Starting out with possible ADHD, autism and PDA in Year 1

[Rtidbdtrmama]

Hi everyone,

After a long time of wondering, we had the "chat" last week with the school SENDCo and teacher. They suspect my daughter (nearly 6) has ADHD and Autism with a PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) profile.

We are right at the start. I’ve booked the GP appointment and I’m currently keeping a "behavior/trigger log" at home. School are being supportive, but I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed by the road ahead.

For those further down the path:

What were your first steps that actually made a difference?

What do you wish you had done differently at the start?

Any "must-read" books or resources for the PDA side of things?

What were the school able to implement to help within the classroom?

I’m particularly struggling with the "demand" side of things at home—the morning routine is currently a battlefield. Any advice or just "I've been there" would be hugely appreciated.

Thanks in advance

In some areas, the school can refer.

The PDA society is a good starting point for PDA resources. Some people find the Declarative Language Handbook helpful.

Not specially PDA related, but you might find the Out of Sync Child and The Explosive Child books useful too. And non-violent resistance resources.

Support in school is based on needs rather than diagnosis. It will help you to read IPSEA and SOSSEN’s websites and the SENCOP to begin to understand the SEN system. To help people make suggestions on what support the school could provide, it will help if you to say what support the school is already providing? What the school has already tried that hasn’t helped? Are there any specific difficulties (e.g. is arriving in the morning particularly difficult) at school you/school need support with?

Paid for private professionals after waiting 3 years plus for cahms which went nowhere.

Applied for an EHCP for a 1 to 1.

I’d investigate strongly whether the school is ND friendly and if not / too pushy move schools before EBSA starts.

N Fisher is good.

Unless you have an understanding head and senco it’s game over as they are unlikely to flex the rules.

Maybe if you have a grumpy unkind teacher ask to move class rather than being unhappy for a year.