Is an SPD diagnosis worth it?

Post Reply New Topic

Do you think an SPD diagnosis is worth paying for? The maximum cost is $350, but the OT said it usually costs less for adults.

The diagnosis is not officially recognized, but I'm afraid I may end up homeless or penniless again with no proof of my disabilities. Right now I have no documentation of the migraines and fatigue I get from sensory problems (except the times I went to the doctor and they couldn't figure out what was wrong with me and didn't diagnose me).

It could be helpful for managing sensory difficulties, but if you will need a recognised diagnosis in the future as proof of a disability then it wouldn't make sense to spend money on a SPD assessment.

I would say no. We have a pro jobs President which means that you can expect getting disability assistance to become even tougher the longer he stays in office. In theory your local politics could override what the feds are doing, but not if your state has budget issues as many have at this time.

I don't understand why that makes a difference. If I really can't work, then I can't work regardless of politics and will have to try to get disability no matter what my chances are.

It may be worth it, after all you currently have almost no proof of disability. The opinion of "experts" like doctors is given more weight than an individual's when decisions are made about who does and doesn't qualify for disability assistance and benefits.

I've never gotten an official diagnosis of SPD, although I know I have it and score very highly on SPD questionnaires. I never thought it was a necessary diagnosis since it's just part of my Asperger's. But I do think it may be worth it if you have SPD without an ASD. The DSM needs to get on the ball with many very real but officially unrecognized disorders. I have NVLD, for instance, but it's coded currently as "learning disorder, NOS."

The money may be better spent toward adaptations. Special glasses may be worth investigating. Some Aspies have found it helpful to buy noise cancelling headphones.

You should look for jobs that don't cause sensory overload.

https://www.ssa.gov/planners/disability/dqualify2.html
Will you have worked enough to qualify for disability?

Glasses might be a good idea. I already have ear defenders, but wearing them all day will also cause fatigue. Listening to something through headphones all day would destroy me too.


The commute causes sensory overload before I can even get to a job. The sound of traffic is enough to cause sensory overload. That's why I work from home and moved to a small town (where there are no jobs). As far as I can tell, there is no such thing as a regular job I can do that doesn't cause sensory overload.


No.

You might see if there are any family businesses that need help. Maybe something related to the pot growing industry, which I hear is booming in California.

Are there any restaurants? They might need help with food preparation or cleaning. This may be done during the quiet hours, between meal times.

It is worth it but only if you have good insurance. My copay only costs a dollar so I shot for the moon. Kind of weird because specialists are supposed to be a $10 copay but I wasn't about to argue with the nurse responsible for collecting payment. LOL

If you're going to go since you have headaches related to your autism you should get a referral to a Behavioral Neurologist, Instead of going to a Psychologist like I did, so they can check out the migraines too. A neurologist who specializes in behavioral issues can also diagnose autism. But when you get your referral call the neurologist they referred you to before leaving the office to make sure they can help you because my referral was to the wrong type of neurologist so I had to wait.

Neurologists will do brain scans and look more into the physical components of it where as a psychologist will just be like "Oh the patient says they're feeling sad and feel these symptoms according to this questionnaire and we observed these behaviorism's. Here is your professional diagnosis go to this person for help."

So you'd benefit more from a neurologist. Your insurance will probably charge you the same for a neurologist vs a psychologist anyways. But it's hard to say since I don't know what specific plan you have. I used to work for an insurance company sooo yeah that's why I know so much.

[If you DO choose a psychologist for whatever reason make SURE it's a Psychologist and NOT a Psychiatrist. There is a VERY big difference and I've had insurance people argue with me on the phone about this and it made me angry. A Psychiatrist CAN NOT diagnose Autism all they will do is prescribe medication for depression ect.]

Last bumped by Broken Sun Beam on 26 Oct 2017, 12:07 pm.