Year 2 / Year 3 possible ADHD / dyslexia?

[WorriedMummy2020]

My 7, nearly 8 year old son is finishing Year 2 this week.

For the second year running his end of year school report this week highlights that he struggles to deal and control his emotions and to deal with disappointment, struggles to concentrate and stay focused on work, works very slowly, is behind on reading and maths (struggles to apply maths concepts and also with mental maths) and needs to write much smaller and neater and remember the basics like capitals and punctuation.

We have had the feedback about struggling to concentrate, interrupting and 'over powering' friends since reception year.

At home he fidgets a lot, doesn't always listen unless we ask repeatedly or shout, picks the skin around his fingertips and toes has to 'fiddle' with all kinds of items and anything that is new to him. Home schooling has been a battle due to his issues concentrating and his pace of work, let alone the weaknesses with understanding od particular subjects. He almost always resists requests to read and reads without much emotion or understanding still.

It's hard to know what is 'normal' and what might be SEN. When I Google 'child struggles with emotional control and concentration' I get results suggesting ADHD. I know you shouldn't use Dr Google but just as a start.

As far as I know he is getting no additional help or support at school. As he moves to juniors in September I am worried and keen to have advice on what we should be looking to do, what help we should be asking school for and how best to broach the issues.

My partner is not convinced and though he is clearly worried, he feels I am looking to 'label' our son in an unhelpful and unnecessary way.

I feel lost and don't know if I'm worrying unnecessarily. But I can't help dwell on what his report says and the fact that these things have been highlighted, again. Thank you.

I think you should make an appointment to talk to the school SENCO before school finishes and highlight all your concerns as you have done here.

You could ask them about applying for an EHC Needs assessment. Information here:

www.ipsea.org.uk/ehc-needs-assessments

Can anyone enlighten me as to how ADHD is usually diagnosed and how long the process can take please?

Thank you for the links Ellie56.

@WorriedMummy2020

Not sure how ADHD is diagnosed, but I'd start with making an appointment with your GP.

Have you considered dyspraxia/sensory processing issues? Some of what you said reminds me of my son who has both of these

Each county works slightly differently. It’s usually though paediatrician or CAHMS and GP/ school would need to refer.
It can be a very slow process as takes along time to get appointment as waiting lists are long. Go with your gut instincts. Do you see you child behaving ‘differently’ to his peers. By your sons age I knew that there were differences. Yes he now has a list of ‘labels’ but also means we can access support that he needs. As I’m also a primary teacher I knew that ( wrongly) without an official diagnosis the children just stay under the radar. I would definitely be maki g an appointment with the senco of new school to discuss concerns and Gp to get referral to paediatrician regarding adhd assessment.
Good luck, but please just be aware that the children are often aware of their challenges and leaving without the support needed can significantly impact on their self esteem which for my son has had the greatest impact and it’s heartbreaking to see.

@WorriedMummy2020 take note of what Shellycakes says.

There are so many posters on here whose children have not been diagnosed until they are in their teens and it has had a disastrous impact not only on their mental health, but also on their ability to accept their diagnosis.

Thanks Shelleycakes for the advice and Ellie56 for flagging.

OP I could have written most of your post. DS's (yr2) report says he has emotional issues which need to be addressed. His work is generally of a high standard but "if he fails to see the point of doing something it will be a struggle for him to complete the task."
I am not happy with how the school have approached this, they have not followed their own policy. DS has struggled for the last few weeks, lots of fidgeting as always but often becoming withdrawn when he is told to stop or do something he doesn't want to do. My faith in the LA is minimal due to the experiences of people close to me. This is the time to have serious conversations with the school and if we're not content with what they're doing we will have to move the children. I'm already doing research on local schools and their approach to SEN.

How has the summer been @WorriedMummy2020? Any decisions made?

Op I'm in a sort of similar situation.
My dd struggles with her emotions.
It's very hard to know what's developmental or not.
She's been very behind at school but has flown along in lock down.
We are on list for Ed psych, whenever they return... I've got my dd two tutors lined up for next term. Falling behind was affecting her self esteem. She was noticing her low book band etc.
Good luck op.
I've found our school do anything to bat a concerned parent away and SENCO is not with the name. Or the extra money she may get.
I feel very disheartened with everything to do with the school and system.

I am formulating email to mp about it.

My son is now 18 but this sounds just like my experience over the last 10 years. I finally got him diagnosed last February, just before his birthday. I had to pay of course but it was worth every penny and I only wish I'd done it earlier. My husband was not keen on getting him labelled but more has agreed that's is been a godsend. He has medication and extra help. It's life changing.. his words.