ADHD diagnosis in July and still no letter

[tunnocksreturns2019]

Is this normal in your area? School don’t want to discuss support until the diagnosis letter from paediatrician has arrived.

DS is struggling massively at school and at home and it’s taken me five years to get anyone to take me seriously and get the diagnosis in the first place because he has inattentive type - he’s not disruptive, he’s quiet and well spoken, but most of what needs to be done is sailing over his head. Anything he’s learnt, he’s learnt 1:1 at home.

He’s year 8; reading age measured at school as 13 at age 11; however their cat tests predicted GCSEs 1-3 or 2-4. Why they have to predict GCSEs at their age beggars belief but there we are.

Paediatrician said in July to call and ask to speak to him direct if any problems; his view was that DS is a bright child who currently needs 1:1 support, and we’d review after six months and consider meds then. I think he needs them now (well, five years ago). I’ve called and asked to speak to paediatrician direct more than once, and it’s apparently on DS’s record that I need a call back - it simply never happens. I’ve called to chase the diagnosis letter six times since July.

I’m more than happy to go private to ease NHS pressure; I’ve googled several times but still don’t know where to start. I’m sure DS needs meds, but how the hell do we ever get to trial this when I can’t even get the letter?

I have been really nice and patient on the phone so they’re not withholding it due to my bolshiness, honest.

What would you do next? He is constantly in trouble for being in the wrong place at the wrong time; missing the content of the majority of his lessons; finding it hard to connect with friends during busy break times; comes gone exhausted, sad, and feeling like he’s failing. And then I have to coach him through homework 😬😬😬

I don’t know what to suggest unfortunately, but just wanted to sympathise with you.

My eldest was “lucky” he got diagnosed as he was going into year 3 (ADHD plus ASD and dyspraxia). He got medication and I do think this has helped him (although I still have to coach him through his homework!). He is Year 7 now.

My youngest (8) was referred last year, had a virtual appointment in November and then nothing since. Currently on a waiting list for a face to face and likely to be another 2-4 months of waiting and then they will probably need to refer him for the ASD screening and then the wait for the diagnosis…..all the time he gets further behind at school.

I would ask the consultants secretary for an address to write to and set out the fact that school are refusing him help until they have the letter. Sometimes a letter can still work better than an email or phone call.

This is so wrong and I'm sorry for your son. I am a TA in Wales supporting a child with ADHD which usually presents as inattentive. He doesn't have the letter yet but our new SEN (ALN) code now states that if there are enough symptoms the school should not wait for a diagnosis but support the child as if they have the condition. I'm sure this would in fact be teacher differentiation though not one to one. I fortunately support this child because he also has another condition. He absolutely needs one to one. No doubt.

Thanks so much both. I will try a letter and I’m going to try both GP and MP too. We can’t go on like this. daisybrown37 I hope your youngest gets the support he needs soon. It’s so hard watching them struggle

Ah another day begins. Seven asks and a big row just to get him in the shower.

you need to speak to the school, they should offer help regardless of the lack of letter

They can’t apply for any funding without the letter.

And I honestly think it’s medication that will make the biggest difference. I’ve done enough work with him 1:1 to know that.

so when do you get the medication?

Who knows? A year or more at this rate

Can’t access it except via paediatrician who I can’t get hold of. And there would be at least one clinic appointment after that.

He’ll be school refusing soon.