ADHD referral at 17 (child or adult?)

[tralalaa1225]

I am so confused I literally want to scream!

trying to get DD an ADHD referral . She’s managed to mask for several years and school have been reluctant to help with referring her for assessment.

Her MH is now really struggling and I’m desperately trying to get her assessed.

Went to GP with her this morning and was told that at 17 & 6 months there is no point referring her as a child but we will have to wait another 6 months before they will even start an adult referral 🤦‍♀️. She literally falling through the net.
I have read all the available infomeation but its still hugely complicated.

I am prepared to have her privately assessed if it’s going to be quicker but don’t know what I’m doing apart from ensuring the provider is GMC registered. Also can I then get her care transferred to NHS at 18?

i want to help DD but don’t want to shell Out ££££ if it’s not actually going to get her the help she needs or I end up having to private prescription fees indefinitely

Go private. The waiting lists are stupid for children and adults.

My dd was assessed privately. She was assessed at 17.

Medication is about 100 quid a month, but she gets pip to help with it.

You can still go on NHS waiting list, but it’s ridiculous.

Thanks so much for the speed reply. Who did you go to for the assessment and are you trying to get the meds transferred to NHS?

We went to the local lead in children’s ADHD on our area. Where are you based?

Gp’s wouldn’t pick up the prescription. This is why we’re on waiting list for NHS referral. There’s 9,000on adult waiting list in our area, and they screened 17 last year.

We have an EHCP and even that couldn’t get her treated on NHS. We just have to wait.

Some medicines are cheaper.

We are in Suffolk, no clue how I find out is there is an ADHD lead

We had this and even some of the private providers told us their wait for child assessment was more than 6 months (these were ones using a psychiatrist, some of the ones with specialist nurses were faster but we though less chance that meds on the NHS would happen with these). We did wait till 18 in the end (DD wasn't as acute as your sounds) and went on the right-to-choose path through the GP, however even that has taken 18 months, but there are other providers who are much quicker and available on right to choose now. Also I think right to choose may have been extended to under 18s but it wasn't available then. We haven't got as far as medication yet.

Lots of helpful info here https://adhduk.co.uk/right-to-choose/

See if there any local SEN groups on Facebook and ask for recommendations on there. If you’re struggling for local groups, look at national ADHD groups or even Autistic Girls Network, there’s a lot of crossover with autism

If she is struggling with her MH then depending on what it is Gp may be able to help.

they can prescribe anti anxiety pills and anti depressants.

ky DD who has adhd is also on duloxetine for anxiety

I just looked for a local child pyschiatrist and she came up. She was half the price of the big private providers and started Dd on meds straight away.

Gp’s arent supposed to prescribe anti depressants to under 18.

GP refused to prescribe anxiety meds; thankfully DD is seeing a therapist