Undiagnosed ADHD: Remarkable Change

[ipsumtitsum]

For years we thought ds had ADHD or similar. He was on a wait list for three years but after good GCSE results he told us he didn’t want to see someone. He got good A levels, then went up to Cambridge to read History.

In his first year exams he did well and got a 2.1, but said he felt he worked very hard and long hours but got little done. It transpires he’d get distracted by all sorts. His college paid for learning needs assessment, which led us to paying his private ADHD assessment (reputable not like on BBC!). He got given medication, and now is such a different boy. He was able to work 9-5 and a high first and impress tutors during his supervisions. He got his First and is now doing a masters funded by his college. He now had time for extra curriculars and is a lot less stressed all round because he is focussed.

Has anyone else’s child had a similar good experience from seeking help?

No, but watching with interest - DD is in Y13 and will hopefully be assessed in the next few months. She has always done well in school but it's getting more difficult every year - she wants to work harder than she can iykwim. So it's heartening to read your DS's story, well done to him.

Well done to your son for getting as far as he did without diagnosis, and glad to hear meds have had such an impact. My Adhd’er was diagnosed just before GCSEs and has just put in their Cambridge application. It can be very hard for undiagnosed students who are maintaining good grades through sheer hard work (at significant emotional cost) to get a diagnosis. In our case meds have also helped though they have not had such a drastic effect. However I have no doubt that just knowing why things are so difficult, despite obvious ability, has also made a huge difference.

Good to know that Cambridge have been supportive.

There’s quite a few hurdles isn’t there? Getting the opportunity for diagnosis in the first place and then trying all the meds! Some ppl seem to think you get a med and you’re cured. If only.

That's great to read. We got a diagnosis last week for my daughter so I can't wait for her to start treatment as inability to focus is massive problem. I'm worried about side effects though.

May I ask where you got your adhd assessment?

My DS is similar but has been diagnosed but not prescribed yet. He does well, a 2.1 at Cambridge is really good but like your DS mine doesn't feel that his results reflect his efforts.

We're discussing this with DD, but concerned about the meds and side effects. Lacks focus, works hard, dyslexic as well. Doing well, but never quite gets the marks they expect.

Sadly mine is still waiting and still finding elements of uni quite difficult- particularly written work.

My DS was referred to the ADHD centre in his Uni town by his GP. He had a paper assessment by ADHD centre but he wasn't triaged for a face to face assessment. We offered to pay for a private assessment but he declined the offer and said he'd cope. To give him his due he is managing and developing his own strategies though I do wonder if he would benefit from more support even if not a formal diagnosis.

@ipsumtitsum thanks for this. My dc is going through this process and it has been tough so nice to hear of a positive outcome.