Who Diagnoses and Treats Neurodivergent Conditions?

Neurodiversity 101
Written By Mira K. Cohen

Because it can be super confusing, here’s some information on who can diagnose and treat neurodivergent and mental health conditions.

Here’s a list of who can diagnose and prescribe meds:

  • Primary Care Doctor: They diagnose and prescribe meds for medical conditions, mental health conditions, and ADHD. In most states, primary care doctors are MDs (Medical Doctor) or DOs/ODs (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine). DOs/ODs receive additional training in diet, supplements, exercise, and other medical interventions.

  • Pediatricians: Primary care doctors who specialize in children. They can diagnose and prescribe meds for medical conditions, mental health conditions, and ADHD. A developmental pediatrician can diagnose and treat more neurodivergent conditions.

  • APRNs (Advanced Practice Registered Nurses): They diagnose and prescribe meds for medical conditions, mental health conditions, and ADHD. 

  • Neurologist: They diagnose and prescribe meds for brain-based (neurological) conditions like epilepsy and severe headaches and neurodivergent conditions.

Here’s who can diagnose, prescribe medication, and provide therapeutic interventions:

  • Psychiatrist: A mental health care provider who evaluates for, diagnoses, and treats mental health conditions and neurodivergent conditions. They prescribe medication for both and sometimes also act as therapists.

Here’s who can provide other medical interventions: 

  • Naturopathic Doctor: They provide guidance regarding diet, supplements, exercise, and other non-medical interventions to support physical and mental health, as well as symptoms of neurodivergent conditions.

  • Nutritionist or dietitian: They provide counseling regarding diet and supplements for medical, neurodivergent, and mental health conditions. Dietitians are licensed, while nutritionists are not.

Here’s who can only diagnose certain things:

  • Educational Psychologist: Can diagnose learning disabilities if they receive additional training and provide guidance on ADHD.

  • School Psychologist: If they have a private practice, they can diagnose learning disabilities but not ADHD or autism.

Here’s a list of who can diagnose and provide therapeutic interventions:

  • Neuropsychologist: A specialist who evaluates for and diagnoses neurodivergent, neurological, and mental health conditions. When they have the results, they discuss what they mean for education, work, relationships, and the ability to live independently.

  • Clinical Psychologist: A clinical mental health care provider with a PhD who evaluates for mental health and neurodivergent conditions and treats them with therapy.

  • Therapist: A clinical mental health care provider who treats all kinds of mental health and neurodivergent conditions with psychotherapy, which helps you understand your emotions, thoughts, and behavior and achieve goals. They can diagnose mental health conditions and sometimes ADHD. They are clinical social workers (LCSW or LICSW, depending on the state), Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC), Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC), or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT).  

Here’s a list of who can help diagnose and provide therapeutic interventions:

  • Speech and Language Therapist: A specialist who evaluates, helps diagnose, and treats medical, neurological, and neurodivergent conditions that negatively impact communication. They can even help with social skills.

  • Occupational Therapist: A specialist who evaluates, helps diagnose, and treats medical, neurological, and neurodivergent conditions that negatively impact the physical ability to complete everyday tasks.  

  • Physical Therapist: A specialist who evaluates for and treats medical, neurological, and neurodivergent conditions that negatively impact the ability to move.

Here’s who can only provide therapeutic interventions:

  • Vocational Counselor: Provides assessment for employment, as well as career counseling, for individuals with medical, neurological, neurodivergent, and mental health conditions.

  • School Counselor: Provides therapy in school settings for mental health and learning challenges.

  • ADHD/Executive Functioning Coach: Provides skill-based coaching for individuals with neurodivergent conditions.

Here’s who can only provide assessments: 

  • Educational Specialist: Assesses mental health and learning challenges in school settings.

References

Mira K. Cohen https://www.bybcoaching.net
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