Raina had her first psychologist appoitment. The psychologist is leaning heavily towards ODD along with the ADHD. Raina's teacher told me today that she talked with the psy. and I gave her the forms she needs to fill out. My DH and I also need to fill out forms and bring them back at our next appoitment. I don't think much was accomplised during our first visit, but maybe that's how it goes? Just a familiarity type thing? Can the psychologist diagnose my daughter? Or do we need a psychiarist? Her ped. just said psychologist so that's what we went to. This is all so new to me. Thanks.
If you want your dd to have a thorough evaluation of all her cognitive abilities, you would want to see a neuropsychologist. They do hours and hours of testing to find out the child's IQ, memory, processing, etc. They can give you a good idea of what interventions need to be made at school, if need be.The psychologist can diagnose unless the diagnosis gets too complicated. My daughter was originally seen by a psychologist. She sent us to the psychiatrist because she suspected bipolar (and did not feel qualified to diagnose this in a 9 year old) and she felt that my daughter would benefit form meds (which a psychologist cannot prescribe). If the diagnosis is uncomplecated then things might be fine. If the diagnosis gets complecated or med managment is not stratight forward (side effects, no efficacy right away), a psychiatrist or neuropsych will have more experience. Just my 2 cents. vickie39034.6687384259