ADHD diagnoses

[cardy1969]

Not really a child but my 17 yo dd has come to the conclusion she had ADHD.

She has always had difficulty concentrating and fidgeting but it's something we have never really taken seriously and even joke about. However, one of her friends made a passing comment about her lack of concentration and said she might have ADHD. She has googled it and according to the NHS website she feels she has many of the symptoms and I would agree with some of them.

She has functioned perfectly well so far, but does finding it challenging to finish lengthy college work and revising. She's never managed to finish reading a whole book for example and often drifts off whilst having a conversation. I suspects she drifts off in class too.

I'm not sure if I should pursue this or even how to pursue this. I know some people who's children have ADHD who find it really challenging and their DCs have some behaviour difficulties and I wouldn't compare my daughter's potential symptoms with them. However if she has come to me and said she thinks I have this I think I owe it to her to take it seriously. I'm just not sure what to do next.

ADHD presents differently in girls to boys so that may be why the typical behaviours associated with ADHD haven't been an issue. I would absolutely look at getting a diagnosis, it sounds like she has managed well but in my experience having a diagnosis can massively change lives for the better even when they come later in life.

Has her college or old school ever raised any concerns? We have a much younger child with a diagnosis so it may be different for an older child, hopefully someone else may have more age specific advise. My understanding would be that to move forward you will probably need supporting evidence from her college. Do they have a SENCO? If so I'd set up a meeting with them to discuss your concerns, they may be able make a referral for you or you can ask your GP to make one. Definitely go armed with plenty of examples of how she meets he criteria. Good luck