SEN

[Jools58]

I am a grandma to a 3yr old boy. I am worried about him and wonder if anyone else has gone through the same issue.
He goes to the local school nursery. Today the SENCO for the school came in to observe him owing to ADHD. He has some symptoms for it. He is never still, doesnt like loud noises . He is social in small groups but cant cope with large groups. These are just a few things. Well after the observation his mum was told she doesnt think it is ADHDD that is his problem but there is something. She adbised her to get in touch with her Health Visitor.e
I am kust wondering if anyone else has had anything like this and if they found out what the problem was or is.
Thank you for reading it.

The dislike of loud noises and issues with large groups would make me think Autism rather than ADHD. If I were your DD I would ask the SENCo for clarity on what they believe his difficulties are. If the are signs of autism I would ask them to make a referral to the child development centre Assessment takes a long time though. DDs school referred her in March 2021 and we’ve had an initial appointment to assess whether DD needed to be on the waiting list, she is but we’re still looking at a couple of years from joining the list.

Very sorry to say this, and with all respect, nobody can diagnose autism or ADHD from a couple of paragraphs someone has written on Mumsnet. A lot of neurotypical young kids also have problems with transitions, large groups etc.

It took two years and lots of appointments with a whole range of different specialists for our kids to get their diagnoses (and that was pre Covid).They were started on the diagnosis pathway by their primary school when they started there.

It sounds like the very first steps have been taken if a SENCo has come to watch him, and they will have a much better idea of whether he needs a diagnosis.

If his parents want to follow up any recommendations, it will be up to them, but it will be tough and they may really need your support with the process and afterwards.

My son is now in primary school but his issues were picked up in Montessori pre school. They were very attentive and basically gave him 1-1 inclusive support. the Area SEND CO attended and reported on the visit.

They won’t formally diagnose ADHD until 7yrs according to the SEN team. He displays these symptoms. Impulse Control Issues, unable to verbalise frustration and so he bites,
Hyper Activity, Lack of Concentration, poor memory if uninterested he doesn’t absorb information etc.

His behaviour has been treated as disruptive and he has been given time outs. He has been sent home once. This doesn’t help me.

The waiting list for referral to Paediatrics is 2 yrs and they have a narrow parameter for acting at 5yrs old. They only act if there is a communication issue.

We had to wait until Term 3 for observation from the SEND CO and she only works 2.5 days a week.

It’s a very slow process, unless you manage to get referral. My HV’s told me they were too busy to get involved in transfer to Primary.

It is been very hard and I know I am not alone in getting no help.