Thoughts on Tania Marshall -- Diagnosis via Skype?

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Any thoughts on Tania Marshall's diagnosis consultation service via Skype? I am currently in email discussions with her assistant on setting this up (but haven't formally agreed to it yet).

It sounds like some people here have had good experiences with her, but I have some reservations:

-- She will consult on an Aspergers diagnosis, but the DSM-V does not recognize Aspergers. (I live in the US, so that's an issue for me.)

-- I have no reason to think this, but it feels like a diagnosis is guaranteed. I could be totally off-base in this perception though. Does anyone have experience with her who can talk to the process and its rigor? The process apparently involves two two-hour sessions on Skype, including a "formal assessment," and involves a written 3-4 page bio from the patient.

I don't want a diagnosis just to have one and I don't plan to show any employers. I only want peace of mind, but I don't want to pay for false peace of mind.

Here is her site, if anyone is wondering what I'm talking about: http://www.taniamarshall.com/index.html

Your reservations suggest that you might question this diagnosis afterwards, thus defeating the purpose of getting peace of mind.

One of my reservations would be diagnosis by skype instead of in person. I think it is better for the psych to see you in person to make accurate assessments of your behaviors. When skyping, the webcams don't capture the face-to-face interaction well. The whole interaction is not like in person interaction and throws off the diagnosis. Most people would appear more autistic through skype. In person interaction is needed to get accurate picture of social behaviors critical for autism assessment.

Not if I get more information first. I have had reservations about all kinds of things in my life that I ended up being pretty content with. Knowledge is power.

The caveat is you have not gone through it yet so I can not know for sure what it entails.

I do not have qualms about using technology in this way. But I would be more comfortable if she asked for school records (if they exist) if she had structured interviews via skype or phone with someone who has known you for a long time preferably since early childhood and she complimented it with some recognized tests. You of course should bring these concerns to her, ask for extra throughness, and ask to have her diagnose you using the DSM 5.

I personally view it similar to self diagnosis as a workaround made necessary by the lack of access for many to competent clinictions that understand how autism presents in adults and particularly adult women. This will be ok for some people and not ok for others. But to repeat this is only a tentative opinion subject to change based on what her assessments actually entail.

I hope it goes well for you and provides you with answers.

I have that impression as well, perhaps partially from reading amazon reviews of her book.

I looked at the website and the page ASC Diagnostic Assessments is empty. Can anyone confirm? It may just be my browser configuration: http://www.taniamarshall.com/asc-diagno ... ments.html

I have a 25 page report come up in in the latest Firefox and it seems through. Do the usual take out add-ons or try another browser

There's a pdf about diagnostic instruments in general like ados, adir, cars, etc, but it doesn't say anything about what she uses in her practice.

I find her website a bit iffy in terms of vibe to avoid her. The part about her experience+training is overly detailed, while information about autism is much less detailed or coherent and is mainly links to other pages.

Which book? Can I have a link? You made me curious

http://www.amazon.com/Am-Aspiengirl-Cha ... a+marshall

I am not aware of what her credentials are but I will say that I do not see a problem with a licensed therapist/psychologist using skype with a client/patient... there's very little difference between a face on a screen and a face in person for such discussions.

Wouldn't eye contact play a role in IRL diagnosis that wouldn't necessarily be the same via skype?

People don't behave the same during live video conferencing vs. face to face interactions.
It is impossible to assess eye contact over skype.
When your eyes are looking at the person on the computer screen, the person sees downwards looking eyes from the webcam above the screen.

I imagine there is a difference between participating in therapy via skype and receiving a diagnosis via skype.

You guys are officially awesome.

I sent a note yesterday asking if she would evaluate based on the DSM-V. If she will, I will go ahead and spend the money to check this out and report back on the experience. If she doesn't, no dice.

For anyone following this thread: here is my post-evaluation write-up --

http://wrongplanet.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=288422

Hi, can you tell me how much it cost you in total?