What should we focus on in the first months after a diagnosis?

The short answer

Start with the report and your child's current priorities, not a complete redesign of family life. Check the diagnosis, strengths, needs, other findings, uncertainty, recommendations and factual details. Ask who owns each clinical, school or family action and what can begin now. Explain the diagnosis to your child in language that connects with their experience and leaves room for questions over time. Share the report purposefully rather than with everyone by default. At school, translate recommendations into specific provision and review. For ADHD, treatment discussion is a separate clinical decision and medication is not automatic. Keep helpful existing support, avoid buying a diagnosis-shaped programme, and review how the child feels about the language and changes.

• Read the report for reasoning, profile, recommendations and factual accuracy.
• Let the child learn about the diagnosis in manageable, relevant conversations.
• Assign every next action to the professional or organisation that can decide it.
• Translate school recommendations into precise support and review.
• Treat treatment, disclosure and identity language as separate choices.