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How to get referred for a ADHD assessment? Child

4 replies

NameChanged15729 · 01/08/2021 14:43

My son is five and has a diagnosis of autism and global developmental delay. He is verbal and attends a mainstream school with a statement. One problem I am encountering is his statement was done virtually over lockdown and its greatly lacking. At the moment he is only entitled to an hour a week 1-1 but his recent school report emphasised that he only learns with a member of staff working with him on a 1-1 basis and he can only concentrate on learning for very short bursts at a time. They called it his ‘learning style’.
I have found a tutor who specialises in teaching children with autism to start with him this September so I’m hoping that helps.

I’ve always suspected he has ADHD alongside autism but up until now I haven’t felt the need to seek assessment. However, I’m concerned that he’s really going to struggle with the lack of concentration going into year one.
It’s not just that he struggles with high energy levels and sitting still. It’s also interrupting conversations because he can’t wait his turn and impulsivity. It’s like if I tell him not to do something like tip a bucket of water on the floor he’s physically twitching until he can’t take it anymore and does it anyway.

Do I go through the gp and hope they will give me a referral or can I phone his consultant and ask his advice? I’m sure his yearly catch up (can’t think of a better word!) is due soon so I could mention it then.

OP posts:
Mangomammy · 01/08/2021 18:27

1 hour of 1:1 a week sounds almost useless, hopefully this can be adjusted ASAP.

The behaviours you’re describing are also pretty common of ASD.

Either of the options you suggested would be ideal, I imagine your consultant would be better placed to organise a reassessment and offer advise/ guidance. Maybe enquire about additional support out with school as well with an organisation who have staff trained to work with kids with autism would make a huge improvement and their techniques could be passed on to school.

Try and not get yourself too stressed about the situation.

PathOfLeastResitance · 01/08/2021 19:04

It varies depending on where you live. It depends on which provider has won the commission to diagnose in your area. You could go to your GP but you could also wait until the new term and speak to the school SENCo.
When you say “statement” do you mean EHCP? If that is not fit for his needs then you need to call an early annual review. Again, speak to your school SENCo.

NameChanged15729 · 01/08/2021 20:35

Thank you both!

Yes I mean a EHCP, I know they changed the language around it recently but I’m stuck in the old ways Blush.
I was supposed to have an annual review at the end of last school year, so two weeks ago, but it never happened.

One hour a week is really bothering me and I don’t think the assessment was fair. It was conducted by someone who couldn’t use teams properly and kept turning the screen off on us! I also don’t like that they can clearly see he needs more than an hour a week but seem to be brushing it under the carpet.

I’ll speak to the SENCO when he goes back in September about my chances of success with an early annual review.

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PathOfLeastResitance · 01/08/2021 21:16

Talk to your SENCo about what you want to achieve from the early AR as they will be your best ally. In the EHCPs that I am involved in it very rarely states 1:1 and if it said that for 1 hour a week I’d be getting that changed. What is hoping to be achieved with that provision?!?
Why didn’t the AR happen?

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