How do we find out if 16yo DD has SEN?

[Card1gan]

DD is 16 and has always been a bit different. She has suffered from
some anxiety, found friendship groups quite difficult and struggled hugely with self study during lockdowns. Despite this she has managed reasonably well with life overall but it's all been a struggle.

However, she is now in 6th form and is finding completing independent work very difficult in terms of organising her time and being productive and efficient. She has said that she finds it hard to concentrate, and at times can waste a lot of time doing absolutely nothing. It has been suggested that DD may have ADD or some sort of slow processing problem. How would we go about getting some sort of testing, and is there a benefit of getting a diagnosis if there is something to diagnose? We have extensive private healthcare, could it be done through that? She started at a new school for 6th form so haven't done anything until now to give her a chance to settle in. Any advice gratefully recieved.

Whether an assessment for ADD can be covered by your private health insurance depends on the policy - some don’t, some will with a GP referral, some will via self referral. Speaking to your GP is a good place to start.

An EP assessment may be helpful as well or instead of an assessment for ADD.

The benefit of a diagnosis and EP assessment could be medication, a better understanding of DD and needs/what support she requires, exam access arrangements, support at university if she chooses to go, support in adult life…

Thanks for taking the time to reply @Imitatingdory. I will give the health insurance company a ring tomorrow to see if they'll cover the cost of an EP assessment. (I'm so clueless that I had to Google what EP was!) I will get in touch with the GP from there and see what they say. I'm guessing that we'll have to go private (even if we have to pay) because I'm sure the waiting lists on the NHS will be long and I want to get support in place for DD sooner rather than later due to the importance of her A-levels. Thanks again.

EPs can’t diagnose ADD, you need a psychiatrist for that. An EP assessment as well as or instead of will look at, among other things, processing speed. Private health insurance is highly unlikely to cover an EP assessment - I won’t say never, but I have never heard of it.

For ADD, NHS lists are long, but at the moment most have a waiting list privately too, albeit shorter.

For an EP assessment you can go private, again many are booking well in advance at the moment. Or if you think DD needs an EHCP you can apply for one and if the LA agree to assess an EP assessment will be part of the needs assessment.

How are you getting on OP? DD almost 17 sounds very similar to your DD she has dyslexia diagnosed aged 8. I have posted about her today. She had real difficulties with lockdown learning. She is also fiercely independent and very guarded so she doesn’t discuss her feelings with us at all but I can tell she seems very stressed at the minute and I love her and would like to help her but she is still extremely distant with us and I think she would rather poke her own eyeballs out with a stick than speak to us or speak to a professional about her thoughts, feelings or go down the diagnosis route etc etc.

Take care

Sorry @NinaProudman2022, I've only just seen your message. DD has been away at boarding school since the start of year 12 in September so we inly get snippets of information from her. It was her choice to go away to school and it appears to have been really good for her in some aspects, but it's even harder to try and parent her remotely.

Her recent parents evening was quite good, they say she appears to be getting more organised and coping better so I'm hoping that she is learning how to prioritise and get things done. Because of this I don't think that we have enough evidence to go for a diagnosis which is a shame but they don't have enough evidence/history of her struggles. DD puts a lot of pressure on herself, it comes from her and certainly not from us. She is seeing a counsellor at school but those sessions are obviously confidential, I only know about it because it slipped out. While I'm upset that she can't /won't talk to me I'm glad that she's getting help with her feelings and I'm sure I'll be told if there is anything I need to know about.

It must be hard for you to see your DD struggling but not wanting to receive professional help. Does she have close friends or anyone else that she can talk to? I hope she's OK and that she finds a way of dealing with her stress, is there anything specific that makes it worse? Please be kind to yourself, I'm sure your DD knows that you'll always be there for her.

It Nina I have name changed. I think she gets worse when stressed if a lot on at school, worried, unsure or annoyed about something (but no way will she communicate this to us or accept any help whatsoever from us). We have offered to read through her EPQ if she wants (as we did for her brother but she has refused point blank and won’t even let us see it).

She has got herself a part time job in the last couple of weeks, also just passed her driving theory and is planning an over night trip away with her best friend in summer. She only really has this one good friend that she might confide in.