October 2022:
The official diagnosis… oh boy, mixed emotions doesn’t even begin to cover it. On one hand, we needed the diagnosis to get our son accommodations and the treatment he deserved. On the other hand, it meant officially coming to terms with the fact that, yes, our child is neurodivergent. That’s a truth we weren’t entirely prepared for and didn’t quite understand, but knew we had to face head-on.
I distinctly remember the time shortly after R started kindergarten when I had what I’ll call a spirited discussion with the school. They weren’t sure if R needed an IEP, but I was over here waving all the red flags. At that point, he’d only been diagnosed with a sensory integration disorder and hyperkinesis (yes, the fancy word for a kid with all the energy of a nuclear reactor). So we kicked off with occupational therapy and braced ourselves for the ADHD diagnosis.
But let’s be real: I knew it was coming. So, I dove into research like a caffeinated grad student, soaking up every strategy, accommodation, and treatment option out there. Luckily, we got the official diagnosis within two months of school starting—record time in the world of healthcare, right? When the medication conversation came up, we decided to try the sensory regulation and behavior modification route first, because why not give it a go before introducing meds? Plus, we were hoping to buy a few more years before we needed them—kind of like holding off on opening a bottle of wine until the perfect occasion.
We were super lucky to have a healthcare provider who not only knew her stuff when it came to ADHD but also had the patience of a saint. She gave us all the tools, tips, and resources we needed, and best of all, she didn’t pressure us about our decision. She was like the Yoda of pediatric care, guiding us with wisdom and zero judgment.
We thought getting the diagnosis would magically open the doors we needed… yeah, not so much. It was just the beginning. I had to turn on my Mama Bear charm and keep advocating, because this journey was far from over.