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b'In this episode, I talk with Dr. Melissa Neff, a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in Missoula, MT in the United States who specializes in conducting psychological evaluations with children (ages 6-18) and adults. A lot of Melissa\\u2019s practice focuses on helping parents figure out what\\u2019s going on with their children and diagnosing things like ADHD and autism, although she shared with me that one of her favorite aspects of her practice lately is working with girls who are on the spectrum.\\nThere are so many things I could have talked about with Melissa, but for today\\u2019s episode, we focused our conversation on the diagnostic process\\u2014what it involves and when and how parents can take the steps they need to pursue a diagnosis\\u2014as well as the pros and cons of getting a diagnoses, and more specifically, of having one or more labels attached to a child, both in their educational journey, as well as their lives as they grow into adults.\\xa0\\n\\xa0Melissa Neff, Ph.D received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in 2008 from the University of Montana following the completion of an APA-approved pre-doctoral internship at Spokane Mental in Spokane, WA. She has extensive training in working with children and adults of all ages. Her areas of specialty are the diagnostic evaluation of psychological disorders and the assessment and treatment of trauma. Dr. Neff also has extensive experience in testing for ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, mood disorders, personality disorders, and anxiety disorders. She utilizes a strengths-based approach in her work in an attempt to foster resilience, preferring a team-centered approach to assessment and intervention.\\n\\xa0Things you\\u2019ll learn from this episode\\n\\nThe typical / \\u201cbest\\u201d ages for kids to be assessed\\n\\nWhat some of the early signs are that a child might be on the autism spectrum\\n\\nHow subjective is the process of assessing / diagnosing a child?\\n\\nWhat makes a \\u201cgood diagnosis?\\u201d\\n\\nWhy the current diagnostic process isn\\u2019t catching everyone, especially girls (for both autism and ADHD)\\n\\nThe value of a diagnosis or label\\u2014pros and cons\\n\\nTips for navigating the process of getting a diagnosis\\n\\nResources mentioned for the assessment process for kids\\n\\nDr. Melissa Neff\\u2019s website\\n\\nA Conversation with Julie George About Girls on the Autism Spectrum\\n\\nADHD is Different for Women\\n\\n\\nDecades of Failing to Recognize ADHD in Girls Has Created a Lost Generation of Women\\xa0\\n\\n\\nNeurotribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity\\xa0\\n\\nSupport the showConnect with Tilt Parenting\\n Visit Tilt Parenting\\n Take the free 7-Day Challenge \\n Read a chapter of Differently Wired \\n Follow Tilt on Twitter & Instagram \\n \\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices'