Diagnoses
What are diagnoses?
Diagnoses are names used to label a specific set of symptoms that are being experienced by a child.
What does a diagnoses really mean for a child?
The diagnosis or labelling of the cluster of symptoms then helps to narrow down and specifically tailor:
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What other issues commonly occur simultaneously.
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What medication might be appropriate.
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What therapies might help the child (e.g. Medical, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Psychology).
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What the course of intervention (medical and/or allied health) might be and what outcome might be expected (prognosis).
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What can be done to help the child.
Why are diagnoses helpful?
A diagnosis helps the child and their carers (parents, teachers, health professionals, carers) to:
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Access information about the relevant cluster of symptoms.
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Communicate the salient features of the child’s challenges to all people involved in the child’s care.
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Possibly interpret certain behaviors differently in light of the diagnosis.
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Obtain information about what can be done to help the child.
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Determine specifically where and how to help the child.
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Access funding or services that might not otherwise be accessible.
Some of the Diagnoses We Assist With:
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ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER / ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADD/ADHD)
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PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDER – NOT OTHERWISE SPECIFIED (PDD- NOS)