If it seems like autism and ADHD diagnoses have increased, it’s because they have. Today, more than 10% of children (mostly male) are diagnosed with ADHD and 2% of children with autism. One of the reasons we believe this increase is occurring is that with a greater cultural understanding of ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), the general public and the therapeutic community have gotten much better at recognizing symptoms.
You might think an increase in awareness would correlate with an increase in accessibility, but that’s not always true. Unfortunately, many families struggle to have their kids tested or have to wait a long time for a formal diagnosis, which may lead to a lag in helpful treatments. We’ve been in this field for a long time, and in our experience, there are a few common factors that keep parents from getting the diagnosis that will help them advocate for their kids.
There is a Negative Cultural Stigma
Conditions like ADHD and ASD have stigma attached to them. Some parents may avoid seeking a diagnosis so as not to label their child as different. You may even remember from your own childhood how schools removed children with developmental differences from the general classroom population. Fortunately, these days, we have a much better understanding of both ADHD and ASD. Schools and teachers are better resourced to meet the diverse needs of their students. Most importantly, we know that a diagnosis can reduce your child’s challenges and enable them to get the support they need. A diagnosis will impact your child’s future, but it will be for the better.
Their Child’s Symptoms are Misunderstood
Sometimes, the line between what are normal childhood behaviors and symptoms of ADHD or autism seems to blur. If a child has trouble paying attention in school, they could be uninterested or unchallenged. Or there could be an underlying diagnosis that needs to be addressed. A formal diagnosis can bring helpful clarity to questions like these.
Another way ADHD symptoms are misunderstood is the way they can show up differently in boys and girls. Boys with ADHD tend to have externalized symptoms like hyperactivity, while girls seem more often to have internal symptoms like inattentiveness. ADHD and ASD are both spectrum disorders, which means symptoms vary in type and intensity between children. A professional analysis is the best way to get a reliable diagnosis for these common conditions.
They Have Difficulty Getting an Appointment
A common refrain we hear from parents is how the medical field has left them feeling like a number is a sea of other families seeking care for their children. It can be difficult and time-consuming to get a testing appointment, and for many families, the weeks or months of waiting for an appointment only add to the frustration they’re already dealing with. Early diagnosis of developmental disorders is very helpful in getting kids and their families access to life-changing therapies.
We’re tired of seeing frustrated families struggle to get the support they need, so we’ve created a virtual assessment program of our own. Our team has made access to testing easier and faster than ever. Your child can get an accurate diagnosis from the comfort of your home in much less time.
Our assessment process is three separate meetings. The first meeting involves the child and their caregivers. This meeting is introductory and an opportunity for us to get to know you and your child. The second two meetings are the individual, virtual assessment. During the final meeting, we review your diagnostic results, explain our findings, and recommend a care plan. Our plans are tailored to each patient and can include behavioral therapy and prescriptions. We always take time to answer your questions and give you all the information you need to make a decision about what steps to take next.
To get the best treatment for your child, you must have a formal, accurate diagnosis. At AchieveAbility, we believe getting that diagnosis shouldn’t take months. Our team provides timely, convenient virtual assessments and individualized care plans. Your child is perfectly unique, and their behavioral therapies should be, too. Contact us today for more information about our ADHD and autism assessments.
