Why seek Assessment??
I don't need an assessment... I already took an online test that proved that I have ADHD.
I have read all about Autism on social media, and so much of what I read feels familiar... I am sure I have Autism, too.
One of the huge advantages of the internet is its wealth of information, but unfortunately, not all the information we find there is accurate or complete. For example, internet-based conversations, videos, and "tests" may not warn us that it is quite possible to have symptoms of ADHD, but still not have ADHD. Similarly, our internet sources may not warn us that it is very possible to share life experiences with persons who are autistic, yet not have Autism ourselves, or to have difficulty reading, yet not have Dyslexia. And the list goes on and on. Neurodiversity is, in fact, very, very diverse!!
Seeking a better understanding about WHY we have certain difficulties or learning styles is an excellent, growth-enhancing process... but not finding out what is REALLY causing our difficulties can make things worse, not better. Treatments may not help. Needed supports may not be available.
A good evaluation is open to ALL possibilities -- the familiar explanations, of course, but also the less familiar ones. Good evaluations also recognize that there may be more than one underlying cause for any challenges a person is experiencing!!
So, consider the first example above... the person who took an online test and scored high enough to possibly have ADHD. Very likely, this person truly DOES have trouble staying focused and paying attention (among other ADHD-like difficulties). However, the quiz probably didn't ask if the person had ever had concussion... if they have difficulty sleeping... if they take medications that could cause attention problems... it they are battling unsuspected hearing loss or vision problems... if they sometimes feel depressed... if they have any learning disabilities... if they have any medical conditions that might affect their cognitive functioning... and the list goes on and on and on.
It is very understandable, to hope for an easy explanation for our difficulties and a "quick fix" for managing them. But the solution has to fit the problem -- or ALL of the problems. For example, if the underlying cause of a person's challenges with attention is really depression or sleep difficulties, ADHD medication could make things WORSE, and not better.
For every symptom of a well-known diagnosis, there are MANY potential causes: A thorough assessment is the surest way to gain accurate and helpful information!
I don't need an assessment... I already took an online test that proved that I have ADHD.
I have read all about Autism on social media, and so much of what I read feels familiar... I am sure I have Autism, too.
One of the huge advantages of the internet is its wealth of information, but unfortunately, not all the information we find there is accurate or complete. For example, internet-based conversations, videos, and "tests" may not warn us that it is quite possible to have symptoms of ADHD, but still not have ADHD. Similarly, our internet sources may not warn us that it is very possible to share life experiences with persons who are autistic, yet not have Autism ourselves, or to have difficulty reading, yet not have Dyslexia. And the list goes on and on. Neurodiversity is, in fact, very, very diverse!!
Seeking a better understanding about WHY we have certain difficulties or learning styles is an excellent, growth-enhancing process... but not finding out what is REALLY causing our difficulties can make things worse, not better. Treatments may not help. Needed supports may not be available.
A good evaluation is open to ALL possibilities -- the familiar explanations, of course, but also the less familiar ones. Good evaluations also recognize that there may be more than one underlying cause for any challenges a person is experiencing!!
So, consider the first example above... the person who took an online test and scored high enough to possibly have ADHD. Very likely, this person truly DOES have trouble staying focused and paying attention (among other ADHD-like difficulties). However, the quiz probably didn't ask if the person had ever had concussion... if they have difficulty sleeping... if they take medications that could cause attention problems... it they are battling unsuspected hearing loss or vision problems... if they sometimes feel depressed... if they have any learning disabilities... if they have any medical conditions that might affect their cognitive functioning... and the list goes on and on and on.
It is very understandable, to hope for an easy explanation for our difficulties and a "quick fix" for managing them. But the solution has to fit the problem -- or ALL of the problems. For example, if the underlying cause of a person's challenges with attention is really depression or sleep difficulties, ADHD medication could make things WORSE, and not better.
For every symptom of a well-known diagnosis, there are MANY potential causes: A thorough assessment is the surest way to gain accurate and helpful information!