As part of the assessment process I always conduct an interview to get an overview of the issues of concern.
When a child is struggling, typically there will be suggestions of disorders that have been raised by different professionals along with opinions offered from friends, family members and the internet as to what is going on with their child.
As an example, a mom recently said the following:
“My kid has a lot of stuff. She’s been struggling with reading and her behavior can be challenging. People have a lot to say. I keep getting all of these opinions.”
She continues,
“When I asked about the reading problems, the teacher said something about dysgraphia or dyscalculia and asked whether I had spoken to my doctor about ADD and that I should see a neurologist to talk about these. Seriously, she’s seven!!!”
“Somebody else said something about a central auditory processing disorder, whatever that is.”
“My sister thinks she has an oppositional defiant disorder and also thinks she has ADHD because it ‘clearly runs in the family.'”
“My husband thinks she is spoiled and just needs more discipline.”
At some point I try and cut through all of these hypotheses with a with a simple question: “Without using any psychological or medical jargon, what’s your mom gut?”
Since no one’s asked her this question before, she shows slight surprise that someone wants her opinion stated in this way.
“Well, I think she has a serious reading problem and she hates doing it because it embarrasses her. She will do anything to get out of it even if her behavior gets out of hand.”
“Sounds pretty on point to me,” I respond.
After the evaluation is complete, I tell her, “Guess what? Your mom gut is 100% correct.”
Hearing that, the mom clearly felt validated.
Takeaway Point
I have learned to trust “mom gut” over the years.
About 99% of the time the moms are on the money.
(The dads are another story.)