Have you ever scrolled through social media and stumbled upon countless memes about ADHD or autism? Did a thought pop into you head "This describes my child/young person perfectly!"
Welcome to the world of self-diagnosis. It's a powerful tool for gaining awareness about your child's (or even your own) brain-style.
Self-Diagnosis: The Spark of Self-Discovery
Let's face it, traditional diagnosis is often expensive and time-consuming. Self-diagnosis allows you to research symptoms, explore online communities, and gain a basic understanding of ADHD or autism.
This self-reflection can be a crucial first step. It empowers you to take control of your well-being and identify areas that might need extra support.
For instance, recognising and reflecting on struggles with focus or social interaction can prompt you to research support options and management strategies. Self-reflection on how your child's brain may fit into an ADHD or autistic brain-style can also be very validating and eye-opening.
When to Seek Formal Assessment and Diagnosis:
Self-diagnosis can be enough when seeking to understand your child. There is so much information available on the internet that can support and validate your and your child's experience of the world.
Self-diagnosis can sometimes have limitations. Online information can be a mixed bag, and mental health conditions often co-occur. Mistaking one condition for another is common.
A formal diagnosis can be a game-changer when it comes to accessing support groups and specialised services. It validates your experiences and connects you with a community that understands. This validation can significantly boost self-esteem and mental well-being.
A formal assessment and diagnosis can open doors to funding such as the NDIS for your child or young person to ensure that they get the right support. A formal assessment is comprehensive and considers differential diagnoses as well as co-occurring diagnoses in your child or young person. A formal assessment also provides tailored recommendations based on your child's presentation.
The Takeaway: A Two-Pronged Approach
Self-diagnosis can be a powerful tool for initiating self-discovery. Consider self-exploration as the first step, and a professional diagnosis as a follow-up that can unlock a world of support and empowers you and your child to reach their full potential.
Where to from here?
At Child Assessment Clinic we value the lived experience of a child or young person and their family. To see if a formal assessment is appropriate for you, email us on hello@childassessmentclinic.com.au