High masking AuDHD 10yo in class....

[noideaoffuturenow]

As above, our 10yo DS-recently diagnosed, recently medicated (Medikinet XL 15mg) masks a lot in school. He is bright, articulate and sociable. V likely PDA profile-so typical of this. With ADHD meds on board, his focus appears better (early days though). However, his Autistic traits are more apparent and he's more controlling of his environment, angry about perceived injustices to friends/himself and more 'direct'. He's clashing with one of his teachers and is regularly refusing school. We're in NI. No EHCP. No Statement, school have repeatedly said he doesn't really need accommodations. He is achieving (though is clearly highly intelligent but scores are just above average).

They have suggested a few things, but these are fairly impractical IMHO. Reasons below.

1. He can have velcro under his table to touch when he needs. This might actually work well. (he has been told off for fidgeting & is now anxious about doing it consciously. Still does subconscious finger flicking/lip licking etc).
2. He can ask the teacher for a movement break (he HATES drawing attention to himself and won't -high masking. There won't necessarily be someone available to take him out-he has no CA. Also-he has alexithymia and doesn't recognise his sensory needs until he explodes).
3. Sensory Circuits may be introduced in the school for ALL kids or for certain groups (this will be seen as another 'demand' and won't necessarily be available when required).
4. He has an elastic band on his chair already & likes it. But is afraid of making a noise whilst using it.
5. Wobble cushion-tried this before and it's too 'obvious' for him-again, masking.

Do any of you have kids like DS? He's never had an OT assessment and I'm wondering if sourcing one might help? Would an Ed Psych assessment help? There is a dire lack of funding and legislation in NI for his type of need, but I want the best for my DS and want him to be a happy well adjusted adult. I feel like I need to start trying to figure this out now....he hates school, and it's so sad and so difficult for us and his siblings.

Sensory OT and EP assessments sound like good ideas. They will help understand what support DS needs.

No Statement, school have repeatedly said he doesn't really need accommodations.

Have you requested a statutory assessment yourself? Unfortunately schools often incorrectly say DC don’t need support/don’t need a statement. But it is possible to get a statement of SEN for DC who mask. Have you looked at SENAC’s website?

Rather than relying on DS asking for a movement break the school need to engineer them. They need to work on spotting the signs and prompting a movement break. Alongside this DS needs emotional literacy support, is the school providing any? If the school needs more staff and this more funding in order to meet DS’s needs that is a reason to pursue a statement. In the meantime the school could e.g. do the daily mile as a whole class when DS needs a movement break. They could use DS to do ‘jobs’ e.g. DS will you please carry X to the office - not a good as a proper movement break but may help whilst pursuing more support.

Sensory circuits not being available when DS needs them is another reason a statement is required.

Is DS receiving any support for anxiety? Is there a teacher he particularly trusts not to tell him off for fiddling/fidgeting?

My autistic son's mainstream school agreed to refer him for ADHD assessment. One year on and they still haven't got around to it.They now say they don't think he needs one yet in 3months they have given him almost 200 negative points for being disruptive, not getting his work done, getting in and out of his seat, making noises, shouting out and talking over others. loads of punishment but no support
We've now placed him in a different school where he'll hopefully get the support he needs.
Keep pushing for the help he needs to reach his full potential.
Good luck