ADHD and Dyslexia... a new part of our journey!

So yesterday we had an official diagnosis letter confirming our daughter (Amy, 11, full of beans, fun, all singing all dancing bundle of joyous and flappy excitement) has severe ADHD and dyslexia. (we are still waiting for a possible diagnosis of ASD). We started her on medication yesterday.

So, why am I blogging about this?

I am a musician and ever increasingly in the public eye, I am also human and most importantly a mum. I want to share, with the people who care to listen, my journey in the hope that I may inspire, comfort, empathise and give a little hope to those who have similar walks in life to mine.

If you read my story, you will (hopefully) see that my journey, although complicated at times and somewhat distressing has been full of reconciliation, hope, healing and restoration. This new chapter is a challenge, one that I have accepted and intend to do my best with.

So... what does it mean to be the mum to a child with ADHD, dyslexia and possible ASD?

Well firstly, it is good! Not that I would necessarily choose this for my child but it is SO good to finally have a diagnosis and a starting point. Good to know that I can finally start to understand and empathise with my child. Most importantly it's good to know that her school and teachers should be better able to understand her. We have had to get to know her all over again, with new eyes and ears, new understanding, and it's a beautiful thing. We are growing together.

I will be blogging a lot more about the progress we make and the steps we take to help her (and us as parents) through this but for now, I will leave you with this:

It can take a lot to get a diagnosis, especially for a girl but help is out there if you are persistent and strong in your convictions, you know your children best and if in your heart you know you need help go and get it. Do not be ashamed! Do not be put off by generalisations or fear of judgement, of labelling your child or giving them some kind of complex... if you are struggling then your child is struggling, you will be tired and wired and your child will be too. It will help your child as much as it does you. When we told Amy she was going to go on medication to help her calm down, concentrate and be able to focus she simply said...

“Thanks mum, I'm ready for a break.”