Community› The Bump Message Boards› Special Needs
Special Needs
New Discussion

Is there really a difference btw "provisional" ASD dx & a diagnosis?

CrazeyJaneyRCrazeyJaneyR member
in Special Needs
Or do they say that when a kid is so young they can't be sure if it ASD? It sounds like such a sneaky term to back out of a DX so they aren't wrong.
Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
Report Reply to Post

Re: Is there really a difference btw "provisional" ASD dx & a diagnosis?

  • SobachkaSobachka
    FWIW, I have never heard of provisional ASD, and DS was diagnosed at 14 months. I do hear of 'autistic traits' but not from a diagnostician per se, but from a DAN! doctor. Also, the term 'on the spectrum' still means that the child has autism but the severity may vary. Hope this helps!
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • MirandaHobbesMirandaHobbes member
    I noticed on DS' very first ST evaluation that they had written "at risk for ASD". I assume they gathered this from his IEP which states "educational diagnosis of ASD." We had not yet received our medical diagnosis of PDD-NOS.
    Report Reply
  • birdie_1010birdie_1010 member

    My younger son is diagnosed with Multi-System Developmental Disorder, which is considered a "crosswalk" diagnosis to autism and is apparently being used more often in younger children.  (He was diagnosed at 19 months)

    I think this diagnosis can be taken off, so that is why they used it.  All of our services are coded under autism.  

    Lilypie First Birthday tickers Lilypie Fourth Birthday tickers Lilypie Kids Birthday tickers
    Report Reply
  • rainonmerainonme member
    I am a psychologist, so this terminology is familiar to me.  Basically, a provisional diagnosis is the clinician's initial diagnostic impressions of the child without having done a full assessment.  Usually at the first appointment, a psychologist will provide a provisional diagnosis on the paperwork, mostly for insurance purposes.  Insurance will only cover services when some kind of a diagnosis exists.  Because ASD is a complex disorder to diagnose, and typically cannot be done at one session without a full workup, if a psychologist thinks that an Autism Spectrum Disorder is possible, they may list it under the provisional diagnoses until something more concrete is determined at a later time, if possible.  Does that make sense?  I am not sure what the provisional diagnosis is related to (e.g., if it was on paperwork, if the therapist told you this at the first session, etc.), so this may not answer your question? 
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"