Should I Request A Second Opinion, How Do I Do That, And What If There Are Different Diagnostic Conclusions?

Oct. 23, 2008 -- Question: Should I request a second opinion, how do I do that, and what should I do if there are different diagnostic conclusions between two diagnostic teams?

Answer: All parents should be informed consumers. If a diagnosis is made they should read up on that diagnosis independently and determine for themselves 'does my child fit the criteria?' If you have any doubts in your mind that the child does not fulfill the criteria as defined by the first evaluator, then seek a second consultation. That would also go along when there's different opinions between groups. But even if there are different opinions between groups it should not preclude the initiation of appropriate intervention, since intervention maybe based more on what the child's educational and behavioral needs are than the exact label.