasts

ADHD in Women

Disorganization in the Home

Budgeting Lifehacks

Parenting and ADHD

ADHD Coaching Resources

Complex PTSD Resources

Complex PTSD Resources

by | Oct 2, 2021 | Mental Health Conditions, Resources

Complex PTSD Resources

So, you or someone you love has been diagnosed with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or C-PTSD (Complicated PTSD), now what? Here are a few reputable websites about the disease, as well as a very brief introduction to trauma-informed modalities to treat PTSD and C-PTSD, and books or workbooks you might find helpful. These are all workbooks or books that I recommend to my patients. I hope you find this list useful on your way to wellness and recovery!

 

Helpful Webpages

 

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) was created by Marsha Linehan, PhD for treatment of people who felt that their lives were not worth living. DBT is the gold standard of therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), and the skills it lays out have also been found to be helpful for many mood and anxiety disorders as well as Complicated PTSD. The goal of DBT is to make your life “A Life Worth Living.”

Reclaim Joy Medical does not offer the complete DBT treatment program. The psychiatrists of Reclaim Joy Medical are trained in DBT skills and practice them in our daily lives. Dr. Freerksen wrote a blog post with more in-depth information about DBT.

 

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

Mindfulness meditation is when you are doing something with the intention of being in a mindful, meditative state. It is also called “formal sitting practice” although this is something of a misnomer. Mindfulness meditation can be done while walking, running, or stretching and is a vital part of yoga, Tai Chi, and Qi Gong.

When a person is able to live in the fullness of the present moment with minimal attachment and judgement, the way they think on a daily basis has been changed to be more present-focused with less frequent and less severe negative emotions and more frequent positive emotions. The negative emotions are still there, but they are tolerated and do not linger.

Dr. Freerksen has a blog post with more information and resources about mindfulness.

 

Poem about interrelational childhood trauma

This Be the Verse, by Philip Larkin (has two f-bombs)

 

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

 

Model of Developmental Immaturity by Pia Mellody

 

Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS)

This is a psychotherapeutic technique that focusses on getting in touch with different facets or “parts” of the self. One part of the self might be a scared child, and another part might be an angry part that is a Protector of the scared child. There are angry parts, tired parts, even suicidal parts within ourselves. IFS tries to help someone find Self and from that inner, instinctively unique and wise Self interact and talk to the other parts. Through work with a therapist, Self can befriend these parts and by dialoguing with them, heal any hurt, traumatized, or scared parts.

PTSD shows itself in many forms

SF Bay Therapist List

SF Bay Therapist List

by | Aug 3, 2021 | Resources

We know the pandemic can be hard! Sometimes you need a specialized therapist or a therapist who is not your psychiatrist. It’s hard sometimes to figure out which therapists are accepting new clients and what a therapist’s interest is. This is a list of therapists with whom Dr. Freerksen has worked closely. They are good people and excellent clinicians who are not affiliated with Reclaim Joy Medical.

Cameron Murphey, LMFT

Cameron helps adults and teens struggling with anxiety, OCD, panic, and trauma.

More Info:
www.cameronmurpheytherapy.com
(510) 438-1960

Carmen Frank, LMFT

Carmen mostly works with individuals and since she have done a lot of couples work in the past, she works well with individuals who are also in couples therapy.  She uses EFT and AEDP as my primary modalities works with common individual issues, like anxiety and depression, as well as clients with trauma histories. 

More Info:
(408) 271-9779

David Biggs, LMFT

David treats a variety of issues, and his specialty is addiction

More info:
https://www.davidbiggsmft.com
(408) 899-9547

Kerry Hubel, PhD

Dr. Hubel’s therapeutic approach is rooted in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), however she uses a variety of different therapy techniques, selecting approaches that are suited to each individual client.  Dr. Hubel’s therapy starts from a place of support and understanding, so that difficult challenges can be faced together from a place of trust. She has experience working with clients experiencing challenges with loss, depression, anxiety, relationships, and trauma as well as clients facing major life adjustments, including aging, medical disorders, and brain injury.  Dr. Hubel’s goal with every client is to build a relationship that will facilitate recovery, skill building, and personal growth.

More Info:
drkerryhubel.com

Roni Kholomyansky, PsyD

Roni’s areas of specialty: perfectionism, chronic depression, social anxiety, Highly Sensitive People, complex trauma.

More Info:
ronikhol.com
(510) 379-7228

Sarah Rizvi, PhD

Dr. Sarah Rizvi is a psychologist and specializes in working with adults with chronic medical issues, pain and with new mothers coping with post-partum depression or anxiety. She helps people return to the things they love and adapt to the changes their minds and bodies are undergoing. Her practice is completely virtual, so clients have one less visit to drive to and can be seen in the comfort of their own homes. Dr. Rizvi is comfortable with both short term and long term therapy and will work with clients to see which evidence based treatment approaches are best fit. You can e-mail her to schedule a free 15 min phone consultation.

More Info:
www.sarahrizviphd.com 
(408) 459-6246

Sharon A. Humphrey, PsyD

Sharon specializes in trauma, anxiety, pregnancy loss, fertility issues, and insomnia. Her training has been rigorous and she is well-versed in several modalities. Her approach is personalized. Expect warmth, genuine empathy, and a non-judgmental stance.

More Info:
www.sequoiapsychologyassociates.com
(650) 847-0058