Who to ask for support?

[Nel81]

Hi, my AS4 (5 next month) is a lot. On the go from the time he wakes us at 6.30am until he goes to bed at 7pm. He doesn't stop moving or talking 🙈 impulse control is non existent. Birth parents have both self declared that they have ADHD and its looking more and more likely that he does too. His social worker said she'd never seen such a busy child and his creche worker asked me yesterday how I kept up with him, as he's non stop. I asked the health visitor about it but, because he's started school, I have to go through school. School doesn't start again for a few weeks and they've never mentioned anything to me so I'm wondering if they'll accept that I want to start the process. Nursery is only 2 hours a day but reception is full time so I'm worried he's going to struggle. Should I ask for a meeting with the senco straight away? Before he started the nursery class they gave me a profile to fill in detailing his likes and dislikes eg hand dryers and people walking behind him but I've had nothing for reception and he'd only been with me a few months then and it's been over a year now so I know more things about him. He's a loving little boy but does have violent meltdowns at home. Any advice gratefully received and thanks for reading.

[Patchyman1]

We were on your shoes and contacted the teacher for LAC children (every school must have one) and took it from there. This person will organise the pupil premium plus and point you in the right direction

[UnderTheNameOfSanders]

Regardless of anything else you do, write an information sheet for his class teacher and copy the SENCO and drop it off at the school on the first day of term (even if it is an INSET day) & send by email.

explain Adopted, ADHD in birth family, etc etc.

Also if you are No photos then make that clear. Plus any sensitive issues (eg the All About Me topic if it is still used).

I didn't rely on primary to pass info on between year groups either, so each year the new class teacher got an up to date info sheet.

re PPP: you may need to bring in proof of adoption to show the school admin.

[onlytherain]

I would ask your GP for a referral to CAMHS. They will then start the assessment process. ADHD assessments take place in two different environments, usually school and home. However, since he is only starting school, I would ask CAMHS if nursery can fill in the questionnaires to speed up the process and to get a more accurate feedback, because your son will find the transition stressful and at first might behave differently in school.

This might not be everyone's cup of tea, but I have googled assessment forms, filled them in and gave them to my daughter's psychiatrist when first meeting them. All psychiatrists found this helpful. You need to make sure though that they are the official assessment forms and are the children's version. I would also write down all the symptoms he has on a bad day and take that with you to meeting with the GP and CAMHS. Don't sugarcoat things or don't mention something because he doesn't do it every day.

I would definitely ask for a meeting with the SENCO and the LAC officer and make a plan for his transition and for the case that he cannot handle full days.

Beacon house has good resources to explain the effects of trauma: https://beaconhouse.org.uk/resources/

https://www.additudemag.com/adhd-and-trauma-overview-signs-symptoms/