What's the point of an ADHD diagnosis?

[HelpAGirlOut1234]

Just as the title says... what is actually the point if you have no intention of taking medication, or medicating your child.

But you do need to show that it impairs life and underachievement in work and education is
going to be a big flash point. A teen getting A*s at Alevel and offers from the top most selective unis isn’t illustrating that. ADHD often causes big MH problems that impact education achievement as does impulsivity, organisation etc. Where is the evidence? You need to get though the screening process first with some evidence.

Honestly just no.

Nope. Again that’s not correct.

There is in fact a very high number of highly successful neurodiverse adults. Cambridge and Oxford for example have disproportionate numbers of diagnosed students.

have a look at the screening forms, there are multiple questions about barriers related to what’s being screened for but questions regarding academic attainment are not only vague but few. It will ask are they achieving their potential not that of their peers.

MD doesn’t automatically mean ADHD it can be ASC or both.

Well aware if will ask re individual potential and not peers but being on track for A* at Level is not proving potential not being reached. And during diagnosis it’s not just a few screening questions but lots of discussion and evidence looked at re struggles throughout life .

@Pookerrod

That is absolute nonsense. My friend with ADHD who supported me through my diagnosis is an academic with a PhD. I have a first class degree and was sponsored through law college by a multi national law firm. I also had to resit one of my law papers as I got the date wrong and missed the exam. The absent minded academic who is passionately obsessed with their latest project but can't remember what day it is is is one of the big ADHD cliches, but it's not without a basis in truth.

Also I'm not sure why @Pookerrod is tagged in this, but it won't let me untag you, apologies.

Not being on track is absolutely proof of potential not being reached if the had high cat scores.

I am aware re the screening process and there is no requirement at all that the child is failing academically.

Absolutely this. Everything being said about academic failure is so gross.

Week I’d love to know given how hard it is to even be seen to get a diagnosis at the moment how a 17 year old on track for A* at Alevels and offers from the most prestigious unis will prove it is impairing their life.

“Gross”🤔

Yes gross. Because you’re not only gaslighting parents whose children are academically successful but also spreading the really unpleasant narrative that neurodiverse children and adults fail academically.

For some, they need the meds and a diagnosis is the only way to get them.
People also pursue a diagnosis or ASD, and there are no meds for that... so you could ask why anyone would bother with that too.
It is about validation... having an answer for your struggles. Knowing you are not lazy or wilful, and that there is something else going on that makes normal things so difficult.

My DP has ASD, and his GP refused to refer him for an assessment on the basis there was "no support anyway".

This is nonsense, and really bloody unhelpful nonsense at that because it's exactly this kind of misinformation that blights lives because it deters people from seeking help.

I have an good undergraduate degree from Oxbridge and a masters with a distinction from another top uni. I have had a lot of success in my career as well, so according to your logic, I shouldn't have got a diagnosis. Thankfully, the NHS disagreed.

Frankly, you have no idea how adhd has affected my life, and you aren't qualified to rule out a diagnosis for others based on spurious assumptions. Leave it to the experts to assess whether there is sufficient impairment to meet the threshold for a diagnosis.

I am most certainly not saying neurodiverse children and adults fail academically. Not reaching your full potential is not failing.

I suggest you read the other comments because there are absolutely posters making those statements.

Hello. I'm a primary school teacher. Everyone is different, but in my experience, an ADHD diagnosis often answers a lot of questions for the child. There's nothing shameful or wrong with having ADHD, but there is a stigma attached to a lot of ADHD-like behaviours because they can be disruptive to the class, and give the impression of a child who is just not doing their best. An ADHD diagnosis helps the child understand themselves better; there's nothing 'wrong' with them, they just need to approach their learning slightly differently than some of their friends. It is also a more solid start with next year's teacher: the truth is that a lot of teachers will be more supportive and positive about a child with ADHD, than about an undiagnosed child who constantly disrupts the lessons and causes upset.

Three of the children in my class this year came with a 'reputation' for being rude, disrespectful, naughty, disruptive. I am not in the habit of diagnosing the children in my class, but I can tell you that if I treat these 'naughty' kids with the same strategies and grace as I give my diagnosed ND kids, they do a lot better than when I expect them to fit in with the majority of the class. Next year's teacher may not share my approach.

(And to put it in perspective, of the 28 children in my class this year, 13 of them either have a diagnosis or present with ADHD-like behaviours. It's a lot for one person to manage, and the kids with the star by their name will get attention sooner than the ones we haven't worked out yet.)

I found A levels much easier than GCSEs because I loved the subjects; I wasn’t trying to make myself work at things I had no interest in. My degree was even easier — I spent at least the final year in pretty much perpetual hyperfocus. I had nothing else to distract me and could concentrate on what I loved. Admittedly I wrote my dissertation in a ridiculously short time right up to the deadline as I couldn’t get going before it was urgent. But I functioned, as always, really well in exams. Didn’t go to many lectures though.

Not everyone has the same collection of ADHD symptoms.

A diagnosis can be really life changing, mostly because you start learning to work with your brain rather than against it because you're trying to be like everyone else.

I have a first class undergrad degree and a master’s degree with distinction - doesn’t mean I don’t have ADHD. I just had to mask like fuck and work twice as hard as everyone else to get it. It also doesn’t mean I can function in an office - my ‘crash and burn’ moment came after I started working. Everyone with ADHD is different - some of us mask very effectively in some areas - but what we all have in common is that we’re struggling, whether that’s behind the scenes or out in the open.

Education is one area of your life. If you are unable to function in other areas, you are impaired. Some people will be impaired in all areas of their life but many won’t. Unfortunately the attitude that “Oh Emma got a first from Oxford, she cannot be Neurodivergent” is what hinders so many people from accessing diagnosis and therefore, accessing support.

People saying that educational impairment is needed should consider that adhd overlays intelligence and up bringing. I know there is no point trying for a diagnosis for myself because I masked so early. Straight A student.
i know one thing for sure. None who has lived life with undiagnosed adhd would be flouting it as an excuse.
ao you are not wrong to call them out

Exactly!
My diagnosis is severe, combined ADHD. I did exceptionally well at A-Levels and uni, as I'm likely what's nowadays categorised as 2E.

That's simply not true!

Yes you are. If you want to produce any source that’s says I am wrong then please do, or just read the JCQ regulations.

Yep. High ability which compensates for other traits. This was my profile too.

I achieved a hell of a lot with ADHD I just destroyed my physical and mental health in the process at times.

Again, this simply isn't true.
God, the amount of myopia and misinformation on this thread is risible.