One of the topics we’ve been exploring lately is whether Kay may also have ADHD.
Recently, we had our first appointment with a PMHNP-BC, which stands for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. In simple terms, he is a medical provider who specializes in mental health and behavioral conditions, including things like ADHD, autism, anxiety, and other developmental or emotional concerns. Kay has seen him before, and he is incredibly kind and someone we’ve always felt comfortable talking to.
This first visit focused mainly on reviewing the questionnaire I had completed beforehand. The form asked about possible signs of ADHD, including behaviors, attention, impulsivity, and how often certain traits occur.
During the appointment, he asked me additional questions about Kay’s overall behavior, how she does at school, how she interacts with others, and whether she sleeps well.
And wouldn’t you know it, Kay sat quietly on the couch next to me for almost the entire appointment, looking calm and content as if I had completely made everything up.
To be fair, she had spent most of the day at ABA. They do an amazing job of keeping her busy, learning, playing, and working hard all at the same time. By the end of the day, she is usually pretty exhausted, so I am choosing to believe that her unusually calm behavior was a result of that.
This won’t be a one appointment process. We have several follow up visits planned because ADHD evaluations can take time. The goal is to make sure nothing is overlooked and that if Kay does have ADHD, she receives the right support and care for her individual needs.
Interestingly, this is the same provider who diagnosed Kay with autism. During our conversation, he mentioned that I can be a little aggressive when it comes to doing what I believe is best for Kay. He quickly followed that up by saying it is actually a great thing and that being a strong advocate is important. I had never heard it described that way before, but honestly, he is probably right.
As we move through this process, we will continue gathering information, asking questions, and making sure Kay gets every opportunity to thrive. No matter what the outcome is, we are grateful to have providers who take the time to truly get to know her and help guide us along the way.