ADHD diagnosis - where to go from here

[Mrschocolate]

DS(6) has just been given an ADHD diagnosis and I am wondering if anyone has any experience of this or any tips with regards to education and what to expect in the future. How I can help him and so on.

Thanks

It will all depend upon how his ADHD impacts on his education.

Probably worth reposting on the special needs children section of mumsnet for more advice there.

Hi Mrs Chocolate - you might want to consider neurofeedback if there is a practitioner in your area.

My friends son was diagnosed last year. Academically he is well within the normal range but he struggled to focus, couldn't cope with certain noises etc. he was medicated and its made a huge difference ( though dr urging them to up dosage but they haven't)

They contacted a national charity ( ADHD NI ) and both parents do a parents group once a week ( separate nights) and their son does an after school group once a week. They seem to have found it extremely beneficial.

They also claimed for DLA and that will pay for a course they heard about through the group that includes lots of exercises etc to help him without the need for meds ( he doesn't take meds every day)

I guess my best advice is to find a charity or group nearby where you can gets info and support. MN is a fab resource of course- but I think sometimes face to face is beneficial!

The future is for you to create.

You have loads and loads and loads of options and choices.

From supplements to medicine to neurodevelopment therapies to diets.

Almost none of these things will be recommended by the NHS or by school. But you're able to research them and do them if you want to.

The choice is yours.

My DS was diagnosed at the same age. Ask the school to write an Individual Educational Plan for your DS. Some keys things I found - ensure your DS is not kept in at break times to catch up with work, breaks are very important.
Providing fiddle toys can be very helpful. You can buy them easily in lots of places.
Talk to the teachers about things you find helpful and things he's interested in. Children with ADHD find it really difficult to concentrate on things they're not interested in, it's helpful for the teachers to be in a position of knowledge.
I also negotiated with home work. He does what he can manage now, but there was an expectation that he would do the normal amount in the past. He simply can't achieve that.
Homework is best done in our house either first thing in the morning or straight after school with milk and biscuits.

My DS is nearly 10 now and while his mind is just as disorganised as before everything gets easier. We chose to medicate, the teacher said it was like meeting him for the first time the change was so great. It was a very positive step for all of us. We are tailing off his meds now to see if he can cope in school.
HTH, feel free to ask away.