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Any diagnosis can be terrifying. It will almost always mean a change in your family's expected life journey. It is understandable that many families avoid getting a diagnosis. They do not want the stigma that comes with a label, and they do not want the label following their child for life. Any way you react is normal and okay. Do not feel ashamed for how you feel.
Getting a diagnosis is the beginning of a long, difficult, and scary journey. BUT it is important to think of it as the first step in the right direction. There are five big reasons that getting a diagnosis is actually a GOOD thing.
Number 1: Funding & Accommodations
Getting your child diagnosed opens up doors to therapies, services, insurance coverage, and accommodations at work, school, and in the community. Some therapies require certain diagnoses for insurance to cover services. Children may be able to get services, assistance, preferential seating, more time to take tests, built in breaks, or more structured notes or instruction at school if they have a diagnosis. These services and accommodations can result in more success and less frustration in school. Families should take advantage of any and all extra assistance they can get for their child.
Number 2: Understanding
Learning about your child's diagnosis can also improve your relationship with your child. It can help you learn more effective ways of interacting, supporting their development, communicating, and building connections. For example, learning that your child needs visual support to understand and follow directions could lead to using a visual schedule for their daily routine, rather than repeating instructions verbally over and over. This would result in more independence and higher self-esteem for the child and less stress and frustration for the parent.
Number 3: Awareness
Understanding a diagnosis can empower you and your child to put a name to this part of their identity. Your child is not "lazy" or "dumb." If they understand their strengths, they can use them more to their advantage and focus on activities that play to those strengths. Encouraging your child to understand themselves can also help them be more successful at school and in the community. They can learn to advocate for their needs and explain to others why they are different.
Number 4: Community
Getting a diagnosis can help you connect with a community with similar experiences and who can share lots of information, referrals for helpful providers, information on local events, etc. Having community support can make a huge difference in you and your child's life. Parents who have been where you are will be your strongest support and advocate for your family. You will have a space to feel all the feelings, learn from their experiences, and then have a chance to lend support to other families. Most importantly, you won't feel so alone during your journey.
Number 5: Services
Getting a diagnosis also Informs what specialists you may want to seek out, for example feeding, sensory regulation, social skills, etc. Getting as much help as possible, as early as possible will make a huge difference in your child's progress over their lifetime.
Getting the appropriate assessments and diagnoses will give families, teachers, therapists, and everyone else who works with the child information about their strengths and how they can best be supported. It will help them get the best services and the best support so they can be successful in the home, school, and community environment.
Remember that you are not alone. Reach out to us if you need help navigating the process before, during, or after a diagnosis.
Written by:
Rachel Troccoli, M.A., CCC-SLP.
Speech-Language Pathologist and Founder of Skyrocket Pediatric Therapy Foundation.
Skyrocket Pediatric Therapy Foundation (Skyrocket) does not provide medical or legal advice or services. Skyrocket provides general information about developmental disabilities and developmental therapies as a service to the community. The information provided on our website is not a recommendation, referral or endorsement of any resource, therapeutic method, or service provider and does not replace the advice of medical, legal or educational professionals. Skyrocket has not validated and is not responsible for any information, events, or services provided by third parties. The views and opinions expressed in blogs on our website do not necessarily reflect the views of Skyrocket.
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