Grieving your child's diagnosis

Have you recently been informed that your child has a life long disability? Even if you were anticipating the diagnosis this can still be a challenging fact to process. Each person responds differently in these circumstances. You may experience some or all of the below following confirmation of your child’s disability:

· High levels of anxiety due to uncertainty about your child’s future function. You may find yourself constantly researching your child’s diagnosis and actively searching the internet for answers and treatment options.

· Anger or frustration as you reflect on the circumstances you find yourself in with caring for your child’s additional needs

· Acceptance and adaptation to your circumstances. This often occurs once you have had enough time to process the information provided by your child’s care team. During this phase you may want to share your story with others and start thinking about how the diagnosis will fit into your everyday family life

There is never a “right” or “wrong” way to respond to the diagnosis. Your early intervention team are well equipped to support you in navigating this process. Here at “Tots to Teens Physio” we have supported many families through the early stages of diagnosis. Below are some key aspects to keep in mind as you begin your journey:

1. Seek clarification and further information if you are uncertain about any aspect of your child’s diagnosis.

2. No question is silly and don’t be afraid to ask for further clarification or for information to be repeated.

3. No child is the same. While speaking to other families in similar circumstances can be helpful, all children will learn at different rates. The focus should always be on participation and inclusion of your child across all environments.

References:

I.Novak, C.Morgan, L.McNamara & A.te Velde (2019). Best practice guidelines for communicating to parents the diagnosis of disability. Early Human Development vol 139 104841

Early Childhood-Caring for carers. Managing the Stages of Grief. https://www.carersaustralia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Managing-the-Stages-of-Grief.pdf