ADHD assessment and post assessment expectations

[PlateSpinnerJuggler]

Hi!
After a year and a half wait we finally have my DDs ADHD assessment in sight and should be being seen in November.

Can anyone tell me what happens at and after assessment? what services/help I will be able to expect for my daughter (age 9).

thanks

The diagnosis itself doesn't necessarily result in support - in my area the only routine thing offered are a couple of post diagnosis workshops for parents. However, having the diagnosis can be helpful in trying to gain appropriate support, for example when applying for an EHCP to get support at school etc.

Wow - no therapy for the child? Or medications are proposed?
I think I’d benefit from some parent sessions but I don’t think my DD is at a level needing an EHCP, but therapy for the associated anxiety or medication to help her focus too is what I was hoping for…

Other than ADHD medication which DD may be offered if she is diagnosed , with a few exceptions, support is generally based on needs rather than diagnosis. Realistically, via CAMHS, unless DD’s anxiety is severe you are unlikely to be offered any therapies.

Support in school should already be in place now. Are they providing support for the anxiety?

They help in small ways - and often deflect asking me how they can help… but I don’t know what to suggest.
recently there’s been school refusal with tears and begging to not make her go to school for couple hours in the morning…
I don’t really know how to handle it - it leaves me emotional for the whole day and unproductive in what I needed to do for the day as I’m so upset at how I’ve left her.
im not sure how to handle if it continues or becomes daily.
there’s definitely struggles academically and socially (she has friends but struggles in some settings or at least worries about them).
but she basically tells me she hates school and finds life hard.

In my experience there will be no support at all. Possibly medication if you push for it, but that’s about it. No follow up appointments either.

We have had a similar experience to @howshouldibehave although we had to have the assessment done privately. Been trying to get an NHS paediatrician appointment for DC since Jan 2020. They can't even tell me how long the wait is.

Support that has helped has been play therapy (for her) and NVR (for us).

We have paid for every penny of support we've received (except for a tremendous Facebook group run by a mum on a voluntary basis).

I'd prepare to pay if I were you.

It is crap.

We paid for a private assessment, but there is no support once you get the diagnosis.

The school should be providing support now. Things like going in 5/10 minutes/ early or via a quieter entrance. Movement breaks, thinking about placement within the classroom. Would using a wobble cushion, fidget toy, ear defenders/noise cancelling headphones help? Do the school offer anything like nurture group, Lego therapy, counselling, drawing and talking, mentoring, emotional literacy support?

If DD can’t attend school full time due to anxiety the LA have a duty to provide alternative arrangements. As well as this if you think DD needs more support than the school can or will provide you should apply for an EHCNA.

T

@Thatsnotmycar
What is emotional literacy?

To be fair she is in a Lego club - but I'm not sure if this benefits her or not - is it to assist in the social / interactions etc? Should they be assessing it in some way and feeding back - as I just know she goes but not much more than that.
I think she did it all last school year too.

She is also allowed to have a fidget and actually they have said she's top of list for art therapy when it restarts this school year - they're just sorting a new therapist (partially at my cost but that's fine)

So perhaps they're doing what they're meant to but it just feels not much as she is only getting worse - I think as school work gets harder, and girls socially get more complicated she struggles more and more

Lego club and Lego therapy aren’t necessarily the same thing. Lego club could just be a general club. Whereas, Lego therapy is aimed at supporting social communication and social interaction skills. Emotional literacy support works on things like emotions, feelings, relationships.

DD should have an IEP (or equivalent using another name) and you should get the chance to discuss reviewing progress and the support required, and amending the IEP as needed.

Are the school providing any academic support? Small group interventions, pre teaching, use of assistive technology etc.

I think as school work gets harder, and girls socially get more complicated she struggles more and more

Sadly this is common in ND girls towards late primary and into secondary. As demands and expectations increase it becomes harder for them to mask. It does sound like requesting an EHCNA would be helpful - IPSEA have a model letter you can use on their website.

It is Lego therapy, not club - I wasn't clear - but should I get feedback on it?

I don't think so far this year there has been appropriate academic intervention and not aware of an IEP (in fact had to look up the term - I'm hoping to have a meeting in the coming weeks so will bring it up then).
I've introduced a tutor privately for her to help so hopefully that will help but feel I should get more from school.

Considering I started the camhs application with their support (although again my suggestion that she may have adhd and they're agreement) 4 terms ago, I feel like when I've met with them or emailed it's basically been me listing ideas and then chasing if or what has been introduced and for feedback, never them in driving seat or leading the way...

There should be feedback, but it most likely won’t be continuously or regularly unless there’s an issue. More likely it would be feedback after a block of sessions or during an IEP review (which DD should definitely have even if its not called an IEP).


I feel like when I've met with them or emailed it's basically been me listing ideas and then chasing if or what has been introduced and for feedback, never them in driving seat or leading the way...

Unfortunately this is what the SEN system is like. DC whose parents know the system and can advocate for them get better support. It shouldn’t be like that, but it is. Parents of DC with SEN need to be on the ball all the time.