Parent perspectives of neurodevelopmental disorder diagnosis

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) refer to a wide range of disabilities that impact children’s development. While each disability is unique, NDDs often share common features, including early onset, overlapping symptoms, and higher prevalence in males. However, many children with NDDs do not access a timely and accurate diagnosis due to considerations such as complexity of symptoms, the presence of multiple conditions, and various external factors.

This study takes a closer look at the lived experiences of parents who navigated the diagnostic process for their children with NDDs. Through in-depth interviews with 15 parents, we identified themes related to the diagnostic process, intervention experiences, parental engagement, emotional responses, barriers, and recommendations. By recognizing the challenges that parents face, this study emphasizes the need for counseling psychologists to address barriers in the diagnostic process in order to support neurodiverse children and their families.