Trenna Sutcliffe, M.D.

So I talk to parents all the time about this because I evaluate children. I evaluate children for autism or ADHD. And very often when I'm evaluating the child, at some point while I develop this relationship with the family, the parents say, gosh, so much of my child is in me.

So I talk to parents all the time about this because I evaluate children. I evaluate children for autism or ADHD. And very often when I'm evaluating the child, at some point while I develop this relationship with the family, the parents say, gosh, so much of my child is in me.

As you are describing my child and my child's strengths and challenges, and I see me, and this is exactly what I went through when I was young. And then they share how hard it was, and they say, gosh, no one understood me, or I felt bad because I was misunderstood, or I thought it was my fault. I didn't try hard enough. So I have to say it can be validating for an adult.

As you are describing my child and my child's strengths and challenges, and I see me, and this is exactly what I went through when I was young. And then they share how hard it was, and they say, gosh, no one understood me, or I felt bad because I was misunderstood, or I thought it was my fault. I didn't try hard enough. So I have to say it can be validating for an adult.

To learn that it wasn't their fault and this is part of their wiring. I have many, many parents who ask me, should I go get assessed now?

To learn that it wasn't their fault and this is part of their wiring. I have many, many parents who ask me, should I go get assessed now?

I ask questions. I think information is power. I think it's good for them to be thinking about it, whether or not they go on to actually get assessed. With the autism piece, often they don't. With the ADHD piece, they often do because they realize actually their ADHD traits are impacting their function and success at their job.

I ask questions. I think information is power. I think it's good for them to be thinking about it, whether or not they go on to actually get assessed. With the autism piece, often they don't. With the ADHD piece, they often do because they realize actually their ADHD traits are impacting their function and success at their job.

So sometimes they will actually go to a psychiatrist to get an assessment. But I do share with them the genetics and the family history. So what do I say? I validate. I say, yes, you're telling me that growing up you had many traits that today we would classify as under one of these diagnoses, you're right.

So sometimes they will actually go to a psychiatrist to get an assessment. But I do share with them the genetics and the family history. So what do I say? I validate. I say, yes, you're telling me that growing up you had many traits that today we would classify as under one of these diagnoses, you're right.

It is possible because these things do run in families and there is a highly genetic component. And I think sometimes just that conversation can be therapeutic itself in that someone feeling validated and they have that aha moment, like, okay, this explains a lot. And then they can feel good as well because they're like, okay, this explains a lot.

It is possible because these things do run in families and there is a highly genetic component. And I think sometimes just that conversation can be therapeutic itself in that someone feeling validated and they have that aha moment, like, okay, this explains a lot. And then they can feel good as well because they're like, okay, this explains a lot.

And I've gone on and I currently have my family and I'm doing well in many parts of my life. But it helps them also understand like, ah, but now I understand why sometimes I do have these challenges at work or with my spouse.

And I've gone on and I currently have my family and I'm doing well in many parts of my life. But it helps them also understand like, ah, but now I understand why sometimes I do have these challenges at work or with my spouse.

It's interesting just sometimes having a perspective where now you can see your challenges through a different lens sometimes helps a person just actually now think about, okay, now I can adjust or understand the triggers or can reflect and think about how do I want to respond the next time. So I think, again, that information's empowering.

It's interesting just sometimes having a perspective where now you can see your challenges through a different lens sometimes helps a person just actually now think about, okay, now I can adjust or understand the triggers or can reflect and think about how do I want to respond the next time. So I think, again, that information's empowering.

Even if they don't ever go to therapy or do anything else, just actually starting to become informed about it can help.

Even if they don't ever go to therapy or do anything else, just actually starting to become informed about it can help.

Yes.

Yes.