How did you handle the pre-diagnosis time?
Like putting out fires. :-/ One improv after another.
Did you talk about what you think is going on? I have been hesitant to do that in case I am wrong.
Actually, we did develop a fairly firm family strategy about this. I wouldn't use a diagnostic name unless one has been offered AND you are convinced it fits. But we do name/label all difficulties, referring mainly to how we think it feels. Like this:
"I see that this writing job is feeling difficult for you right now. Let's make a plan. Would it be easier to do it for 5 minutes, take a break for 3, and so on till it's done?"
"Right now you're feeling frustrated. Let's take a moment and take a breath."
"This homework doesn't feel like fun to you; but I think you'll be able to get it done very soon, and maybe you'll want to do X afterward."
"I think you're feeling dissatisfied. What don't you like right now?"
"Does that hurt?"
HTH,
DeeDee
