Diagnostic Labels

Navigating fake diagnoses in child psychology

Recently, a colleague contacted me for advice about how to support her client, an elementary-aged kid diagnosed by his school psychologist with "Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome." Since Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome is not a real diagnosis, I was at a loss for how to assist. 

This was hardly an isolated incident. Recently, I find myself speaking more and more to professionals and parents about labels like Pathological Demand Avoidance and Sensory Processing Disorder that cannot be found in any official diagnostic manual. 

It got me thinking about the utility of diagnostic labels. Diagnoses are useful when they (1) enable efficient communication among professionals and (2) provide access to appropriate treatments and services. However, when labels are not standardized, as is the case of those not included in the ICD or DSM, they fail to serve these functions. These unofficial labels lack consistent meaning across different professionals, hindering effective communication and making treatment implications unclear. Moreover, such labels are not recognized by insurance providers or boards of education, so they do not provide access to services. Ultimately, these labels only lead to increased confusion, frustration, and anxiety.

If a kid is struggling but does not meet criteria for a formal diagnosis, it's crucial for professionals to describe the situation clearly—outlining patterns of strengths and weaknesses in terms everyone can understand.

***

I love this one!