How to prepare for a consultation about your child

Choose one situation

Instead of a general description such as “He never listens to anyone,” try to recall a specific incident. For example, what happened when it was time to stop playing and get ready for bed? What did you say, how did your child respond and how did it end?

These observations are a starting point for a conversation, not a way to judge how “good” you are as a parent. It is okay not to remember every detail or to feel frustrated while describing what happened.

What is useful to recall

When did you first notice the difficulties? Do they arise everywhere or only in certain situations? When does a similar task feel easier? What have you already tried? What changes are happening in your family’s life at the moment?

If it helps, make a note of one or two incidents. There is no need to turn observation into constant monitoring or to record every reaction your child has on video.

Your circumstances matter too

During a consultation, you can talk about your own fatigue, disagreements about parenting and difficulties putting recommendations into practice. The plan needs to take account of what your family can realistically do each day.

A useful question for the meeting is: “What one change could we try before our next conversation, and how will we assess the result?”

Consultation and assessment serve different purposes

A conversation with parents helps clarify the concern and possible next steps. A description of a single incident is not a basis for a diagnosis or a conclusion about how a particular brain system functions. We discuss the need for any further assessment separately.

Read more about online consultations for parents. To request an appointment, your name and contact details are enough — there is no need to submit your child’s history through the form.

This article is for information and does not replace an individual consultation.