[humanser] Diagnosis

[Cheryl Wade]

Greetings,


I wonder how other therapists who are blind perform diagnoses.


When I was studying rehabilitation counseling, we took a DSM class, but 
our professor said, "you're rehab; you won't have to do diagnosis." Wrong!


At first I tried to do it with the large DSM version on my Victor Reader 
Stream. I was overwhelmed with trying to find things in this way.


Then I encountered a few websites that listed all the disorders, 
alphabetically, and their codes. In addition, I received a printed 
"cheat sheet" at work. I could scan it and use it that way.


When I need quick reference material for symptoms, severity, etc, I go 
to reputable online sites and read the material that i can Google. If I 
want to spend a night and a half, I use the VR Stream version.


I tried in vain to find Braille diagnosis resources, because I'm much 
more Braille-centric than audio-centric. I was, of course, unsuccessful.


With all these resources, I'm not terrified of making diagnoses as I was 
when I had my first counseling job.


I'd like to hear how some of you do this.


Cheryl Wade, LLPC, CRC

Outpatient substance use therapist