ADHD

[Winbourneflight]

My daughter is 9 years old, she has Dyslexia and so we have a private tutor who comes to the house once a week for 1 hour to help her with English and Maths.

Yesterday he asked if anyone had mentioned ADHD to us in relation to her as he thinks she shows many of the behaviours. No one has, however I have felt something is going on with her since she was very young.

I have emailed the school SENCO asking how we get an assessment and formal diagnosis however she only works part time and is very overworked. So can anyone advise where to start? We're based in England.

Hi,
my son was diagnosed by the NHS. I went to the GP, explained all the symptoms he has and they referred him to Paediatrics who collected questionnaires from home and school and then met him to do an assessment. It was very straightforward but we had to wait 18 months to see the Paediatrician.
you can do the same privately if you’re able to afford (about £2000 I was quoted) and it speeds it up. There are various private providers, perhaps if you say which region or county you’re in someone might be able to signpost?

Not sure if it's different in different areas. We were told by school that they would observe child for a term to see if a referral was needed (my dc was 16 at the time and left the school before the assessment was completed) . I'd ask school to get the ball rolling but you could go gp and ask for a paediatrician referral for assessment. Unless you can afford to go private it can be a long process, although again this is dependent on area.

What behaviours do you see? ADHD is really hard work to manage. We paid for a private assessment

Thank you all for your replies.

Since I wrote my first post I've learnt that in our area the wait list is over 2 years so we are looking at paying for a private assessment. I have a phone call later with one company that a parent from school recommended.

I've not heard anything back from the school yet, but we have had half term so if I don't get a response this week I will follow that up.

In terms of the behaviours that she displays, me and my husband sat and did a symptom check questionnaire in ADDitude magazine and the only behaviours we didn't say yes to were the ones about being disorganised. She's the opposite in that she will start packing a week before we're going somewhere and everything has to be exact otherwise she gets very anxious.

,
The more I read about ADHD in girls, the more I recognise in her. I'm reading What your ADHD child wishes you knew, in the hope that I can understand how she needs to be parented because conventional advice doesn't work for her.

Hi OP,

I am 31 and awaiting an ADHD diagnosis. I just wanted to say that I am also very organised which doesn’t necessarily fit with the stereotype but I’ve been told that it’s quite common for girls with ADHD. Without lists and planning I get very anxious and feel out of control and overwhelmed, lists are my main coping mechanism!
I hope she gets the help she needs, well done on recognising it so early

Make sure the NHS accepts your private provider, so that you can get the meds on the NHS lateron, in case she needs any.

Yes as @Yolande7 says make sure you’re lined up with your GP for any potential prescriptions. Our GP categorically refused to pick up care after a private assessment, and as we can’t afford the ongoing prescription and review costs, we ditched the private route and are now on a 64 week wait list. It took us 19 weeks just to be triaged.

Good luck!

We are very thankful that our GP took over the prescription as soon as it was steady. Otherwise it would be £50 a month

Hi OP.
I'm a parent if an ADHDer. We were diagnosed whilst living abroad and had to pay privately, but I would say go private and pay if you are able. We also had to pay for private speech therapy many years ago. However, if you can get your DC diagnosed and on meds as quickly as possible then your life, her life and her ability to access a curriculum will be much improved.

I appreciate that not everyone can go private but it's so important to get on a pathway. I'm very surprised to hear a GP won't support medication from a private diagnosis. How does this help anyone? That's very sad. we came from abroad, straight to an NHS GP and straight away meds were arranged along with a pshyc appointment.

so it can be done.
Good luck.