Why should I seek a diagnosis for my child, and how?

There are many reasons to pursue a diagnosis. A diagnosis can give you language to appropriately express your concerns, hopes, dreams, and vision for your child’s future. Most importantly, it can unlock services and opportunities that may otherwise be inaccessible, such as public benefits programs that provide funding for therapy and in-home support.

Fran Goldfarb from Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles (CHLA) says, "What services are going to help, regardless of what the diagnosis turns out to be?" As Goldfarb explains, a diagnosis doesn’t have to be for forever, and it doesn’t have to be rushed. Things change and evolve, and it’s important that in the process, you have a provider who is open to change and is curious to learn more about your child over time.

If you’re concerned about your child's development, the first step is to tell your child’s doctor and ask for appropriate screenings. Your child’s provider may refer you to a specialist if further assessment is required.

Your child's school is another resource for assessments to see what services would benefit your child and help them access their education. A school provider cannot provide a medical diagnosis, but they can see if your child is eligible to receive services from the school at no cost to you.

As you navigate this path with your child, you may be wondering where to find resources that are age-appropriate that can help them understand that they are not alone. Our research team has gathered some great resources to help our kiddos along their self-empowerment journeys, including books, children’s tv shows, and more. Check them out here!. We also have disability awareness and acceptance resources for parents.