'Official' Diagnosis

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What is classified as an 'official' diagnosis? I was diagnosed by my psychologist - who I don't think is a clinical psychologist - and I suspect the diagnosis was corroborated by my GP, though my GP did not mention it directly to me. I'm wondering if I should clarify this with my GP.
I personally believe I do have Asperger's but a couple of people who know me quite well are dubious. One of them, my own mother, suggested that I can't be sure because I don't have an 'official' diagnosis, and so that made me wonder how to obtain an official diagnosis - or is what I received official enough and it would be needless to travel through the further ecchelons of clincians to psychiatrists and what have you.

The thing is, I think their uncertainty is partly irrational in that they may be in denial, or negatively influenced by preconceived perceptions of ASD. But all the same it would be convenient to just say 'I received an official diagnosis, there's nothing more to prove'
rather than having to explain to them, over and over the myriad of ways I experience Asperger's.

Were you told "you probably have this" or "this is you, so we'll act like this" or did you get something in your records that you can cite for things like requests for accommodations?


The first psychologist I saw did the former - she said "I'm pretty sure that this is you, however I can't do a complete evaluation and know for sure"

The person who diagnosed me was a neuropsychologist who did a diagnosis evaluation and gave me a 11 page report on how he determined I had Asperger's.

I think you need a clinical psychologist to diagnose it "officially", as a normal psycho referred me to one for the OCD diagnosis (just official stuff she said, though she said I had it just the same). A psychiatrist can, of course. This is here in Oz.

I think you need a couple of doctors, which is a GP and a psychiatrist to be eligible for benefits here in Oz.

In the US, any clinical psychologist can diagnose you, even without tests. I think counseling psychologists can too, and maybe school psychologists.

All they need to know to officially diagnose you is if you fit the official criteria, which includes the presence of symptoms throughout your life and that symptoms aren't better explained by other things.

A diagnosis by a psychologist is official.

Down here, in the wilds of southern australia where I live, you're not officially autistic until the Assessment Committee have reviewed a report from a psychiatrist and a report from a psychologist and agreed that you're it.

I've no knowledge, though, of how things are managed in more civilised climes.

During a session with her I asked her if it was a clinical diagnosis. She said it was. She also said 'We think you have it'. The only person I can think of who would constitute as the second half of this 'we' is my GP who referred me to the psychologist.

My psychologist didn't really mention anything about where to go from here, now that I have my diagnosis. She let me borrow a book about Asperger's, that was about it. This was early last year by the way, but I've been doing a lot of thinking about it since then.

And yeah, I'm in Oz and I didn't even know you could benefits or anything like that.

I personally would relay that information:

as "I have been diagnosed by a psychologist"... and then would tell those who disputed that it was unfortunate that they were distrusting.

If they doubt, then oh well for them. If you still have support in the ways you need it, and can improve yourself knowing what your deficiencies are then you are much more set up than many ASD people who are unaware of their spectrum status.

Let me guess Tony Attwood book? I fed that book to my parrot.

incorrect? heres the book theres the door?

I had 6 years of "mental health service though", they just decreased the time frame of seeing me now.

Just posting to "mark" this thread. I'm currently trying to work out how to get a diagnosis so any further posts here could be helpful.

I agree. Getting the diagnosis was actually a sort of positive thing and a relief, oddly enough. I knew there was something interfering with my behaviour, and having a fitting word for it is better than no word. Additionally it's stopped me from blaming myself for not being 'normal' in many areas, or thinking something's wrong with me which needs to be fixed.


Tony Attwood. Bingo.



I'll report back here after I've seen my GP, which will be in about two weeks time.

Thanks, I'd be keen to hear an update. As it is I've decided to wait a couple of weeks until after mid-semester exams and assignments to really start chasing this up. I spoke to someone at Minds & Hearts who said I have to start by getting a mental health plan from a GP but they warned me it won't be for aspergers - it will have to be to treat all the conditions like depression, anxiety, stress etc. I've had trouble with GPs before so going to finish my assessments and collect and calm myself before I start trying to head down the road to diagnosis.

For a diagnosis to be official, it has to be in your medical record and the report that comes with the diagnosis should clearly state that other disorders that could cause similar symptoms were ruled out to "prove" that the disorder you have is AS.

Of course, some professionals just skip the part of figuring out whether instead of AS, you have many AS-like symptoms and would seemingly fit the criteria perfectly just because you have some of the following condition instead: anxiety disorder, schizoid personality disorder, schizophrenia, another personality disorder, depression, ADHD, reactive attachment disorder (it's rare but it exists, can be really sad)... can't think of more than that at the moment.

No doubt. I am self dx, strongly convinced. It makes it easier to focus on improving the things that a normal adult would improve that is outside of the scope of ASD issues.

So is there anywhere on WP to say "I got an official diagnoses."?
I really don't want to start another thread just to say that but I would really like to share the news.

Reading all this, I get the impression that too much emphasis is put on whether a dx is official or not. A dx is never the last word in determining what you really have. It's a professional opinion, nothing less or more. I understand that we (people on the autism spectrum) are more likely to get caught up in labels and diagnoses (I see it in myself, too), but ultimately it's the help and understanding we get is what counts. So, OP, just say your dx is official and never mind if they don't believe you have it. You can explain it to them, nevertheless.

Just don't try saying that in a law court or to police. they would check