Where to start if you think your six year old is neurodivergent

[headingtorain]

I am fairly certain my six year old is neurodivergent but he’s OK at school and from what I can gather if I go to the GP nothing much will happen. I’m feeling a bit lost and don’t know where to start.

What makes you “ fairly certain” and is he masking at school?
The SENCO will know about the diagnostic pathway. It may be on your LA SEN Local Offer.
I’ve observed lots of children in schools where staff said absolutely no signs and I’ve seen lots of evidence ( report towards diagnosis of autism)

In order to get a referral you need to show that he is showing signs in two different settings, so usually school and home. What is making you think he is ND? Start keeping evidence, written and video, and ask other settings like Beavers or swimming or after school club.

have you spoken to the SENDCO at school? If you can't get them on board then TBH you are on a hiding to nothing.

We don’t have a SENCO; they are based at another school. I don’t know if he’s masking at school or whether I’m overreacting. I kind of hope I am overreacting. But so much behaviour is so difficult to manage and it feels he’s getting harder.

I would start by exploring neurodiversity, with specific focus on his behaviours, and look at different strategies to support him. A diagnosis by itself will not help - it is all about the individual strategies.

It’s a legal requirement to have a SENCO. Either someone in school must hold the title and responsibility or you should be able to meet with the one based in another school. Is it a multi academy trust?

Yes that’s right, they are based at another school in the trust. I don’t really know how I’d go about meeting with them.

What behaviours are you seeing that makes you think it could be ND @headingtorain?

Repeated soiling
loud (bellows randomly for no apparent reason)
doesn’t follow instructions; finds it funny to do the opposite
winds people / me up for no apparent reason

Ah ok so there might be something going on. If he’s repeatedly soiling himself, does he have any allergies? Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy is fairly common amongst ND people.

Could it be constipation too? The ERIC website has good information about this.

The first thing I’d do though is this progress checker. If it says that he needs some support then the SENCO should refer him to for a hearing test and to SaLT.

Then I’d ask for a meeting with his Teacher. Ask them if they have any concerns and ask them if the SENCO can observe your DS. His Teacher will be able to tell you who the SENCO is and how to contact them or the School office can also provide this information.

Let us know how you get on with those things and we can advise you o. What to do next