In many early childhood settings, educators play a key role in the diagnostic journey for children and their families. A diagnosis can serve as an important gateway to developing a holistic understanding of a child’s neurotype and/or disability. As educators, we are encouraged to adopt a strengths-based and celebratory approach to all aspects of learning and development, including areas of need. However, this perspective can sometimes feel at odds with health services, which often focus on symptoms, "red flags," and concerns.
Parents and carers may also feel conflicted by the deficit-based framework of diagnosis, which rarely captures the full story of a child’s lived experiences. While a diagnosis can bring relief and help parents and carers make sense of their child’s needs, it can also be a disempowering and emotionally challenging experience due to its focus on disorders, deficits, and impairments.
As educators, it is essential to engage in professional dialogue and show solidarity throughout this process. Once a diagnostic report is issued, acknowledging it may be a difficult read for parents and carers, we can also offer reminders of the child’s value and strengths.
View and Download the Letter Below:
This tool provides a template for a letter pre-and-post diagnosis. A letter can be helpful because a parent x carer can read this in their own time while they are "in processing" of their child's unique strengths, differences and needs.