How can I get diagnosed officially?

[corrinnemcmahon]

I am broke also so that's an issue. I am just about to start working with an autism specialist though. My other therapist is doing some research for me.

 

[Slithytoves]

Hi, Corrinne. Welcome to AC.

I see that you're a recent immigrant to the U.S. What visa did you enter on? Status?

It sounds like you have existing relationships with professionals who can find you a qualified assessor. I'd wait until you hear what they come up with before investigating on your own. No need to waste the time unless they can't find someone for you.

Good luck. I see that your therapist agrees that you almost definitely have an ASD, so I hope it's a smooth process getting it confirmed.

 

[23andaspie]

Prior to finding my psychologist who had specific training in diagnosing ASDs, I had seen 2 psychiatrists and 2 therapists (LMFT/non-doctorate); one in the later category specializing specifically in Asperger Syndrome in adults, though did not have the experience/credentials to provide a diagnosis. She referred me externally when I stressed the importance of me having a formal diagnosis.

The psychiatrists as one would expect of MDs were familiar with medications but neither could provide a diagnosis either.

I found my psychologist on psychologytoday.com (though I found one of the others there as well), and called specifically inquiring about whether she could perform an ASD diagnosis. This was key; this is what you should be looking for specifically.

That being said, my diagnosis was quite expensive, though at that time I had the finances for it and still believe it was worth every penny. The costliness was largely a result of insurance not covering diagnoses (go figure), and that it involved approximately 14-15 hours.

Good luck! Let me know if you have any specific questions.

 

[Slithytoves]

Prior to finding my psychologist who had specific training in diagnosing ASDs, I had seen 2 psychiatrists and 2 therapists (LMFT/non-doctorate); one in the later category specializing specifically in Asperger Syndrome in adults, though did not have the experience/credentials to provide a diagnosis. She referred me externally when I stressed the importance of me having a formal diagnosis.

The psychiatrists as one would expect of MDs were familiar with medications but neither could provide a diagnosis either.

I found my psychologist on psychologytoday.com (though I found one of the others there as well), and called specifically inquiring about whether she could perform an ASD diagnosis. This was key; this is what you should be looking for specifically.

That being said, my diagnosis was quite expensive, though at that time I had the finances for it and still believe it was worth every penny. The costliness was largely a result of insurance not covering diagnoses (go figure), and that it involved approximately 14-15 hours.

Good luck! Let me know if you have any specific questions.

She says she's "broke", so she won't have the luxury of choice. That's why I suggested waiting until she sees what her current clinical connections can do for her. If she has to go into the public system (income-based scale or even free), that could be hard as a new immigrant depending on what visa she came here with.

Very few American public mental health systems have ASD specialists on staff, though there are a few autism-related organizations scattered across the U.S. that can help Corrinne find the lowest-cost private option, if she lives in one of their service areas. Public mental health providers' staff do see plenty of people on the spectrum, though, since so many of us are un- or under-employed. They may not be specialists, but there's often someone on staff who does more evaluations than the others and knows their way around an autistic.

I guess we'll see what she hears from her team.

 

[corrinnemcmahon]

I have a number for an autism specialist to call tomorrow, I'm so scared I know I have Aspergers but I love the therapist I'm with right now,bs he is so kind to me.