
Episode #76
Is It ADHD, Autism, Anxiety, or Trauma? 2 Questions to Ask Before a Diagnosis
Is It ADHD, Autism, Anxiety, or Trauma? 2 Questions to Ask Before a Diagnosis Your teenager is struggling, and someone says it might be ADHD, autism, anxiety, or trauma. From the outside, they can look almost the same. In Episode 76, I share what I saw in five and a half years on a psychiatric unit: three realities about how mental health assessments actually work, the one piece of evidence that is almost never requested, and the two questions every parent needs to ask before a diagnosis is made. This isn't about avoiding a diagnosis. It's about making sure it reflects your child's whole story. What You'll Learn in This Episode: 0:00 – Is It ADHD, Autism, Anxiety, or Trauma? 1:23 – When a Teenager's Symptoms Appear Suddenly 1:54 – Why ADHD, Autism, Anxiety, and Trauma Look Alike 3:41 – Why No Blood Test or Brain Scan Can Confirm It 4:32 – Long Wait Times and Rushed Assessments 5:20 – The Early School Records Almost No One Requests 6:17 – 3 Things to Do Before Your Child's Assessment 7:18 – 2 Questions to Ask Before a Diagnosis Find my podcast playlists on YouTube Dr Suzanne Simpson, at Get On Their Turf Guest Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLi7xFsX7h7tflz6UKyqfa4AVPf5l9zwve Just Me: https://www.youtube.com/playlistlist=PLi7xFsX7h7tf_CsX5hZUEBTPkz967Sy2n New releases every second Monday 8:00 am PST. Get the free guide "8 Ways to Get on Your Kids' Turf" at https://www.drsuzannesimpson.com/#reconnect Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsuzannesimpson/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsuzannesimpson/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drsuzannesimpson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566148964209 Please note that the contents of this website are not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. My scope of practice is as an educator, and this work is intended to provide information for educational purposes only. Testimonials of lived experiences are opinion only and have not been scientifically evaluated.

