Official Diagnosis - in the US

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I can't figure out how to start this so I'll just jump right in. For various reasons I've suspected for a few years that I may be autistic. Due to crappy US employer based healthcare that requires over a $3000 deductible to even use, and a lack of healthcare options in the rural area I live in, I can't access comprehensive testing. I can, though, now afford to see a psychologist (PsyD, whatever that means) out of pocket, who has worked with females on the spectrum and says she can explore a diagnosis.

Now, I'm really just doing this to better understand myself and to be able to talk with those close to me about who I am and what I need, and I don't currently need any social services. That said, I feel a strong desire to know "officially" for whatever that's worth.

So, is it "official" if the diagnosis is made through speaking with a Psychologist, doing an extensive history, and possibly a few questionnaires, but no IQ-type testing? What "counts" as an official diagnosis in the US?

I've googled the heck out of this, but can't seem to figure it out. Anyone know?

All an official diagnosis is, is a report from a licensed mental health professional explaining that they think you have something, and their reasons why.

There is no such thing a a fool-proof ASD diagnosis; there is no blood or DNA test for it, for example.

A report from a licensed mental health professional should be enough to gain access to any services (mostly reasonable accommodations at work and school), so it should be sufficient for your own curiosity as well.

As a side note, ideally you would go to someone who specializes in Autism, as it is a particularly difficult thing to diagnose. It is generally very poorly understood.

As another aside, a PsyD is a type of non-medical doctorate in Psychology. PsyDs tend to focus on clinical practice (i.e. therapy and diagnosis practices), whereas PhD's can do so too, but often focus on academic research. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in mental health (and particularly the pharmacological aspects of it), and they have gone through medical school like other medical doctors. Only a Psychiatrist or Nurse Practitioner can prescribe medication.

TheOther,

I appreciate your response. There just seems to be such a lack of information for approaching diagnosis if you aren't a child. I did specifically seek out a Psychologist who had experience with autism in females, because in my online perusing I've seen that it is largely miss-understood. Thanks, also, for clarifying why it was a PsyD vs. a PhD, though it sounds like that ultimately doesn't matter as both a licensed mental health professionals. I am definitely not looking to be medicated, so I don't have a need for a Psychiatrist!

How much would spending $3,000 "put you out" financially?

If you're in a decent-sized city, you might be able to obtain an "official diagnosis" through being a participant in a research study.

The person who administers the tests would be either a Master's or PhD student. The tests would be evaluated by their supervisor, who would be a PhD psychologist. It would be either free----or they would give YOU money.

It is "official" according to whom? Work accommodation? Government benefits?

UCSD made me go to a neuropsychiatrist , outside of UCSD and outside of Kaiser

It had to be a certain type of doctor

And all that stupidass BS


If you are not trying to get work accommodation or government benefit, then there is no point in an "official" diagnosis


Sometimes psychologists make misdiagnosis


Even if the diagnosis is official, doesn't prove its correct

You would need to find a psychologist who specializes in autism presentation in women.

Since you are not seeking services but validation what I call "unofficial diagnoses" might provide that. What I call an "unofficial diagnosis" is being assessed by an autism professional and the clinician saying without producing a report that in her professional opinion you are autistic. Since a report is not being produced this should be less expensive. This is something you will have to specifically ask for.

I'm in CA and dropped $3500 to meet with a specialist in adult ASD in order to get an official diagnosis. My understanding is that if someone doesn't have expert credentials in adult ASD that you won't get that diagnosis. Historically I've gotten many other incorrect diagnosis that I always viewed as symptoms (depression, anxiety) and I never went through with treatment because their analysis never seemed thorough to me.

I don't believe an IQ test was part of my diagnosis and I don't believe IQ has any relevance in the diagnosis. The array of IQ's is pretty similar among neurotypical and autistic populations so I don't believe it's part of the diagnostic protocol.

My psychiatrist diagnosed me. For me, it's enough. I don't think I need an IQ test. I have always scored in the 95-99 percentile. Not completely sure what my actual number is. My sister is in the 99.7 percentile - wicked smart.

I hope you get what you need.
I think the research study idea given is a fantastic one.

Thanks, everyone, for the responses. I just don't like maybe's and possibly's, and need certainty (or as close to it as I can get) when it comes to a diagnosis. From what I've read here, I may not get as close to certainty as I'd like just talking to a psychologist. Maybe, if she feels that my suspicions are correct, I'll see if any of the California State Universities near me have any research projects going on, as it sounds like that is the best way to go if you can't afford traditional testing.

No IQ test for me. I included an 18 page narrative with my pre-assessment paperwork and numerous questionnaires and the assessment process itself was three hours of back and forth communication. The assessment was with a PhD Psychologist specializing in assessing adults at the autism society in my state. Official and valid. ASD Level 1 without cognitive impairment.

shootingstar: It sounds like you prepared pre-assessment information and either wrote about or talked about your history. You completed various questionnaires. Did you receive a rather lengthy final written report from your psychologist with the results of your assessment?

shootingstar: It sounds like you prepared pre-assessment information and either wrote about or talked about your history. You completed various questionnaires. Did you receive a rather lengthy final written report from your psychologist with the results of your assessment?[/quote]

I did do pre-assessment info, talked about my history, completed what felt like a million questionnaires, and my mom had to complete a few. I did not receive a lengthy final written report (nor did I ask for one). I am doing this to better understand myself, and to see if my suspicions are correct, not to access any services, and made that clear to my psychologist before beginning the process. That said, if I needed or wanted a report produced, it is something she said she could do.