Our OT said she couldn't diagnose, only a doctor can.

by Dawn
(Kentucky)

My son had already been attending Occupational Therapy for SPD for 6 weeks, when his OT told me that she couldn't give us a "real" diagnosis. She said only a doctor can do that, not an OT. So now I feel like I am back to square one, since I went to a DR. first, to get a referral to the OT (seeking a diagnosis). His school wont listen to anything I have to say about SPD, because I don't have a "diagnosis from DR."




On this site, the section on step-by-step what to do, it says to go to OT for diagnosis. It seems I followed all 6 steps and am now back where I started on the technical part. Does anyone know...is the OT supposed to be able to diagnose? Or only a psychiatrist? Where do I go next? I need a CNS.NOS diagnosis from a "DR", is what his OT told me. Any comments would be greatly appreciated, thank you.



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Aug 25, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		diagnosis
by: Anonymous

I think an OT may have to work with a doc to do a diangnosis, though I am not sure. We took our son to an OT clinic that specializes in SPD here in colorado and they did give him a diagnosis of SPD, but I dont think it would have held much water in other places. We took our son to a Child development unit through our local childrens hospital and a developmental pediatrician AND an OT did an eval and gave his a diagnosis of SPD among other things.

Unfortunately, SPD is not in the DSM so a diagnosis does not necessarily mean that insurance will pay for anything, or schools will listen.
Aug 20, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		How we got ours...
by: Sophia's Mom

We worked with a child developmental specialist through our daughter's doctor's office. While she could not personally diagnose, she put together the clinical notes from previous visits and prior OT notes and simply made the recommendation to our daughter's doctor. Relationships are key all around. Trust the doctor referred you correctly and that with the information gathered during your 6 weeks by the OT the doctor can make the official diagnosis needed for the records.

Maybe your doctor just needs the clinical notes from the OT with the recomendation.
Aug 20, 2012
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by: Anonymous

talk to the clinical director at the ot center

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