Could the Diagnosis Be Wrong?
Getting an ADHD diagnosis can bring relief — or bring questions. What if the psychologist got it wrong? What if it’s something else? What if it is ADHD, but not the whole story?
These questions are valid. Most parents ask them. Here’s what matters: asking them doesn’t make you a bad parent. It makes you a thoughtful one.
Doubt is Normal
You might be wondering: Is this really ADHD? Is it something else? Do I trust the process that led to this diagnosis?
Here’s what can help:
- Diagnosis is a starting point, not a fixed label.
- Your child hasn’t changed. What’s changed is your awareness.
- ADHD shows up differently in different kids — especially when gender, masking, trauma, or culture intersect.
- It’s okay to sit with discomfort and uncertainty while you learn more.
Some parents feel sure of the diagnosis early. Others take months — or longer — to settle into that certainty. That’s not a reflection of your love. It’s a reflection of how complex this space is.
Think About the Process
If you were part of a structured assessment, the clinician likely:
- Gathered detailed developmental history
- Reviewed feedback from caregivers and teachers
- Used validated screening tools
- Considered differential diagnoses (what else it could be)
Still, diagnosis is not a perfect science. Two children with similar profiles may receive different labels, depending on how their distress presents, how their support needs are interpreted, and what the clinician emphasises.
If something feels off, or if your child’s support needs aren’t being met, you can:
- Seek a second opinion
- Ask for a re-assessment in future
- Focus on your child’s specific needs, regardless of the label
🧠 ADHD Can Co-Exist With…
Sometimes parents feel confused by the diagnosis because they’ve noticed things that don’t quite fit the ADHD picture. That’s not unusual.
ADHD often co-exists with:
- Anxiety
- Autism
- OCD
- Sensory Processing Differences
- Learning Disabilities (e.g. dyslexia, dysgraphia)
- Trauma Responses
- Language Delays
- Mood Disorders
Co-existing conditions can blur the lines — especially when one is more visible than the other. That’s why ongoing observation matters more than chasing diagnostic certainty. The list above is not exhaustive.
Focus on What Helps
Whether you feel 90% confident in the diagnosis or still 50/50, the practical approach stays the same:
- Observe what supports help your child feel calm, confident, and understood
- Create structure and scaffolding where needed
- Focus on your child’s patterns, strengths, and needs
Your child’s identity is not a list of acronyms. And your parenting doesn’t hinge on getting a perfect label. It hinges on staying curious, informed, and connected.
And If It Is ADHD…
You’ll keep learning. You’ll find your rhythm. And you’ll come back to this question less and less often — because you’ll know your child better than any checklist ever could.
Coming soon:
🛠️ “ADHD, Explained” — a plain-English guide for families will be available on the Tools page soon as a paid downloadable resource.
It’s designed to help parents, kids, and extended whānau understand what ADHD is (and isn’t), with versions for different age groups and stages.
