How to Explain a Diagnosis to a Child is a resource to guide parents and professionals through what can be a very sensitive process. This step-by-step guide includes templates and worksheets that can be tailored to meet the individual needs of the child and their families embrace who they are, regardless of a diagnosis. This may include Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Learning Disabilities (LDs), Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), Dyslexia, Cerebral Palsy, etc. This guide may help answer those difficult questions regarding:
- Why parents decide to tell?
- Why parents may not tell?
- When to tell?
- Who should tell?
- What information to share?
- How do I explain?
Sessions include various topics such as celebrating differences, reviewing strengths and challenges, identifying learning style, understanding relationships, addressing questions about a diagnosis and others. This guide may help to build a child's confidence and empower them to advocate for themselves.
Janet Arnold is a mother and advocate for her two boys. She has experienced what it is like to have a child with a disability, and has spent countless hours explaining the diagnosis to her own son. Not only is Janet a mother, she is also a professional with over 20 years of experience working with children and youth with varying challenges, their families, and other professionals in clinical and educational settings in Ontario, Newfoundland, and Alberta. She is responsible for consulting, training, researching and developing resources on evidence-based and best practices in supporting positive development. Janet is a Behaviour Consultant, HIGH 5® Trainer and an accredited Triple P Practitioner (Standard Stepping Stones). She is also actively involved in a variety of community working groups and is the Chair of the York Region Bullying Prevention Partnership, and holds professional memberships with the Learning Disabilities Association of York Region, the College of Early Childhood Educators (CECE), The Council for Exceptional Children as well as the Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario (AECEO).
Francine McLeod is a Registered Social Worker, Behaviour Consultant, Certified Professional Coach, School Counsellor and mother of two girls. She has worked with children and youth with developmental challenges and social-emotional concerns, their families and the systems that support them since 1995. Francine has taken her experience and knowledge of evidence based and best practices of child development to provide on going training, consultation, coaching, counselling and resource development to families, therapists, educators and other professionals. Having worked in clinical and educational settings across Canada, she has a strong understanding of the importance of collaboration among families and professionals to ensure children and youth are more fully included into the fabric of the community.
