Can a clinical psychologist (Psy. D) dx Asperger's?

[heatherdeg]

We saw a therapist for my son today and therapist happens to have a doctoral degree in clinical psychology.  He met with me and husband first and said that from what we are describing, there is almost no question that ds7 has Asperger's.

Ds has an outdated PDD-NOS dx so this wouldn't be surprising.  My question is this: can this Dr. issue a dx?  Or is he not "dr." enough to do so.  I'm just trying to figure out if we're going to have to see yet another clinician in the process.

TIA

[marge234]

It's my understanding clinical psychologists are authorized to make these diagnoses.  Doesn't have to be an MD.  Though maybe this is something that varies by state.

[RiverTam]

Asperger's, PDD-NOS, and Austism are DXs from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual.

The DSM is a psychology DX manual published by the American Psychological Association. Psychologists do the research which form the basis for those DXs. Psychologists write the criteria for those DXs. A licensed psychologist or licensed MD can make a DX on the basis of the DSM. On average, a psychologist has more training in how to make a a DSM diagnosis than a doctor does. On an initial basis,  I think a psychologist's general impression of a DX in a kid is more trust-worthy than an MD's impression. 

That said, I would take my kid to a specialist. A DX should be made by someone who specializes in developmental disorders -- either a psychologist who specializes in child development or a pediatrician or psychiatrist who specializes in child development.

They are all equally qualified.

[karne]

Are you questioning a Psy.D. versus a Ph.D.?  There's a difference.

[heatherdeg]

Originally Posted by RiverTam 

Asperger's, PDD-NOS, and Austism are DXs from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual.

The DSM is a psychology DX manual published by the American Psychological Association. Psychologists do the research which form the basis for those DXs. Psychologists write the criteria for those DXs. A licensed psychologist or licensed MD can make a DX on the basis of the DSM. On average, a psychologist has more training in how to make a a DSM diagnosis than a doctor does. On an initial basis,  I think a psychologist's general impression of a DX in a kid is more trust-worthy than an MD's impression. 

That said, I would take my kid to a specialist. A DX should be made by someone who specializes in developmental disorders -- either a psychologist who specializes in child development or a pediatrician or psychiatrist who specializes in child development.

They are all equally qualified.

I knew what the DSM-IV was, just not who is qualified to issue the dx's.  We've been on this journey for 6 years, so I'm not completely unfamiliar with all of this, it's just a different avenue than we've ever been on to be in the hands of a Psy.D vs. an M.D.  And the person we're seeing is a clinical psychologist who specializes in child development and behavior disorders; but traditionally our son has been the "testing/evaluation administered by a ST or other specialist reviewed & interpreted by a neuro specialist in child developmental disorders" track (from 11mo through about 5yo--we've done nothing since then).  This is the first time we're in this situation and we were less looking for any kind of dx and more looking to deal with some serious behavior/moodiness issues we were having with him (in the house and out).  But when he said that, it didn't exactly shock dh or I.

I have seen this person's background/credentialing and I don't feel that he's NOT qualified to assess this, I'm just not sure that an insurance company would take it as a diagnosis that would cover additional therapies if needed... kwim?  I mean, he's a Dr. and has clinical training, but I think that because our dx's have always come from a neuro/MD, I never considered the possibility otherwise.

Thanks all... 

[heatherdeg]

Originally Posted by karne 

Are you questioning a Psy.D. versus a Ph.D.?  There's a difference.

Hmmmm... I'm not sure.  You can get a Ph.D. in just about anything and it doesn't make you a Dr. in the medical sense that can issue dx's.  THAT I know.  I guess I'm more questioning a Psy.D. vs. an M.D.