Empathy No. 073

10/23/02, Brawney off. 3:11 PM

DR. BRAWNEY: Roderick, you seem upset today.

RODERICK: I'm not upset, I just don't see why I still have to come here. I don't see why we're still doing this.

DR. BRAWNEY: The intent is to help you-

RODERICK: Help me adjust, I know. Well, I have. It's been three months, I'm not having any problems at home. I'm not getting beaten up in school. I've adjusted. So why are we still here?

DR. BRAWNEY: So you truly feel that you no longer have any problems with your environment?

RODERICK: I don't. Everything is fine.

DR. BRAWNEY: You get along well with your stepsiblings?

RODERICK: Yes. And...and I'm getting the same grades I always have. And I'm not going to let you try and talk me into activities like everyone else is.

DR. BRAWNEY: I had no intention of doing that, but it sounds like you're still frustrated with your circumstances.

RODERICK: Only because people still expect things. This is who I am right now, and everyone wants me to be like I was when I was twelve. I'm not twelve anymore.

DR. BRAWNEY: Your mother still has concerns about you.

RODERICK: ...Yeah, I know we haven't been...it was a little awkward because of Carlie, but...and I still think she shouldn't have to work so much, but there's just no problem here.

DR. BRAWNEY: You aren't necessarily coming here because of any specific problem. You have had social issues in the past, and your mother and stepfather wanted you to have a private outlet to discuss any problems you might encounter without their judgment.

RODERICK: Yeah, right.

DR. BRAWNEY: Roderick, would you be open to speaking with another of my colleagues?

RODERICK: Another psychiatrist? Why?

DR. BRAWNEY: This would be more of a specialist.

RODERICK: A specialist in what? What is going on here?

DR. BRAWNEY: I am going to be open with you because I want to respect your intelligence. Over the course of our sessions, I've noticed that you have certain tendencies-

RODERICK: You said you weren't trying to diagnose me with anything! What tendencies?

DR. BRAWNEY: This isn't a diagnosis, I am merely describing observations. However, based on those observations, as well as comments your mother made about your childhood, my opinion is that you might benefit in speaking with a specialist.

RODERICK: I...what kind of specialist? What are you talking about?

DR. BRAWNEY: Autism disorders.

RODERICK: You think I'm autistic?

DR. BRAWNEY: I can't know that for a fact, but the research in this area is evolving all the time. You could actually be benefiting the cause of science-

RODERICK: I don't...why do you have to slap these labels on everything? Can't someone just be different?

DR. BRAWNEY: This is ultimately about helping you, Roderick.

RODERICK: No...no, I'm not agreeing to anything. I am not autistic.

DR. BRAWNEY: Okay. You've made your feelings very clear on this point.

RODERICK: I don't understand you people. Just when things are going all right, you have to make new problems for me.

DR. BRAWNEY: Very well, we don't need to discuss it any further.

RODERICK: I just want to live my life and everyone-

DR. BRAWNEY: Roderick, let's move on.