ADHD/ASD diagnosing

[PepsiMaxQueen]

Not really an AIBU but posting here for traffic.

Ive decided to get a loan and get my DD7 assessed privately. One issue I’m having is that she’s excellent at masking in school, however it’s as soon as she’s at home or around people she trusts like grandparents, her dad (we’re not together) and at external activities that it really shows itself.

They want a questionnaire filled out by school, but if she’s masking in school is this going to go against us?

I had the same issue with my DD13, she went undiagnosed because of it and as soon as she started secondary school the shit hit the fan so to speak, she’s now diagnosed after an awful awful time at school and has an EHCP. ADHD and ASD are genetic in my family, my 3 older daughters have it, my mum, and myself.

Grateful for any experiences or knowledge with this one

My child was diagnosed aged 5 (NHS) and school actually said that they observed no issues with him.

It is very common for ASD and ADHD to be masked in school and they present in such different ways that the schools 'view' will only be part of the assessment. The professionals assessing will be experienced with this and will be aware of how hit and miss knowledge and experience within the school environment really is.

My DD's ASD assessment (private) didn't involve school at all but her ADHD (NHS) did. The school clearly had no clue, in fact the teacher who completed the form (the SENCO) hadn't taught her since her difficulties had started to really present. The professionals reviewed the form but far more weight was put on our observations as a family and the computerized QB test they did which showed her inattentiveness to be off the charts!

My son was nhs diagnosed approx 18 months ago even though the school's first brief questionnaire indicated they saw no issues. Possibly speeded things up a bit, if anything, as CAMHS then made the decision not to involve them further.

does she attend any out of school activities/groups? I had a similiar problem with DS2 so ended up getting his karate coach and his tutor to fill in the questionnaire also

Thanks everyone that’s made me feel a little bit better. She does do some out of school activities but a lot of the time she won’t go if it’s too loud and busy, so there’s not much to base it on. The issues are all present at my house, at dads house and at her grandparents so it’s definitely in more than one setting and having a massive impact on family life, so I hope that’s enough. Hopefully the fact her sisters are diagnosed will help.