Formal diagnosis - Revision history

172.30.3.66: /* Steps to seek diagnosis in the US */

2023-04-12T16:44:26Z

Steps to seek diagnosis in the US

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:44, 12 April 2023
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	* Find a clinician in a private practice who is knowledgable about autism. This can be through word of mouth, recommendations from others in the community or local Facebook group, or resources like Psychology Today's "Find a Therapist" tool [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists here]. Though not all therapists can provide formal diagnoses, this database includes providers who may perform diagnostic services as well.		* Find a clinician in a private practice who is knowledgable about autism. This can be through word of mouth, recommendations from others in the community or local Facebook group, or resources like Psychology Today's "Find a Therapist" tool [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists here]. Though not all therapists can provide formal diagnoses, this database includes providers who may perform diagnostic services as well.
	* This database allows you to filter mental health professionals by location, profession, and area of expertise. If you are specifically seeking a formal diagnosis, look at the professional's credentials. Those with MD, NP or PMHNP, PsyD, or PhD are usually able to provide diagnoses, but read their bios to get an idea of what services they provide. Their pages include contact information, so you can make a phone call or send an email to inquire about services as well.		* This database allows you to filter mental health professionals by location, profession, and area of expertise. If you are specifically seeking a formal diagnosis, look at the professional's credentials. Those with MD, NP or PMHNP, PsyD, or PhD are usually able to provide diagnoses, but read their bios to get an idea of what services they provide. Their pages include contact information, so you can make a phone call or send an email to inquire about services as well.
	* Not all clinicians are autistic affirming. ~~This~~ database ~~lists providers that are neurodivergence~~ affirming [https://ndtherapists.com/]. Clinicians can be filtered by location.		* Not all clinicians are autistic affirming or educated on autism. A database of neurodivergent-affirming therapists can be found [https://ndtherapists.com/ here]. Clinicians can be filtered by location.

	== See also ==		== See also ==

172.30.3.66: /* Steps to seek diagnosis in the US */

2023-04-12T16:42:44Z

Steps to seek diagnosis in the US

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:42, 12 April 2023
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	* Find a clinician in a private practice who is knowledgable about autism. This can be through word of mouth, recommendations from others in the community or local Facebook group, or resources like Psychology Today's "Find a Therapist" tool [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists here]. Though not all therapists can provide formal diagnoses, this database includes providers who may perform diagnostic services as well.		* Find a clinician in a private practice who is knowledgable about autism. This can be through word of mouth, recommendations from others in the community or local Facebook group, or resources like Psychology Today's "Find a Therapist" tool [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists here]. Though not all therapists can provide formal diagnoses, this database includes providers who may perform diagnostic services as well.
	* This database allows you to filter mental health professionals by location, profession, and area of expertise. If you are specifically seeking a formal diagnosis, look at the professional's credentials. Those with MD, NP or PMHNP, PsyD, or PhD are usually able to provide diagnoses, but read their bios to get an idea of what services they provide. Their pages include contact information, so you can make a phone call or send an email to inquire about services as well.		* This database allows you to filter mental health professionals by location, profession, and area of expertise. If you are specifically seeking a formal diagnosis, look at the professional's credentials. Those with MD, NP or PMHNP, PsyD, or PhD are usually able to provide diagnoses, but read their bios to get an idea of what services they provide. Their pages include contact information, so you can make a phone call or send an email to inquire about services as well.
			* Not all clinicians are autistic affirming. This database lists providers that are neurodivergence affirming [https://ndtherapists.com/]. Clinicians can be filtered by location.

	== See also ==		== See also ==

Dell: /* Pros and cons of a formal diagnosis */

2022-08-24T11:35:51Z

Pros and cons of a formal diagnosis

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:35, 24 August 2022
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	*There are many barriers to receiving a formal diagnosis including cost, wait times, and lack of access depending on your location, as well as the possibility of inaccurate assessment due to lack of education among professionals.		*There are many barriers to receiving a formal diagnosis including cost, wait times, and lack of access depending on your location, as well as the possibility of inaccurate assessment due to lack of education among professionals.

			*Many marginalized people have difficulty finding a qualified professional, and some professionals fail to see Autism in women and other marginalized people.

	*There are some places that can- or even do!- put restrictions on formally diagnosed autistics. Please see [[Drawbacks_of_diagnosis\|drawbacks of being diagnosed]] for more information.		*There are some places that can- or even do!- put restrictions on formally diagnosed autistics. Please see [[Drawbacks_of_diagnosis\|drawbacks of being diagnosed]] for more information.

Dell: /* Pros and cons of a formal diagnosis */

2022-08-24T11:33:23Z

Pros and cons of a formal diagnosis

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:33, 24 August 2022
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	== Pros and cons of a formal diagnosis ==		== Pros and cons of a formal diagnosis ==
	Some people choose to seek formal diagnosis if they need documentation of their autism by a professional in order to qualify for certain accommodations such as public disability benefits. In addition, some people feel that it can be validating to receive a formal diagnosis. ''Please keep in mind that it is both valid to want a formal diagnosis and valid to not seek a formal diagnosis.'' There are many barriers to receiving a formal diagnosis including cost, wait times, and lack of access depending on your location, as well as the possibility of inaccurate assessment due to lack of education among professionals.

	~~There are some places~~ that ~~can- or even do!- put restrictions on formally diagnosed autistics. Please see [[Drawbacks_of_diagnosis\|drawbacks of being diagnosed]] for more information~~.		''Please keep in mind that it is both valid to want a formal diagnosis and valid to not seek a formal diagnosis.''

	In the UK there are a number of support organizations available when one has a diagnosis of autism. One of the things they do have in certain areas is an Autism Alert Card which you carry in your wallet. It is recognised by the police and emergency services. If the emergency services encounter you they can see this card and then know how to deal with you - the card has details about autism and how you might react in a situation; explaining you might have communication problems; that the behaviour of them and other people might seem threatening to you; that you might feel frightened, threatened and overwhelmed; that you might be experiencing sensory overload and that you cannot cope.		===Pros===

			*Some people choose to seek formal diagnosis if they need documentation of their autism by a professional in order to qualify for certain accommodations such as public disability benefits.

			*Some people feel that it can be validating to receive a formal diagnosis.

			*In the UK there are a number of support organizations available when one has a diagnosis of autism. One of the things they do have in certain areas is an Autism Alert Card which you carry in your wallet. It is recognised by the police and emergency services. If the emergency services encounter you they can see this card and then know how to deal with you - the card has details about autism and how you might react in a situation; explaining you might have communication problems; that the behaviour of them and other people might seem threatening to you; that you might feel frightened, threatened and overwhelmed; that you might be experiencing sensory overload and that you cannot cope.

			===Cons===

			*There are many barriers to receiving a formal diagnosis including cost, wait times, and lack of access depending on your location, as well as the possibility of inaccurate assessment due to lack of education among professionals.

			*There are some places that can- or even do!- put restrictions on formally diagnosed autistics. Please see [[Drawbacks_of_diagnosis\|drawbacks of being diagnosed]] for more information.

	== Diagnostic process in the US ==		== Diagnostic process in the US ==

Dell at 11:28, 24 August 2022

2022-08-24T11:28:16Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:28, 24 August 2022
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	* [[Drawbacks of diagnosis]]		* [[Drawbacks of diagnosis]]
	* [[Self diagnosis]]		* [[Self-diagnosis]]

Dell at 11:27, 24 August 2022

2022-08-24T11:27:48Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:27, 24 August 2022
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	* [[Drawbacks of diagnosis]]		* [[Drawbacks of diagnosis]]
			* [[Self diagnosis]]

172.30.4.194: /* Pros and cons of a formal diagnosis */

2022-08-24T01:00:44Z

Pros and cons of a formal diagnosis

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:00, 24 August 2022
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	There are some places that can- or even do!- put restrictions on formally diagnosed autistics. Please see [[Drawbacks_of_diagnosis\|drawbacks of being diagnosed]] for more information.		There are some places that can- or even do!- put restrictions on formally diagnosed autistics. Please see [[Drawbacks_of_diagnosis\|drawbacks of being diagnosed]] for more information.

	In the UK there are a number of support organizations available when one has a diagnosis of autism. One of the things they do have ~~iin~~ certain areas is an Autism Alert Card which you carry in your wallet. It is recognised by the police and emergency services. If the emergency services encounter you they can see this card and then know how to deal with you - the card has details about autism and how you might react in a situation; explaining you might have communication problems; that the behaviour of them and other people might seem threatening to you; that you might feel frightened, threatened and overwhelmed; that you might be experiencing sensory overload and that you cannot cope.		In the UK there are a number of support organizations available when one has a diagnosis of autism. One of the things they do have in certain areas is an Autism Alert Card which you carry in your wallet. It is recognised by the police and emergency services. If the emergency services encounter you they can see this card and then know how to deal with you - the card has details about autism and how you might react in a situation; explaining you might have communication problems; that the behaviour of them and other people might seem threatening to you; that you might feel frightened, threatened and overwhelmed; that you might be experiencing sensory overload and that you cannot cope.

	== Diagnostic process in the US ==		== Diagnostic process in the US ==

172.30.4.194: /* Pros and cons of a formal diagnosis */

2022-08-24T01:00:20Z

Pros and cons of a formal diagnosis

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:00, 24 August 2022
Line 10:		Line 10:
	There are some places that can- or even do!- put restrictions on formally diagnosed autistics. Please see [[Drawbacks_of_diagnosis\|drawbacks of being diagnosed]] for more information.		There are some places that can- or even do!- put restrictions on formally diagnosed autistics. Please see [[Drawbacks_of_diagnosis\|drawbacks of being diagnosed]] for more information.

	In the UK there are a number of support organizations available when one has a diagnosis of autism. One of the things they do have is an Autism Alert Card which you carry in your wallet. If the emergency services encounter you they can see this card and then know how to deal with you - the card has details about autism and how you might react in a situation; explaining you might have communication problems; that the behaviour of them and other people might seem threatening to you; that you might feel frightened, threatened and overwhelmed; that you might be experiencing sensory overload and that you cannot cope.		In the UK there are a number of support organizations available when one has a diagnosis of autism. One of the things they do have iin certain areas is an Autism Alert Card which you carry in your wallet. It is recognised by the police and emergency services. If the emergency services encounter you they can see this card and then know how to deal with you - the card has details about autism and how you might react in a situation; explaining you might have communication problems; that the behaviour of them and other people might seem threatening to you; that you might feel frightened, threatened and overwhelmed; that you might be experiencing sensory overload and that you cannot cope.

	== Diagnostic process in the US ==		== Diagnostic process in the US ==

172.30.4.194: /* Pros and cons of a formal diagnosis */

2022-08-24T00:59:05Z

Pros and cons of a formal diagnosis

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:59, 24 August 2022
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	There are some places that can- or even do!- put restrictions on formally diagnosed autistics. Please see [[Drawbacks_of_diagnosis\|drawbacks of being diagnosed]] for more information.		There are some places that can- or even do!- put restrictions on formally diagnosed autistics. Please see [[Drawbacks_of_diagnosis\|drawbacks of being diagnosed]] for more information.

			In the UK there are a number of support organizations available when one has a diagnosis of autism. One of the things they do have is an Autism Alert Card which you carry in your wallet. If the emergency services encounter you they can see this card and then know how to deal with you - the card has details about autism and how you might react in a situation; explaining you might have communication problems; that the behaviour of them and other people might seem threatening to you; that you might feel frightened, threatened and overwhelmed; that you might be experiencing sensory overload and that you cannot cope.

	== Diagnostic process in the US ==		== Diagnostic process in the US ==

172.30.4.194: /* Formal diagnosis vs. self-diagnosis */

2022-08-24T00:51:59Z

Formal diagnosis vs. self-diagnosis

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:51, 24 August 2022
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	== Formal diagnosis vs. self-diagnosis ==		== Formal diagnosis vs. self-diagnosis ==

	It is a personal choice whether to seek formal diagnosis of your autism, and whichever decision you choose to make is valid. '''It is believed by the vast majority of the autism community that self-diagnosis is 100% valid. You may identify as autistic even if you have not been formally diagnosed.''' In The United Kingdom it can be very hard to get a diagnosis of autism ~~and~~ / or aspergers, especially if you are older. If you think you are autistic in the UK then see your doctor, ask for a referral and do not give up. It takes time. Just keep trying.		It is a personal choice whether to seek formal diagnosis of your autism, and whichever decision you choose to make is valid. '''It is believed by the vast majority of the autism community that self-diagnosis is 100% valid. You may identify as autistic even if you have not been formally diagnosed.''' In The United Kingdom it can be very hard to get a diagnosis of autism / aspergers, especially if you are older. If you think you are autistic in the UK then see your doctor, ask for a referral and do not give up. It takes time. Just keep trying.

	== Pros and cons of a formal diagnosis ==		== Pros and cons of a formal diagnosis ==