Dealing with a Diagnosis

When parents are urged to "get a diagnosis" for their child it is often the beginning of an emotional roller coaster. Every family responds in different ways, but there will be a time of adjustment...

LD Online identified the most common stages of adjustment.

1. Shock
2. Denial
3. Anger
4. Depression or helplessness
   
5. Acceptance
6. Hope and action

Mary gives us a little insight into these stages with her adjustment to the diagnosis of her third child. Chantelle tells us more in her blog post "To Cure or not to Cure?..."

The bottom line is that if you are a parent who is going through the process of diagnosis with your child, give yourself time to adjust. Recognise how you are feeling, work through the emotions ... and don't be afraid to ask for help.

If you are a teacher, family member or friend who thinks a parent should be more proactively pursuing diagnosis or therapy, remember that it is not that simple. Listen, affirm and avoid giving too much advice - this can just be overwhelming. We should be on stand-by: giving information and passing on contacts only when parents are ready for it.

We should never be judgemental. Parents need to find their own way to support their child, to choose their own road, at their own pace, based on advice that they feel they can trust.