I'm considering a position at this organization but I want to hear from others who have worked here or interacted with the association in any way. What was your experience like? There isn't much out there on Glassdoor, etc. TIA!
I saw a psychiatrist a while ago who referred me for an autism assessment. I've been diagnosed with ADHD and OCD and I've suspected autism too. It's also been flagged to me by medical and mental health professionals. They referred me to a psychiatrist who mainly works with children.
The appointment starts because she's late. She also tells me she didn't have time to read my notes. She didn't ask for pronouns and used the word "females" a lot. The Dr. mentioned having parents or siblings for the assessment but I explained that wasn't possible because I'm no contact with my family. She kept repeating how difficult it would be to assess me properly without access to my parents, but there was nothing she could do to "accommodate" me. She asked if I ever saw a psychiatrist or psychologist as a child and I said no. She asked, "why not?" I explained how we were poor, my mom was neglectful, we lived in a very rural area, it was normalized to not see doctors for mental health reasons, and she seemed to be confused by this. She also asked if family members were diagnosed and said no, for many of the same reasons.
When I asked for clarification about what the appointment would involve, she responded and then said, "I can tell you're disappointed" but I wasn't, and told her that. At one point when I told her I excelled at spelling as a child she responded, "well that makes sense, you're very articulate". She also said--two separate times--how I'm doing very well despite my struggles. Then at the end she answered a phone call speaking to me mid-sentence.
She told me for our next appointment, I should print out report cards and diary entries and highlight things that match the DSM ASD criteria in children because this is the only way to assess what I was like as a child and to assess if I actually am autistic.
The whole thing felt very dismissive and patronizing and I'm considering just cancelling the appointment. Ultimately I don't *need* a diagnosis, but thought it'd be nice to have just in case. I did not like vibe. Has anyone experienced anything similar?
This man is awesome. He was at the Fight Ford protests yesterday in the pouring rain. He was at the OSAP cuts protests at Brock when only a few dozen people showed up. When the Folk Arts Festival happens, he's at every event and location every year--Greek, Armenian, Filipino--you name it. He greets everyone with a smile and a wave even if he doesn't know you. This is a man of the people. Not to mention the best moustache in Niagara.