How do you know if ADHD or Sensory Processing Disorder

[NotDonna]

Hi, I’ve been looking online and am struggling to understand the differences other than SPD not being a diagnosis. My 11 year old DD has a number of ADHD traits. She did an online ‘Connor’ test that suggested we get her tested. I looked into doing this privately. They replied saying that before they will test we should rule out SPD. I’d never heard of it. They’ve recommended another centre with OTs to assess her for SPD. I’ve spoken with them and it does sound like she has sensory processing issues. However, that’s also a trait for adhd. They don’t test for ADHD though. Are we going to go around circles? Looking online it seems all very fuzzy. Has any one else gone through this process please who could advise? Many thanks.

Anyone at all please?

Personally I would press them on the point of assessment of spd first

Many children have both spd and adhd both of mine do, however getting the adhd sorted first will have a far better effect on their ability to access their education which quite frankly an 11 year old will need more

Are you in the UK? In the UK many won't diagnose SPD as a separate stand alone diagnosis, but only as part of other neurodiverse conditions such as ASD and ADHD. Many CCGs don't even commission sensory OT assessments. Whereas, in some other countries, such as the US, they do diagnose it as a stand alone condition.

I agree with pp, I would push the ADHD assessment first.

Many thanks for your replies @10brokengreenbottles & @Tomnooktoldmeto
Yes, we are in the U.K. and pursuing this privately as the waitlist is so long & needs input now! How will a diagnosis of ADHD as opposed to SPD help her access education please? I’ve been told that she’ll be offered meds for ADHD but have therapy for SPD. As your child has both @Tomnooktoldmeto can you explain the differences please as the info online isn’t remotely clear. Many thanks!

NotDonna. Simply put in education with a diagnosis of adhd your child will almost certainly get 25% extra time in tests and exams which levels the playing field for them

Sadly even with an extremely severe spd you are unlikely to get any help, DD is extremely sensorily defensive and has 2 extreme conditions that prevent her accessing a standard education which come on at puberty.

At the age of 12 We had to remove her from standard education to force her EHCP through because understanding of the effects of spd is so poor

DS has the same conditions but in a milder form and still attends a standard school but both DC get extra time in exams due to their adhd

Also just to reassure you, dd was an nhs diagnosis that took a year, ds we paid privately and he was done and dusted on medication and into the nhs system in 2 months

Both were diagnosed in their teens as they were not classic presentation but rather attention deficit both are still moderate to severe in diagnosis on QB score

That’s really helpful TomNook thank you so much! I’m absolutely convinced she’s adhd - she’s loads of sensory stuff too. I’m still confused as how they can tell the difference tbh.

Support in schools should be needs led not diagnosis based, but you will need to fight for it.

An ADHD diagnosis can lead to support for the ADHD and the sensory difficulties. But an SPD diagnosis won't open doors to ADHD specific support.

If DD is diagnosed with ADHD and subsequently medicated she is likely to be able to better engage with support, for both ADHD and SPD traits, than she would the other way round.

There's also the point that ADHD is more widely recognised in the UK. If DD is diagnosed with SPD alone, many in the UK will not recognise it as a standalone condition.

Totally understand that. It’s defining those needs that’s problematic and I guess a diagnosis simplifies that, IF it’s one people are familiar with. Again, thank you so much. Seems there’s nothing til May/June privately for ADHD assessment but next month for SPD. I guess I could do both simultaneously as all the docs will take ages to come back from school especially as they’re online.