Ep. 16 | Embracing Your Child's Autism/ADHD Diagnosis: A Journey to Acceptance

When your child receives a diagnosis of Autism or ADHD, it can feel like you're venturing into unknown territory without a map. In our latest episode, I delve into this very journey with you. I'm Dr. Hokehe Eko, a pediatrician dedicated to nurturing the development of children with these diagnoses.

My philosophy goes beyond symptom management; it's about embracing the unique journey each child and their family must embark upon. Throughout our conversation, I offer a wealth of knowledge, from the emotional stages parents may experience to the practical steps for creating a supportive environment that allows children to shine.

At Glow Pediatrics, I bring an infusion of hope and hands-on advice. I don't just validate the complexities parents face; I offer a pathway through them. I emphasize the significance of early intervention, the vital roles of sleep and nutrition, and the power of community support.

Together, we'll not only cope but also transform the understanding of your child's potential and celebrate their individuality. By the close of our session, you'll be equipped with an uplifting new perspective and actionable strategies to help your child—and your family—thrive.

Connect with me!
If you want to schedule an ADHD/Autism appointment for your child, you may contact Glow Pediatrics:

• Phone: [phone]
• Fax: [phone]
• [e-mail]

🌐 Website: www.glowpediatrics.com
📱 Instagram: @drhokeheeko / @glowpediatrics
📧 [e-mail]
👍 Facebook: Dr.HokeheEko / glowpediatrics
💼 LinkedIn: hokeheeffiongmd

And join our Glow Health Circle! Weekly coaching calls for a close-knit community of like-minded parents, to get practical strategies for your child's whole-child well-being — from brain and gut health to navigating the environment. Let's thrive together!

Episode Transcript

Dr. Hokehe Eko (00:00):
Hello everyone.
It's Dr.
Hokehe Eko, Happy BrainPediatrician here.
So today I just wanted to talkabout how do we as parents reach
the place of acceptance of ourchildren, especially if your
child has been diagnosed withADHD or autism.
I just saw mom and I just gaveher the diagnosis of her child

(00:22):
when she was here to receivethat, and it was very
heartwarming.
It was very encouraging to hearher say that, regardless of the
diagnosis, she just wanted tobe able to give her child and
love her child to the best ofher ability, regardless of the
diagnosis, and that that didn'tchange who he was.
And so I recognize that can be adifficult thing for parents, a

(00:47):
difficult place for parents toget to, especially when you
first get the diagnosis likethat.
That often comes with a lot ofconnotation and a lot of
feelings of overwhelm, feelingsof how am I going to get through
this and what's going to happento my child and what's going to
happen to my child and what'sgoing to happen to our family.
And those are all validthoughts and valid feelings and

(01:12):
I'm not here to discount that atall, but rather to offer this
up to you parents who may bestruggling with if you've
recently gotten a diagnosis ofyour child having ADHD, autism,
and it's like going through thegrief process right, the denial,

(01:47):
the anger or bargaining, theacceptance all the stages of
grief because this is your child, your precious child we're
talking about.
My hope and my prayer is thatfor you parents is that you get
to the place where you can seethe challenges your child may
have and still love them throughthat and still be proud of them

(02:10):
through that and know that ifyou surround yourself with all
the support possible and that'swhy I talk a lot about early
intervention getting if yourchild, if you feel like your
child, needs help, it's gettingthat help early, the earlier the
better, right, so that whateverchanges needs to be implemented

(02:30):
with your child can be doneearly.
So that's so important and Iknow it can be scary to hear a
diagnosis, but I offer up thesethoughts to you that it's not so
much about the diagnosis but ifwe focus on that, getting the
diagnosis leads to receiving thehelp that your child needs at
home, at school, wherever theymay be, your child is not the

(02:52):
diagnosis, right.
Before I give the diagnosis toparents, I often talk about how
it's so important for them tohear me that when I'm giving
them the levels, I'm saying ifit's level one, two or three,
that doesn't mean anything aboutthe person of your child.
It doesn't mean your child willnot improve.

(03:15):
It doesn't mean that yourchild's speech will not improve.
It doesn't mean that all hopeis lost.
It's simply a number.
That means we're telling theschool give this child as much
support as they need, and Ialways implore parents to
remember that.
Remember that on the days whenit's so challenging and you feel

(03:35):
like you're alone in this, justremember that you're not alone
and that you can get throughthis and you can reach out and
ask for help.
That's the most important thingknowing that you're not alone
at all.
Is it challenging?
Yes, can you be supportedthrough it?
Yes.
Are there things that canimprove about your child?
Yes, so things like their sleep, which of course affects their

(03:59):
behavior.
So things like what they eat,which of course invariably
affects the way their brainfunctions and that's what we
work on as low pediatrics is howcan we look at your child from
the inside out right and helpthem glow with health, literally
?
How can we address thoseunderlying things that may not

(04:19):
necessarily be addressed right,things like this child needs to
sleep.
How do we help them sleep?
That's critical, because ifyour brain doesn't get the rest
it needs, if your child's braindoesn't, your child cannot act
right, cannot behave to the bestof their abilities, cannot
function to the best of theirabilities, cannot function to
the best of their abilities.

(04:40):
If you think about you as aparent, if you don't sleep, then
you don't feel good, so it'sthe same thing with your child,
and so that's what we at GlowPediatrics work on is how can we
address all of those issues andconcerns that may or may not be
addressed, but that arecritical to the well-being of
your child overall.
And so reach out to us.

(05:00):
If you need help, go toglowpediatrics.
com or you can call 405-871-5807.
And we're here to support you.
And I just again want you toknow that there is hope and I
say that as my name is my namethere is hope for your child.
You're not alone in this.
Your child can do better.
Your child can improve, theirsymptoms can get better, and it

(05:24):
doesn't make you a failure as aparent if your child is
diagnosed with ADHD or autism.
You're not a failure.
You haven't done somethingwrong.
Let's work together to figureout how best we can help your
child do better.
Let's work together to figureout how best we can help your
child do better, and just beencouraged.
And please take care ofyourselves, parents, because if
you don't take care ofyourselves, you cannot take care

(05:46):
of your children to the best ofyour ability.
That's my encouragement fortoday.
I hope you have an amazing restof your day.
Reach out to us if you need anyhelp with your children
diagnosed with ADHD or autism.
If you need an evaluation foryour child, call us.
If you, as a parent, arelooking for support with

(06:07):
addressing the underlyingconcerns of your child using
integrative medicine, call us.
We are here to support you.
We have a YouTube channel whereI have lots of information on
there.
It's Brain Power with Dr Eko.
So just remember that you arethe best parent for your child
and that we're here to supportyou.
Have an amazing day.