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SEN

Here you'll find advice from parents and teachers on special needs education.

Is this ASD/ADHD

3 replies

PippetyPoppetyPie · 30/11/2025 17:49

I apologise in advance as I’m aware no one here can diagnose and you probably get these posts all the time.
My 7 year old son has always been ‘different’ to my other two children. Eldest is 12 and diagnosed with Tourette’s and ADHD. Different father.

School have (until last half term) said he is absolutely fine at school, no different to anyone else his age. Meeting all his school targets and making friends etc.

At home it’s a completely different story. This is going to sound very negative and I feel so guilty but it’s how it is. We walk on eggshells all the time with him around. He is extremely volatile, anything can set him off. He screams, shouts, throws things (smashed two TVs)kicks, punches and is generally horrible if things don’t go his way. It can be something as simple as asking him to eat one more carrot, someone is already watching the TV and he wants his programmes on or someone is in the wrong place at the wrong time. He hardly eats anything. Very beige diet. He sniffs everything and is constantly climbing, hanging off things, upside down.

He is particularly horrible to his 3 year old sister. We think there may be a huge amount of jealousy there but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

School have been very on board with helping at home and he goes out for relaxation, sensory circuits twice a day, Lego therapy etc. This last half term he has started to show himself in school too and has been very emotional in lessons if he ‘can’t do something’, got someone around the throat because they stood too close to him in the line etc.

The school senco has had a behaviour type lady in to observe him and she has also spent quite a bit of time with him. They both think it could be possible ADHd/Autism.

I know there is something but I don’t know what. School have put him in the SEN register and now want to apply for an EHCP. I’m unsure this is needed at this stage though but I could be wrong.

Anyone have a similar little person who you love to death but they make your life a misery 😢

OP posts:
PippetyPoppetyPie · 30/11/2025 17:53

Just thought I’d add he hyperfixates on things too. Always vehicles but different ones. We had a year long OBSESSION with the titanic. Now it’s steam trains, it’s been monster trucks before and hot wheels cars.

OP posts:
2x4greenbrick · 30/11/2025 19:24

It could be, yes. Assessments for both are a good idea, IMO.

It is brilliant the school is on the ball. If they are suggesting requesting an EHCNA, listen. They would not be suggesting it if it wasn’t necessary. Especially as the demands, academic and socially and emotionally, increase as DC move through KS2.

LimeSqueezer · 30/11/2025 22:59

ECHNA and ECHP do not require a diagnosis. They're about meeting needs, and he clearly has needs, so it's great that the school is proactive. It makes zero sense to push back. Whatever it is, he has some kind of need for support . . . but ASD/ADHD sounds plausible.

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