ADHD? Worthwhile pursuing diagnosis?

[MerryTwinkletoes]

Hi,

DS (8) displays a lot of the symptoms of adhd although only fairly mildly.

School reports have always been very good with side notes of struggling to keep attention and lack of attention to detail, but at home we are really starting to notice incredibly short attention span, ignoring or forgetting instructions etc.

He struggles to make connections with other children as doesn't take any interest in them, and although he does attend hobby clubs he has no interest beyond a fleeting "it was fun" - he has no passions.

I was hoping for advice on whether this does sound like mild adhd, and if so whether it is worth pursuing a diagnosis? What would be the benefit?

If there are concerns I think it is always advisable to have him assessed, if a diagnosis follows then it follows. A diagnosis is private, it is not shared so no one has access to it unless you choose to disclose it. So if you need the diagnosis to get access to certain services then you use it, if his diagnosis does not help in a particular situation then you don't need to disclose it, and if in time his behaviors improve to the point that no services are required then this diagnosis will just 'falls away', it will not affect his future. A mum once told me that not getting a diagnosis when a child needs one only benefits the parent, never the child.

Though, it is a bit odd that you mentioned that he is not interested in other children, as ADHD would not naturally affect this. Children are naturally socially motivated from a young age, and as they grow up they learn the 'unwritten and invisible rules' of social communication that they would use to make connections.

Not sure that having no passions is a problem. Lots of kids will do clubs because they are chosen by the parent eg swimming or something like football because their school friends go or the coach is nice. I know kids who are passionate about a club but in my experience a vague sense of having fun is the norm.

When you say not being interested in other kids do you mean doesn't care about playing with others or not paying attention when other kids talk about their interests if it doesn't interest him? My kids will politely listen if their friends discuss their out of school activities but don't really care about who scored a goal or who is competing on Saturday. My sons had help with social skills in Reception/y2 from school which helped their confidence and I saw signs of help with social skills in later years which my kids didn't need but others did.