Hi Mel,Just wanted to add to your good information, in case people are curious about how all this happens (re the "list").
The best way to find out about a quality SD specialist (as you know, having been involved in support groups) is to participate in a group and compare notes with fellow patients. Patients are never hesitant to share their experiences, case-wise and specialist-wise, in the confidential setting of a group.
However, not everyone can get to a group. If using the Healthcare Referral List on the NSDA website, specialists have to fill out a form (and sign off on it also) so getting a doctor/SLP/therapist on the list takes some time (eg: we have some new excellent SD docs here who aren't on the list yet, as they just relocated).
Thanks for reminding all of us that if we find an SD specialist who is not on this list (who works well for us) and we want fellow patients to know, we need to ask the specialist if they want to be on the list and then contact the NSDA and have them send the specialist the form.
Also, as you indicate, their presence on the list does not mean they are endorsed. It means they have gone through a consistent process to be listed. But, it's a good place to start, if patients don't have fellow SD'ers for consultation. Another good reason to ID ourselves by geography on the BB, as the online forums are often the places we get referrals.
Thanks,
Lynne Martinez (AD-SD; Northern California)
NSDA Pacific Regional Coordinator
