How long does the process take to get diagnosed?

Post Reply New Topic

Just wondering a estimate.

I am wondering myself. How many sessions does the psychologist normally require? I went to a psychologist for a diagnosis and I assumed I would receive a yes or a no after our first session, but instead she said that the diagnosis wasn't clear yet. I am going to her not just for the diagnosis but for therapy as well, so we are meeting once a week. I met with her a second time a week later, and I politely asked her if she had any thoughts on the diagnosis, and she said that she is still not ready to make the call. I'm wondering if this is normal, or must I be a very borderline case if she is taking so long to decide? I saw in another thread that some people had 4 or 5 sessions before being diagnosed, so maybe my case is not at all out of the ordinary. I am also wondering if perhaps she is debating whether to diagnose me with AS or PDD-NOS.

sounds about right because i was diagnosed when i wastoddler and i remember only goin bout 4-5 times

Two years for one, and several minutes for another over here.

Two extremes, I guess.

A few minutes for the first two AS diagnosis. But for my "official-official" AS diagnosis via a neuropsychologist it took 6 straight hours of testing then one month for her to "score" the tests and then 15 min meeting after that to announce the diagnosis.

It depends on the individual doctor, but I think that psychiatrists and neurologists (aka M.D.'s) tend to diagnose faster and more methodically than psychologists and other therapists (who have degrees like PhD, PsyD, MS, MSW, etc.). An M.D. will usually have a routine procedure for making a diagnosis, even if it feels like an informal interview. Therapists and counselors tend to be a bit less predictable.

I have the option of going through a free therapathist through my work.
If I went somewhere else it could be very expensive. It may just take longer.

If you live in the states you can get Voc Rehab to send you to a neuropsych for free to get a diagnosis.

PS: If that free therapist through work you are talking about is via the EAP program you can't get a diagnosis that way. EAP is designed for 3-5 free visits to a psych IF you are going through severe family problems or are suicidal. They don't get into diagnosing conditions through EAP. You really need a neuropsych for a AS evaluation.

Do I have to go to my GP as my first step of getting diagnosed?

I means hes known me all his life and I would feel embarrassed approaching him about this. I know that defeats the point of having a GP but still...

My GP is my Dad's cousin. He has been mine all my life. I would be embrassed too.

I am not sure if you have too but I am just going to my place of work assitance program.
I am sure they can help.

I would just go to your GP. They could point you in the right direction to get diagnosed that would work with your insurance. Bedsides I am sure they have heard worst

took me one session and about three hours to be diagnosed. They had a follow up session with parents later on.

Two visits, 1 hour each.

But it was part of vocational rehabilitation. Which took six months.

345 minutes.

Sooo... about 5 to 6 hours total.

I've just had my first session and I thought it would be done there and then from hearing what people said here but she said the first 5-6 1 hour sessions which im really pleased about because I really don't know how they can tell in one session. My psychologist and I have been exploring it for at least a year and a half as well.

While my first dx was from a GP she is not the norm. Most GP's are going to roll their eyes if you mention Aspergers. Technically they cannot give official diagnosis for AS. You flat out have to go to a psychologist or neuropsychologist to have a AS diagnosis that sticks. So there's no reason to go to your GP. Start calling around your local psych offices to see who sees AS patients as many psychs don't have experience with it.