Because many adults have adapted strategies to navigate a predominantly neurotypical world, their differences might be less easy to identify than those of children which may result in fewer adults receiving an official diagnosis.
It is never too late for an individual to increase self-awareness in order to capitalize on strengths and work around areas of challenge. What one does with this information at the ages of 20, 50, or 70 may differ, but in all cases it can still offer great value and improve quality of life. At AANE, our bias is that it is better to know than not to know. This journey can be facilitated through non-judgmental and kind support. AANE is here to help you figure this out.
If you are interested in receiving a diagnosis, visit our Diagnositician Directory. We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our site. By continuing to use the site, you consent to our use of cookies.
That said, many people choose to seek a diagnosis from a professional for many reasons. Below is a guide to help you navigate the current diagnostic landscape. This process can be confusing for anyone, as the designations can change from year to year, and there is on-going debate among professionals and non-professionals regarding the parameters of diagnosis.
Know that AANE is here to answer your questions. Also, know that diagnosis, by its very nature, describes broad generalizations. Here at AANE, regardless of your diagnosis, we recognize your unique experience as an individual. Working with a professional There are numerous reasons as to why someone might seek a formal diagnosis. A diagnosis is needed to request reasonable accommodations for employment under the Americans with Disabilities Act ADA.
See Adult Life Planning and Employment for more information. Is it ever too late to discover an Asperger profile or to seek a diagnosis? Young adults may use this self-knowledge to improve their college experience by: Choosing a single room to decrease social and sensory demands and to ensure a safe haven.
Possibly living at home to minimize the number of changes to adjust to all at once. Joining interest-based groups so that socializing has a purpose. A social worker may help them to channel their individual interests to better understand their social relationships and sexuality. As families begin to consider plans for their children beyond high school, social workers provide counseling to ease the transition and to also identify educational and vocational programs and housing options available to young adults.
Social workers can offer supportive counseling and clinical case management. Family members are usually involved. Social workers may bill insurance companies or an HMO for their services if they are members of provider panels. Otherwise, it is possible to pay privately, and some practitioners might offer an extended payment plan or sliding fee.
To find a social worker who can assist you, call the Social Work Referral Service of the Massachusetts chapter of the National Association of Social Workers at Also your physician, local school system or local Asperger association might assist with a referral to a social worker.
Psychiatrists usually complete at least a year of basic medical training internship and three years training in mental health care of adults, after which Child Psychiatrist add two years training with children and adolescents. There are also some Child Psychiatrists who initial training is in Pediatrics. Many but not all psychiatrists who work with children with these disorders have gotten additional training or exposure in specialized settings.
What a child psychiatrist offers depends to a certain degree on their training and areas of expertise. The following list starts with the services more child psychiatrist offer, then includes services some, but not all, will offer. Common secondary diagnoses include ADHD, depression, generalized anxiety, or more specific anxiety disorders such as OCD or panic attacks. Treatment of these disorders involves specific therapies and consultation with other professionals.
The clinical psychologist also must help identify and reduce stressors in the environments in which the child functions.
Family therapy, Chapter plans, special education plans and summer planning are common interventions at this level of treatment. The clinical psychologist will likely be involved with the child and family for several year, sometimes on a monitoring relationship two or three times a year, sometimes doing family therapy, and sometimes more frequently and regularly with the child as new concerns may emerge.
By: Suzanne Dowdall, Ph. D, Newton, MA. A neuropsychologist is a licensed psychologist who has received a doctorate Ph D. D, or Ed. As a result, the people who are best qualified to diagnose children with autism are those professionals who have had the most experience in doing so, and those professionals may have a wide range of titles.
These may include:. In addition to these medical professionals, there are many therapists who can take part in a multidisciplinary evaluation of your child.
While these people are not medically trained, they may know as much or more about autism as a highly trained doctor -- simply because they spend so much time around autistic people. These individuals may include:. There is no simple medical test for autism, and there are many disorders that look similar to autism sensory processing disorder, apraxia of speech, and ADHD are just a few examples.
Because of this, diagnosis is based on a combination of parent interviews, non-medical tests, observation, and professional judgment. That's why experience, in addition to training, can be critical in providing a meaningful diagnosis. With so many possible options, who is the right person to diagnose your child? The answer depends, to a large degree, upon who is available. Depending on where you live, you may find that there is a long wait to see a developmental pediatrician, while you can get in to see an experienced child psychologist almost right away.
While you might be more impressed with the developmental pediatrician's credentials, you might decide that the wait is simply too long. If your child really is autistic, early intervention can be very effective—and the earlier your child starts therapy the better his outcomes are likely to be. Another issue to consider is money. You may discover that, while a neurologist is covered by insurance, a psychologist is not.
In some states, early intervention programs provide free multidisciplinary evaluations; in other states, such evaluations may be hard to access. A word of advice from highly experienced psychologist Dr. Robert Naseef: even if your initial diagnosis comes from a psychologist, it may be worth your while to also consult an M. The reason is more political than medical: without an M. The right person or group to diagnose your child will be trained, experienced, affordable and available in your area.
To find that person or group :. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Can Fam Physician.
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