How to diagnose neurodivergence

What is Neurodivergence? 

Neurodivergence can be categorised as a non-typical neurological function. This can be in the form of Autism, Aspergers or many other diagnoses. Thankfully, our understanding of these diagnoses is stronger and stronger. Diagnosis is the main step to understanding what your child may be going through, to then be able to support them. 

The Diagnostic Process

The first part of the process is recognising the signs. Children may struggle to concentrate, read or write or experience difficulties with social interaction, leading to anxiety.

If your child is experiencing any of these, find a healthcare professional to speak to. At Walron, we can help and guide you through the process. Usually the first step would involve speaking to your GP who can refer you for assessment. Alternatively, this can also be arranged privately, or through us at Walron. 

The assessment stage will usually compromise interviews, questionnaires and standardised testing. The aim of the specialist is to understand the child's history, observe their communication patterns and explore their attention and interaction within different settings.

For the parent of a neurodiverse child, the diagnosis both provides clarity and unlocks the additional support available for your child. This may be at school or through other specialists, such as our neurodiverse specialist tutors at Walron. The formal reports created through diagnosis can allow your child to access appropriate adjustments at school such as extra time in exams. Without diagnosis, this may be difficult to secure. 

Most importantly, diagnosis allows you to understand your child's needs more, rather than just label them. What you choose after the diagnosis is up to the individual, however the first step to helping your child thrive educationally, emotionally and socially is to diagnose.