[psychology]

[wispfox]

I am vaguely disturbed by _just_ how much I'm enjoying researching my intention of getting a PhD in Psychology. It's a bit difficult to find a combination of probable concentration interest (cognitive neuropsych) and topic interests (Autism Spectrum, especially NVLD, face blindness, and synesthesia are the main ones), though. ANU looks really promising (and unlike some other schools in AU I might name, are actually _replying_ to my questions), both for much research and for faculty working on potentially interesting topics.

It's somewhat annoying that, because I had insufficient information as an undergrad about the possibilities in Psych, I do not have very much psych class or research experience to draw upon when it comes time to apply. This mostly means that I need to take some classes (next fall, when doing so is less likely to be _stupid_ when combined with working and my damn wrists) between now and when it comes time to stop working, take my year off, and apply to school. Hopefully, doing so will also give me recommendation possibilities which are related to Psych. Because, right now, unless I count my mom (well... no), I don't have any. At all. This makes grad school application difficult.

Amusing, though, to have this research reminding me of such things as many tests being performed on me and my siblings, while my mom was in school for school Psych. Or the fact that I would randomly browse through the DSM-IV, because it intrigued me (some people browse dictionaries. Me? I browsed the DSM-IV). Or the fact that I went to a Psych stats course with my mom as a teen, because she thought I might be interested (I was, and baffled the professor because I was actually keeping up, for the most part).

Also very, _very_ annoying to have to limit my research and such because of my damn hands. But I'm close to being out of flare again! And I intend to remain offline during the long weekend, to get there.

Comments

[szasz.livejournal.com]

My friend kateorama has a Ph.D. in Psychology, and has a lot of clinical experience with autism-spectrum clients, mostly NVLD adolescents. She's a clinician, moreso than a researcher, but I'm sure she'd be glad to share her experiences with you if you'd like.

[wispfox.livejournal.com]

I would, in fact, like to talk to her. Not sure how much I'm going to be able to get from a clinician, but it can't hurt. :)

[kateorama.livejournal.com]

OMG I will *so* ignore that clinician comment. Besides, I did my degree at Univ of Illinois, so I'm really a clinical-science (i.e. research trained) person, I just happen to do clinical work too. SO THERE!! Easiest way to contact me is e-mail -- nucleusxoxo on yahoo.

RE: Autism spectrum and NVLD stuff, you might want to talk to/e-mail with Wendy Heller (a clinical psych prof at UIUC, you can find her via directory search at www.uiuc.edu). She does neuropsychology and emotion stuff, focusing on fMRI work, but has a strong interest in NVLD (and supervised my clinical work with a child/pre-teen with NVLD/Asperger's and various other neuropsych, emotional and cognitive "issues"). She may have some good ideas or names to give you.

[wispfox.livejournal.com]

clinician: *amused* Ok, perhaps you would be better able to offer advice than I was originally given to understand. :)

Wendy Heller suggestion: Thank you! I will definitely send her email.

Also, thank you for your email address. I won't be able to send much mail right now because of wrist tendonitis, but I'll hang onto it for when my wrists aren't _quite_ so limiting of my hand use.

[(Anonymous)]

dude, since when am I a clinician more than a researcher? hmph. okay, maybe regarding NVLD and autism stuff, that's true. but overall? hardly. *grump*

[szasz.livejournal.com]

Well, that's what I was specifically thinking of, was your clinical experience with the kid. Didn't mean to imply that you didn't do research on ANY topic.