You Don't Need A Diagnosis to get Support: How Parent Coaching Helps
One of the most common things I hear from parents is: “We don’t have a diagnosis yet… should we wait?”
As a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in California, I want to gently and clearly say this:
👉 You do not need a diagnosis to get support.
If something feels hard in your day-to-day life with your child, that is reason enough to reach out.
Why Parents Feel They Need to Wait
Many parents don’t delay support because they don’t care. They wait because they’re trying to do the right thing.
You may have heard things like:
“Let’s give it more time.”
“Every child develops differently.”
“They’ll probably grow out of it.”
“You need a diagnosis before you can do anything.”
Often, this advice comes from people who genuinely want to reassure you. And sometimes, waiting does feel easier than opening another door when you’re already juggling so much.
At the same time, many parents tell me they’re holding a quiet question in the back of their mind: “What if it doesn’t get easier?”
Feeling unsure, conflicted, or hesitant doesn’t mean you’re overreacting. It means you’re being thoughtful, protective, and deeply tuned in to your child. Wanting guidance, without rushing to labels or worst-case scenarios, is incredibly reasonable.
Getting support doesn’t mean you’ve decided anything about your child. It simply means you’re giving yourself tools, understanding, and reassurance along the way.
What Is Parent Coaching?
Parent coaching is a collaborative, evidence-based service where a BCBA works directly with caregivers to:
Understand why behaviors are happening
Teach practical strategies you can use right away
Support communication, emotional regulation, and routines
Reduce stress for the whole family- not just the child
Unlike traditional therapy models that focus only on the child, parent coaching empowers you because you’re the one with your child every day.
Why Parent Coaching Is Especially Helpful Early
Early support doesn’t mean something is “wrong.” It means you’re being proactive.
Parent coaching can help when:
Your child has frequent tantrums or meltdowns
Transitions are hard (bedtime, school, leaving the house)
You’re unsure how to respond without escalating behavior
You feel like strategies work for a while… then stop
Behavior is manageable in public or school, but hard at home
These challenges are incredibly common and they’re also very teachable.
No Diagnosis? No Problem.
In California, many families are surprised to learn that:
Parent coaching does not require a formal diagnosis
Support can begin while families are still “figuring things out”
Telehealth coaching is available statewide
Skills learned through coaching are helpful regardless of diagnosis outcome
Whether your child eventually receives a diagnosis or not, the strategies you learn now remain valuable long-term.
In-Home & Telehealth: Meeting Families Where They Are
Parent coaching can happen:
In your home, where real-life routines and challenges occur
Via telehealth, making it accessible for busy families or those outside major cities
Telehealth parent coaching allows us to work within your actual environment. Mealtime, bedtime, sibling dynamics and not a clinic setting that doesn’t always reflect real life.
Trusting Your Instincts Matters
If you’re reading this, there’s likely a reason.
You don’t need to:
Be in crisis
Have a diagnosis
Wait for school concerns
Feel “bad enough”
You deserve support now, not later.
Ready to Talk?
If you’re a parent in California wondering whether parent coaching, in-home support, or telehealth services could help your family, I’d be happy to connect.
A consultation is simply a conversation; no pressure, no commitment, just support and clarity.
👉 Contact me today to schedule a consultation and learn how parent coaching can help your family thrive.