If you have a DC diagnosed with ADHD can you come talk to me please

[Anevilintervention]

DS age 12 is awaiting diagnosis for ADHD. He has been having issues at school with focus, ongoing since before he even started school but now he is at high school we have decided to get a formal diagnosis as he isn’t meeting his potential and teachers have commented that if he focused better, he would do better academically.

Along with this, he has some issues with impulse control eg yesterday in school another boy banged into him by accident and DS became angry and lashed out at the boy. He has a few unusual interests (not all-consuming and he does like other ‘regular’ things, so to speak) and this has prompted some of the nastier kids at school to make fun of him sometimes.

If anyone has a child who has been diagnosed with ADHD and has had intervention of some kind, whether medication or other types of therapies or input, I’d love to hear how this has helped your DC and what positive changes it’s had to their lives. I’m feeling quite down today about this incident at school yesterday and I just think I need to feel that there’s hope for him to do well at school and for him to stop being a target for the nasty kids. I’m pretty much counting down the days until school ends for the term as I’m just fed up with it all.

My son has adhd amongst his other diagnosis. For him being medicated for the adhd has helped him massively in being able to increase his focus. He has a split dose so he has a tablet at dinner time to help him in the afternoons.

other things that have helped is always having a fiddle in his blazer pocket and being allowed to have regular movement breaks.

he is increasingly able to understand for himself when he needs to remove himself from a situation thabkfully!

I have two DDs with ADHD who were not identified till late teens.

However, I also work with upper primary aged children with and en route to diagnosis and a few things have made a big difference to them. Firstly getting to understand how their body can feel if their sensory needs are not being met (movement is the obvious one) and so making sure they do something to meet those needs asap. Seconds putting together a zones of regulation pack (lots of info online) to help shift up and down a gear. This can take a while to put together if it's done thoroughly. Thirdly medication. The only downside I have experience of with medication is that some children find eating a challenge when on it (not all), but the results are quick and effective if they are on the right one.

I'd also suggest looking at websites such as ADHD Embrace, where you will find lots of support.

Speaking from experience in this field. Are you in contact with your local CAMHS mental health services?

If your child has never taken medication before, and their symptoms are severely impacting their day to day life they will likely commence methylphenidate, (medikinet, Concerta, Equsyam, these are other names of methylphenidate, comes in different strengths and formulations) but I suggest see a specialist Dr. For more information and both you and your child can make an informed decision.

Alongside medication psychological input would support recovery. Depending if the need is there possibly OT support.

Have you got an EHCP in place for schooling?

The only downside I have experience of with medication is that some children find eating a challenge when on it (not all), but the results are quick and effective if they are on the right one.

For children where eating is a concern there are non stimulant drugs available which are slower release but don’t have the same impact upon appetite.

adhd is a condition which responds to medication very well, the only challenge is finding the correct dose

if you do go down the medication route stick with it, it takes a few weeks for the side effects to go but once on the correct dose it is life changing

Hi all thanks for the replies, I'll take a look at those suggestions spidertights cheers. Sirzy and coldy it's good to know that you have experience of meds and other techniques working, appreciate your input. Can i ask what side effects were experienced and what major changes did you see with the meds?

Manifest28 when DS was in primary he had a plan that was reviewed regularly and we had meetings with an Ed psych, as time went on the number of items on rhe plan dwindled as he was doing better and needing less support, plus the Ed psych input stopped around p5 for the same reason.