By Lorilynn Wolf, Communications Director, Connecting for Kids
After your child’s diagnosis, it all sounds too familiar; what to do if you suspect a family connection.
So many times when a child gets a diagnosis, the parent begins researching the topic and they begin to see themselves. Whether it is ADHD, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a learning disability, mental health issue, sensory processing disorder or another condition, the more they look into signs, symptoms and outcomes, the more they begin to realize that they, too, may share the same or similar diagnosis as their child.
When the parent was young, maybe there was not a name for what they experienced. Maybe their family never explored medical interventions, therapies or a formal diagnosis. Soon, they start to wonder how they can best help themselves and their child.
Here are four recommended steps:
- Find a Professional
To support a suspected or confirmed diagnosis, seek out the help of a therapist or mental health provider. - Attend an Adult Support Group
This is a great way to connect and interact with others who share a similar journey. There are groups such as Connecting for Kids, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Courage to Caregivers and many other local or national organizations that offer adult support groups, either in-person or virtually. - Do Your Research
To find available resources, the libraries offer a plethora of great materials on health topics, along with online sources such as specific groups dedicated to the diagnosis who can share information. - Attend a Program
You will learn strategies to prioritize self-care, manage stress and establish healthy boundaries.
Visit connectingforkids.org/workshops.
