Parent Considerations

• 'To get help at school'

  Some parents seek a diagnosis because they believe it will help them receive support from their child's school. 

  By law, your child's school must support any developmental differences regardless of whether your child is diagnosed with a condition or not. 

  An assessment from a professional can help to identify needs and support good changes and transitions as your child moves through school.

  In school, a formal diagnosis can:

  • Assist a school in refining and specifying the support put in place
  • Help a school to understand a need and respond to it

  Find out more about Reasonable Adjustments and SEND

• 'To understand what's going on'

  Some parents seek an assessment to help rule out neurodivergent conditions and help identify what might be causing differences for their child.

  While neurodivergence can present itself in various ways through childhood, it can be useful for healthcare professionals to rule out conditions to pinpoint how to further support your child. 

• 'Because they were having a hard time & needed help'

  Under the Equality Act 2010, educational settings like schools are required to make 'reasonable adjustments'. These are aimed to allow all pupils to join in with all activities and services provided. It's also to help pupils have as much chance as their peers at being happy and successful in their education. 
  
  Support is available without an assessment or diagnosis, although it can be helpful for healthcare professionals to identify needs to help plan effective support. 

• 'So they are protected by law'

  If your child receives a diagnosis, they will be protected against discrimination under the Equality Act 2010. This law offers protection from discrimination based on their disabilities in the workplace and their healthcare. 

  In school, being diagnosed will mean your child gets permanently added to the SEN Register, which ensures they receive the appropriate support under the SEND Code of Practice. 

  The law says that your child would be entitled to reasonable adjustments in education and the workplace which remove any disadvantage related to their ability. This could include:

  • Finding different ways to complete tasks
  • Making changes to settings like arranging specialist equipment
  • Changing working arrangements

  Find out more about the Equality Act 2010 here

  Find out more about the SEND Code of Practice

• 'To know I wasn't going mad as a parent'

  For some parents, the process of assessment can help to reassure them that their concerns are valid and to help them feel heard. 

  However, no diagnosis is necessary to speak to a health professional for advice and support. 

  Find out more about Just One Number & Parentline 

• 'To help my child understand themselves better'

  Some parents seek a diagnosis to help their child understand themself better and to make sense of their past experiences.

  However, a formal diagnosis isn't required to access the wealth of support offered to young people and their families through charities and healthcare services, locally and nationwide.