Is it ADHD, autism or just 6 year old behaviour?

[ThatSpunkyLemonNewt]

My son is struggling at school. He seems to get easily dysregulated when he’s in big groups of children - making noises, calling out, touching the other children (especially squeezing ears), moving around when he’s supposed to be sitting down etc. I’ve noticed similar behaviour when he’s at Scouts (another large group of children). When in smaller groups of children who he knows very well (1-3 kids at a play date for example and with his friends from nursery), he doesn’t show this behaviour.

He doesn’t behave this way at all at home - he’s almost like a completely different child! He can be active but he also can sit quietly listening to his Yoto player, or being read to, or playing with his maths blocks / Magnatiles. The one thing he struggles with at home is the sound of his sister drawing. He is also (and has always been) quite a picky eater -
but he doesn’t have big reactions to food will just refuse to eat certain things.

I don’t know whether this is a sign of autism or ADHD / some other kind of neurodiversity, or quite common 6 year old behaviour? School haven’t suggested SEND yet but I’m not sure whether to push for an assessment.

I think speaking to the SENCO would be a good starting point.

What support is the school providing?

Lots of the things you mention can be caused by sensory issues. You might find it helpful to have a read about these. Not all ICBs commission sensory OT on the NHS, but if your area does, it is worth looking at a referral.

Thanks yes I am thinking I should talk to the SENCO at school. He’s in a morning intervention group which has some OT elements and gets regular movement breaks at school which are meant to try and help with his dysregulation. I’ve just started looking into private provision for OT / ADHD and autism assessments but it is so expensive 😓

I am more and more thinking he is uncomfortable at school or around his class, perhaps as he doesn’t know them that well yet - for context, he’s in Year 1 and started at this school at beginning of Reception, but he was one of only 6 children who were new to the school (I.e. didn’t come up from the school nursery). He was at a private nursery before school and is still good friends with these children and doesn’t display this behaviour with them.

If DS is already receiving interventions like that at school, it is disappointing that the SENCO hasn’t already met with you. DS should have a SEN Support plan. These are called different things in different areas, but it is a plan that sets out DS’s needs, provision, reviews, etc.

I think a referral for assessment would be a good idea. It is worth looking at Right to Choose. Although some areas have put caps on Right to Choose referrals.