A few weeks ago, I shared that we had started looking into the possibility that Kay may have ADHD. Since then, we’ve taken the next step in the process.
At our doctor’s request, I completed a Vanderbilt assessment, and so did both Kay’s RBT and BCBA at her ABA center. Having people who see Kay in different environments provide their observations will hopefully give us a clearer picture of what is really going on and help guide our next steps.
Now… we wait. This part feels hard.
If the assessments suggest that trying a low dose of medication may be beneficial, I have a lot of emotions about it. Like any parent, I worry. I worry about side effects. I worry about whether it will help. I worry about whether it will change the little girl we know and love so much.
But the more I think about it, the more I remind myself what our goal really is.
I’m not trying to change Kay.
I’m not trying to make her quieter, less energetic, or less herself.
I love her big personality, her silly moments, her curiosity, and the way she lights up when she’s excited. Those are the things that make Kay… Kay.
What I hope for is something much simpler.
I hope that if ADHD is part of the picture, we can find the right support to help her focus long enough to show us everything she already knows she’s capable of. I hope she can spend less energy fighting distractions and more energy learning, communicating, and enjoying the world around her.
With kindergarten starting in August, I can’t help but think about how much this transition is going to ask of her. New routines, new teachers, new expectations. It is a big change for any child, and even more so for one with Down syndrome, autism, and Type 1 diabetes.
If medication ends up being part of her journey, I want it to be because it gives her another tool to succeed—not because we’re trying to change who she is.
For now, we’re trusting the process, listening to the professionals, asking lots of questions, and taking things one step at a time.
As always, I’ll continue sharing our journey. The wins, the worries, and everything in between. If you’ve been through this with your own child, I’d love to hear what your experience was like. Knowing we’re not alone makes this journey feel just a little less overwhelming.