Diagnosis... out of options

Post Reply New Topic

I was lined up to have a thorough diagnosis at a college, until I found out they refuse to diagnose autism spectrum disorders while I was scheduling an appointment. They claimed that they could tell a person that they are on the spectrum, but they refuse to put it on paper. I've been frantically trying to find someone that I can afford since that time and have run out of options; I have two potential ways to get a diagnosis left.

I contacted my state's autism society and they said I'm s**t out of luck unless I go to vocational rehab for a diagnosis. I've heard some awful things about vocational rehab and I really want to avoid it. My last option is a mental health nurse practitioner who "specializes" in autism and Asperger's syndrome.

I'm obviously learning towards the MHNP, but I have some questions. The whole reason I am finally seeking an official diagnosis is to get help and resources. I quit my job because of severe issues and I have been unable to find another that I can function in for a year and a half. I could write a novel with how difficult living is for me. Heck, the prospect of scheduling a damn appointment for a diagnoses is enough to screw me up for weeks.

I'm trying to get disability benefits or at the very least temporary Medicaid so that I can live my life again without all these meltdowns, shutdowns and anxiety. How accepted is a MHNP's diagnosis for disability benefits or SSI? I cannot afford a psychologist or neuropsychologist, so this lady is all I have left beyond a couple therapists who claim they can diagnose me, but probably won't.

If this lady doesn't work out, could I just apply for disability and have their doctors see me? That would be the absolute last option I'd have :\

Depending on the where you live, only certain people can diagnose you. Here is the link to Washington State's DSHS Division of Developmental Disabilities to give you a clue.

http://www.dshs.wa.gov/ddd/eligible.shtml

I live in Oregon and am looking at the DSHS website right now, I'm not seeing any mention of specific doctors who need to give the diagnosis... I suppose this is a good sign, right?

Thank you for the insight. One of my big problems is that I am honestly completely stupid when it comes to dealing with stuff like this. Whenever I try to research it I get overwhelmed. Whenever I have to deal with any sort of responsibility it really messes me up. I truly appreciate the help, thank you.

I definitely feel for you in trying to get this worked out. I suppose I was lucky in how easy the process was for me, but I have seen a lot of people have difficulty with it. When I researched the diagnosis process back in 2008, I learned that in the US, there were three that could diagnose us---psychiatrists, psychologists, and master social workers. You might try to look for some of them in your area that have some expertise in the autism spectrum. Best of luck to you.

@Ahe - you might be right about Oregon diagnosticians. I took a look at the application form for services and this is what it says: Medical Specialist (Examples: psychologist, psychiatrist, neurologist, developmental pediatrician, etc.) They're much broader about it in Oregon than Washington, that's for sure.

Fisrt time I applied for ssi i let their doctors see me. That was a terrible mistake. They mostly test for depression and psychosis.

Fisrt time I applied for ssi i let their doctors see me. That was a terrible mistake. They mostly test for depression and psychosis.

So it's just my luck that the autism specialist fell through also. I've been trying to get ahold of her for a week; she doesn't have an email on her website and her office is run by her. She also doesn't list her hours on her website which is really dumb. Well anyway, I talked to her and she isn't taking any patients for 3 months, not even for assessments.

I guess I should have expected something like this to happen, but I'm still a bit numb from it. I hung up the phone and started crying because nobody can help me. Sure, there are doctors out there that can diagnose me no problem, all over my city, but I can't afford them. I'm working on $700, preferably $300. None of the "good ones" will reduce their payments that low.

I just don't really know WTF to do right now.