Do I even tell my child of their diagnosis?
Talking to your child about their unique challenges can come with so many questions.
When you don’t know how to help your child- it can feel hard to act like the confident leader that you want to be for your child.
More than anything you want to reassure them everything is going to be okay.
But you may not be confident yourself that everything will be okay.
(I’m here to tell you it will)
If your child has multiple diagnoses that can be even more overwhelming since it can feel like life is out to get you and your child.
This is why it’s important to first understand that multiple diagnoses are the norm, not the exception.
Diagnoses in general are not based on identifying the ROOT CAUSE.
Rather diagnoses are a cluster of symptoms that are categorized.
If your child is impulsive, can’t sit still, has poor focus, is high energy and can’t follow instructions they’ll likely be diagnosed with ADHD.
If they’re defiant or aggressive, they might also be diagnosed with ODD.
If they have reading issues, they’ll likely be diagnosed with some type of reading disorder.
I can’t tell you what is the right thing to tell your child.
I can tell you that when a lot of kids hear an acronym with the word ‘disorder’ or disability’ in it they often take it to heart.
So consider skipping the words that suggest something is broken since it can set some kids up for a self-fulfilling prophecy that they are ‘defective’.
I find it more productive to:
- Tell kids how they are uniquely wired in terms of why they have the gifts they do so they understand they are unique, not broken.
- Explain that because of their zones of genius, certain areas of their brain are weaker and need more exercise to balance things out.
… and who doesn’t have areas they need to work on?
Doesn’t that feel so much better?
Let me know in the comments below how you talked to your child.
… and PSST!
Grab my Advanced Brain Screening and get a 1:1 consult with me where I will go over the results so you understand exactly what to focus on and I will help you develop a Better Brain Plan.
