Any knowledge of what happens at ADHD assessment appt?

[teekay88]

Hi everyone hope you are well! I posted this on SN chat board but not sure how much traffic this has. As there is an adoption angle I am reposting here too in case any of you have any insight you might be able to share!! Much appreciated! Xx

Hi there. I have a 5.5yo son who is going to a private consultation assessment (face to face) for ADHD this Friday. Long story to explain why at such a young age but a number of factors mean we have a lot of evidence already even by his age and this is supported by his school and other professionals involved

My question is I have no real idea of what to expect at the actual appointment itself as presumably at his age a lot of it is going to be centered on talking to us as his parents? It's a well known and reputable hospital we have gone with after seeking recommendations and having been very conscious of it being a credible provider, but I have to admit I've been pretty surprised at how uncommunicative they have been after the initial emails about paperwork. We have so far submitted responses to parental questionnaire, completed an initial referral form with lots of supporting information, and school have been asked to complete paperwork their side. We've had no real overview sent of what to expect - i.e. will he go to a different room to us to be observed while we talk to them about his symptoms? Will he undertake any tests? How long will it last etc? I'm also unclear whether we are likely to get confirmation of diagnosis on day or whether this will be a follow up

Any insight v much appreciated!

Ps at this time I don't think we'll be going down the medication route but again if anyone has experience of the process of starting meds and how this is managed this would also be useful background info for us

Hi @teekay88 my DD was quite a bit older when she was assessed for ADHD and it was a private assessment as waiting times insane on nhs (2 years to even get initial assessment)

The assessment itself was primarily with DD who was around 11 but I was with her. Paediatrician was more interested in talking to her than me but that may have been her age. He observed her ‘stealthily’ I would say so rather than making it explicit he was ‘observing’ her behaviour so he let her pick up the fidget toys and other stuff in his office and then outlined in his report other ADHD behaviours he’d observed such as stimming, foot tapping, need to move etc He was very patient and kind in the assessment and keen to put DD at ease.

In terms of diagnosis, we got that on the day and I was very surprised about that - think I’d been expecting another long wait. It was followed up with detailed assessment report which also was sent to GP.

DD was started on some meds (after discussion about possible side effects during consultation). We’d also done some research in advance and I’d talked to DD about possibility of meds and she was keen / willing to try them. If you do want to start meds - and the consultant was clear that was my and DDs choice and we could have time to think about it further if we wanted - he started her on them that day. They do something called titration which is gradually upping the dose over about a 4 week period.

Hope that helps and hope your assessment goes ok