[Reprinted from the book Supportive Parenting by Jan Starr Campito; copyright © 2007 Jan Starr Campito. Published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Reprinted with permission. This article may not be reproduced for any other use without permission.]
Do I know enough? Characteristics of an effective understanding of your child's diagnosis
Can you describe the defining characteristics of the diagnosis, in terms that are accurate and that other people can easily understand?
Do you understand how your child's disability is similar to and different from other related or easily confused conditions?
Can you apply the diagnosis to your own child, seeing which characteristics are currently present and to what extent?
Can you put your child's diagnosis in perspective, describing both your child's strengths and challenges?
Can you describe concrete examples of how those characteristics affect your child's daily functioning?
Can you advise family, friends, teachers, recreational coaches, camp counselors, etc, how they can support your child in his or her daily activities?
Are you aware of the general perception of the diagnosis that is prevalent in the mainstream population?
Can you discuss currently perceived causes of your child's condition?
Do you understand how different types of specialists approach your child's diagnosis -- whether they even believe it exists, and their biases in treatment?
Are you aware of the range of therapeutic options -- both mainstream, and "alternative therapies" -- that are possibly applicable to your child?
Are you aware of the educational concerns facing your child, and the best current practices for addressing those concerns?
Have you developed an understanding of the diagnosis appropriate for sharing with your child?
