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How would I get DS checked for autism or ADHD

29 replies

Biggiebiggiecantuc · 07/12/2024 11:14

I have a feeling that there is something not right with my DS. I cannot put my finger on it and he doesn’t seem to meet the definition of autism or ADHD but something seems wrong with him.

  1. lots of day dreaming
  2. lots obsessing over things
  3. occasional melt downs which seem very strange for his age - he is 11

He has dyslexia but the school aren’t interested in any other concerns because he normally keeps quiet and does his work.

Any idea who can I speak to? GP said he’ll grow out of doing these things.

OP posts:
Fluffycloudsfloatinginthesky · 08/12/2024 10:29

Thanks @Tess150 yes - I have suspected adhd for a while but she was coping ok so didn't pursue.

However the older she gets the more I see traits of my sister - she completely shuts down if you try and discuss anything.

mitogoshigg · 08/12/2024 10:43

These could all be down to dyslexia.

You could get a private diagnosis and you will get one, my gp friend says everyone who pays a private doctor gets a bit of paper with their desired diagnosis but they (gp's) know that they are not real hence many settings not accepting them.

Think about what you want to address, day dreaming? That's common, not a medical concern, obsessing- is it at inappropriate times, is it ruining their life? Some people are naturally more obsessive than others and it's not a concern unless it's interfering with normal life (I'm sat next to a man obsessed with aircraft, it really is a non issue). Meltdowns - contrary to popular belief, kids don't stop having them at 4, they lessen but it's quite normal for children to get really upset, I certainly did at that age, and right through my teens I could be a right madam!

I think what I'm saying is that perhaps you and society more generally needs to stop trying so pigeonhole people into a binary of "normal" and "neurodiverse" it's a continuum and many people including myself, my husband, one of my dc, my exh, my brother and many more in my life sit in that middle ground, and we function in society just fine as long as people will leave us alone and not make us conform to certain norms, so what if I obsess over things, it's just me! (And I'm a right daydreamer too).

To get a proper diagnosis it needs to be observed in two settings, just think about why you want this? For medication? I would hate someone to have drugged me to make me conform. I have an autistic child and it was very apparent from weeks old that she was different, honestly you know if they are autistic to that degree

Nineandtwenty · 08/12/2024 10:52

There's a difference between school don't have any real concerns and school won't refer. If parents are genuinely concerned I will refer but warn I can only say what I see in school. It's not my job to diagnose so I leave it to the doctors to decide. Even the referral form is pretty detailed so there is usually something that might stand out a little bit. Have you directly ask if they will refer?

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Lunedimiel · 08/12/2024 11:27

mitogoshigg · 08/12/2024 10:43

These could all be down to dyslexia.

You could get a private diagnosis and you will get one, my gp friend says everyone who pays a private doctor gets a bit of paper with their desired diagnosis but they (gp's) know that they are not real hence many settings not accepting them.

Think about what you want to address, day dreaming? That's common, not a medical concern, obsessing- is it at inappropriate times, is it ruining their life? Some people are naturally more obsessive than others and it's not a concern unless it's interfering with normal life (I'm sat next to a man obsessed with aircraft, it really is a non issue). Meltdowns - contrary to popular belief, kids don't stop having them at 4, they lessen but it's quite normal for children to get really upset, I certainly did at that age, and right through my teens I could be a right madam!

I think what I'm saying is that perhaps you and society more generally needs to stop trying so pigeonhole people into a binary of "normal" and "neurodiverse" it's a continuum and many people including myself, my husband, one of my dc, my exh, my brother and many more in my life sit in that middle ground, and we function in society just fine as long as people will leave us alone and not make us conform to certain norms, so what if I obsess over things, it's just me! (And I'm a right daydreamer too).

To get a proper diagnosis it needs to be observed in two settings, just think about why you want this? For medication? I would hate someone to have drugged me to make me conform. I have an autistic child and it was very apparent from weeks old that she was different, honestly you know if they are autistic to that degree

Think you need to be a bit careful here on two counts. My DC's autism was late diagnosed. Whilst it went under the radar for a long time they may now need to transfer to a special school in recognition of the extent of their difficulties, so these things are definitely not always recognised at an early age.

Medication for ADHD is life changing for many people and the evidence base now show how effective it is for 70-80% of people who take it. As DC's Psychologist observed, few drugs achieve this level of efficacy. So whilst medication remains a very personal decision, it is not a thing to be pooh-poohed.

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