| While this character can at times be crass, rude, | | | | to hear from others. |
| sarcastic, and maybe even a little mean to his | | | | 6. Stand your ground and advocate. |
| patients, he never forgets that his goal is to help | | | | Have you ever noticed how House's character |
| his patient. As a parent, you want to approach a | | | | stands up to his boss? In fact, he sometimes |
| possible ADHD diagnosis with the best intentions in | | | | appears as if he is crossing the line. However, |
| mind for your child. It's far too easy today, with | | | | there is a level professionalism communicated |
| our busy schedules, to lose sight of our goals. | | | | between the two characters. There is a |
| 2. You need to be an investigator as well as a | | | | difference between standing your ground and |
| parent. | | | | advocating your case versus being totally out of |
| Despite being a licensed physician, House | | | | line and out of order. Advocate for your child. |
| sometimes goes outside the lines a little bit. Maybe | | | | Stand up for what you believe. Communicate with |
| he bends the rules sometimes. But the bottom | | | | professionals. |
| line is that he gets things done, and identifies what | | | | 7. Don't take life so serious. |
| is troubling his patients. In your role, you need to | | | | Here's one of the finer traits I admire about this |
| be both parent and investigator. The lines will get | | | | character. Aside from always having fun, he |
| blurry and maybe overlap. It's okay! Just | | | | knows just how serious to take things before |
| remember that while you are frustrated and | | | | they get out of hand. Too many people get |
| trying to figure out what is going on, that your | | | | caught up in the "severity" of an issue, and lose |
| child is your child and needs love and attention. | | | | track of the fact that life is supposed to be fun. |
| 3. You need to ask the hard questions. | | | | 8. He doesn't always get it right the first time. |
| The great thing about House's character is that he | | | | If figuring out the diagnosis were easy enough to |
| is not afraid to ask the tough questions. He | | | | always get it right the first time, then wouldn't |
| knows what needs to be asked, and he does it. | | | | everyone be a doctor? Understanding your child's |
| Sometimes he might upset his patient, or other | | | | symptoms or behavioral patterns takes time. It's |
| professionals at the hospital, but again, he gets | | | | all trial and error. With the exception of doing |
| the job done. As a parent, you need to ask the | | | | harm, there is little damage that can be done if |
| tough questions in such a way that reinforces the | | | | you slow down and try out or learn as many |
| love you have for your child while still getting to | | | | alternatives as you can. |
| the bottom line. | | | | 9. Don't overlook the obvious. |
| 4. He always seems to be having fun. | | | | Sometimes when things get so serious or so real, |
| Think of all the fun this guy has. He is confident, | | | | we tend to overlook the obvious. In cases of |
| and maybe a little arrogant. He sometimes steps | | | | ADHD, many professionals make a leap to |
| on toes, but he seems to enjoy it. While not | | | | diagnosing the disorder based on a few key |
| everyone will agree with his approach or his | | | | behaviors. Unfortunately, there are far too many |
| attitude, he does seem to keep a level of "fun" in | | | | other reasons or causes of many of these same |
| his work. There is a valuable lesson there. Once | | | | behaviors. Never overlook the obvious, even if it |
| the job is no longer fun, not only do we not do a | | | | is something that you don't think could be the |
| good job, but we become mean and lose sight of | | | | cause or trigger. |
| what is important. | | | | 10. There always seems to be more going on. |
| 5. It takes a team to figure this out | | | | Despite the diagnosis, the patients that Dr. House |
| Have you ever noticed that House never works | | | | treats always seem to be impacted by other |
| alone. Even when he doesn't have his own team, | | | | events, situations, circumstances, or people that |
| he relies on other experts and professionals in the | | | | raises the bar. Even if your child truly does have |
| field. Brainstorming and sharing ideas can only | | | | ADHD, chances are that there are other related |
| benefit you, your child, and your family. Never | | | | issues at hand. Always go back to finding the root |
| forget your opinion or bias, but it's always helpful | | | | cause of behaviors. |