What's in a name?

So does it really matter exactly what is wrong with our daughter? To have a name for what is going on? To have a diagnosis?

I've been thinking a lot about this lately as the health professionals have thrown around several different suggestions ranging from bowel problems to reflux to Autism to Sensory Prosessing Disorder.

And whilst no parent wants there to be anything at all wrong with their child when there is something obviously wrong it somehow becomes important to know exactly what, for many different reasons.

Firstly, it stops the worry of could it be this, could it be that? Finally you know. You know what you're facing and what you're dealing with. There's no more endless nights lying awake wondering what on earth is happening or why exactly your child won't eat or why they're so afraid of so many things. Of course, once you have a diagnosis you are bombarded with a whole host of new thoughts and questions but at least they're focused and you no longer feel like you're wondering aimlessly.

Secondly, you now know where to turn for information and support. You're not trailing the Internet and several different organisations who support all those 'possibilities' - you can focus on what you know is happening and concentrate on learning relevant stuff that is going to be useful on your journey.

It stops all the endless discussions with others asking what is wrong and offering their ideas and suggestions. Most of the time people mean well but sometimes it can become tiring people offering their opinion - yes, I've thought of that, yes, we've tried that, no, that's not going to help...but most of the time I just smile sweetly and say 'that's a good ideas, thanks'. It's just easier that way. Once you know what's happening you can share that with people you choose to. No more 'do they know what's wrong yet?'.

And most importantly it means you can get the right help. The treatment and support that is going to make the biggest difference and help the most. For it doesn't matter what the name of what is wrong is, but it does matter that the name is the right one. Without a correct diagnosis how can you access the right treatment? How do you know how to fix something if you don't know what you're trying to fix?

And all I want, desperately, is to fix things - to make L better and help her to enjoy life and get the most out of it that she can.

So yes, to me it does matter exactly what is wrong with our daughter.