Aniesa is joined by Elmien a therapist with a daughter who has ADHD. She talks to Aniesa about her and her daughter's journey to getting diagnosed including her own realisation that there might be something else happening when her daughter was missing milestones and acting out. Elmien also talks about the uniqueness of having a child with additional needs and how you can find the special moments in your journey with your child, regardless of the difficulties and struggles they may face.

KEY TAKEAWAYS 

• Elmien’s daughter needed therapy for delays in crawling and walking but at this point, Elmien didn’t consider she may have additional needs.
• Eventually, Elmien’s daughter got the diagnosis for ADHD and looking back, Elmien could then see the signs from many of the difficulties she and her daughter had experienced, especially in school and more formal settings.
• Dealing with a child that she now knew was different, was quite a challenge. Elmien had to learn to take care of herself as when she didn’t she wasn’t able to do her best for her daughter.
• The school system failed Elmien’s daughter in many ways, they weren’t supportive in any of the ways Elmien and her daughter needed.
• Elmien suffered a lot of judgement from friends and family about her daughters' diagnosis which made things very difficult in the beginning. She now does not care or pay attention to those who comment on her parenting and childs behaviour.
• If Elaine's daughter comes to talk to her, she always puts her first and listens because if she doesn’t then she knows her daughter will forget and she has to put her daughter's needs ahead of everything else including politeness. 
• Although those with additional needs have difficulties, they do learn and progress at their own pace, they are always making leaps in their understanding and mechanisms for dealing with life.
• All Elmien wants for her daughter's future is for her to be happy. If she is comfortable in her own skin and those she is with and the direction she is going in, she will be happy.
• It is hard to have a child you did not expect but embrace it where you can and try and inject fun when you can. Remember to take the pressure off yourself and always do what is good for your family and child.
• Having a child with additional needs will make you appreciate so many things that others don’t even notice, that is special in its own way.

BEST MOMENTS

“She was the most difficult little girl, the year when she was 4 was really hard on me and her”

“Friends and family were a problem for me because they were judgemental”

“Sorry about that, but she’s different”

“I want my child to be happy”

“Things are never going to be what you planned them to be but it’s going to be a great journey”

CONTACT METHOD

www.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           
www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    
www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon

ABOUT THE HOST

Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation.

Aniesa has one teenage son with autism and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.

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