Conflicting information (ASD and post traumatic stress therapy)

When I went for my consultation for Autism spectrum disorder, the consultant expressed surprise and concern that my therapist had been using a selection of types of therapy with me (i.e. cbt, dbt and several more that I can't remember as there was lots of abbreviations) and that I'd seen her for 51 sessions up to the point of consultation.

In particular, my wife (who was present and probably more aware of what was going on around me as it was intensive stuff and I was somewhat overwhelmed) picked up that persisting with trying to clear 'post traumatic stress' was akin to opening a can of worms that would not help me.

Prior to this I had mentioned to my therapist that it wasn't working and if anything was reliving events that I'd be quite happy to just put closure to and move on.

This seems even more so the case now that I've received the diagnosis as on a logical perspective, the abuse (parental, peers and teachers - verbal, physical, emotional) was a result of poor interaction and communication skills at that time... now I can pretty much understand the reason why.

With that said... I haven't fully mentioned the consultants view yet and I know my therapist wants to get back to 'shifting the trauma' via some type of tapping therapy (I hold two vibrating items that alternate and I allow time for thoughts and memories to come and go... or something like that).

Would be interested to see what anyone else here thinks as I'm still coming to terms with the diagnosis and a little wobbly since it's just been two days since I was discharged from an acute mental health ward. Seeing therapist tomorrow.

The consultant (according to my wife) implied that I should utilise the therapists services as a sounding board rather than anything else.

I am a little confused which diagnosis is "new" and why being abused because you were ASD and not good at interaction and communicating, thus causing a PTSD situation, cannot be worked on in a learn-better-interaction-and-communication skills way?

Yes, that will probably make the PTSD situation feel more immediate but that misunderstanding you and your abusers had (that you weren't just being stubborn or bad and needed punishment) also still needs addressing so your future interactions do not trigger and re-enforce the old PTSD situation. Presumably now that "everyone" knows you have ASD, treatment of your actions that others misinterpreted before will change so as not to be abusive but that you lived for however many years and grew up in an abusive situation largely through ignorance can still be profitably addressed if you want?

In other words, you cannot change what happened in the past but looking at it and understanding each negative in light of the new information and perspective might be able to help soften some of those PTSD reactions and responses in you?

I don't know what to say or what you want me to say, I just thought I'd tell you the "tapping therapy" is EMDR.

I think the ASD is new and explains a lot of the PTSD related to a buse, also the consultant seems surprised your T is trying such things, possibly thinking this is not helping you? I Think what you are asking is where do you continue in therapy when her focus is on "curing" PTSD and now you now why certain things happened you are reeling a bit??

Maybe I'm off base but thats what I hear.

Yeah Jane... sorry if the OP was confusing... essentially that's what I'm saying. How I figured it in my head (but even then, I don't know if I'm just getting myself more muddled), is that I take things quite literally in face to face situations... and 'revisiting' the past is re-enforcing those messages rather than helping me move on from them.

Not sure if anyone else can relate to what I'm saying... I know my T is good at her job, but I'm not sure if this the wiring issue: ASD vs Neurotypical.

I suppose in one way by reading the above of what I've just written, this is something I can ask myself tomorrow.

As far as your ASD diagnosis is concerned, I think that of all the therapies available, CBT is considered one of the more useful. I am also surprised they used DBT - it's abstract nature and overall zen feel to it doesn't always mesh with people who are more concrete thinkers. It really depends overall what you would want to get out of your therapy. I know for some people on the spectrum or with ADD, talk therapy is overwhelming and they prefer a structured approach that's geared toward skill building and problem solving. I have ADD (which has traits that overlaps with those on the spectrum) and my daughter has ASD. i think we both benefit from using the T as a sounding board like your wife said- as mentors almost to help us through social situations that are harder to navigate. Communication issues can be helped this way too. If you want it to, the CBT approach addresses effective communication and interpersonal effectiveness.
I don't knew what to say about the trauma because I agree a lot of it may stem from the lack of understanding of ASD and the mistreatment and abuse you suffered as a result. I don't know much about the newer EDMR type treatment although it's said to be effective for some people. You may or may not benefit, I think it all depends on you and your comfort level. Some people do just fine focusing on the present first and prefer not to relive the past. Then of course some people don't. I think there is no real right or wrong answer and it really has to come from your immediate goals and what changes your looking to make.