Who can formally DX ADHD?

[Gigglebizmizz]

We had an assessment carried out by an ed pysch she partially completed a GARS form and used only the opinion of the day care staff member (not a teacher) and came to conclusion on her report that DD had ASD we were then referred for ADOS, the autism intervention service and ASD service. DD had been refered tio ed pysch for attention diffs not autism. Anyway we accepted what she had said and went to a place which offers private treatment tor autism using ABA. They said DD did not have ASD in the slightest??????!!!!!! We then had an appt at the autism intervention service they said DD did not look likely to have ASD??????!!!!!!! We then went to see a private clinical educational pysch who said no Autism/ ASD not even mildly but definitely ADHD-PI and DCD. Interestingly enough he got us and the nursery to completed the CARS questionnaire and they both came back no autism (and this was completed by the same memberof staff!!!) He carried out Connor test I think it was called and lots of other assessments etc.

SO My question is does his rather expensive opinion count as a formal diagnosis or do I have to take DD for a ADHD assessment through the education board? Don't know if we can bear more bloody tests! We are also going to get the original ed pysch report resinded not overally happy with her as it states on report "after completion of GARS DD has a very likely probability of autism"

Advice as always gratefully received xxxxx

I cant offer advice, but am very interested as to what others say. My son has been refered to the 'social and communication panel' by portage and a salt, we are currently waiting for assessment. However, our private ot and salt both say no way is it asd, more likely add/adhd and dcd. I wondered whether private reports carry the same weight?

Wow!

Have you had the ADOS test done?

An EP is not qualified to dx either ASD or ADHD.

It differs area to area, but either a child development or CAMHS make the dx.

The first thing to try with adhd-pi is omega fish oil..........

Ds is currently being Imvestigated for ADHD by the consultant pyschiatrist at camhs.

Wow Says it all Indigo. We had accepted DD had ASD and were absolutely devastated I know the ed pysch can't make a formal DX but her report was very conclusive we are now going to complain in a calm way as we don't want to piss them off too much as we have requested a SA for DD. Because we are in the SA process we were able to get legal aid for the private clinical ed pysch assessment Good job too it was £1000!!!! But he was really thorough and amazing. It annoys me so much that parents are being put through this un-necessarily DD was referred to all these various ASD services services which she does not need. Services which have lenghty waiting lists and to think there are kids out there who desperately need the help Grrrrrrrrrrr Rage!!!!!! Now to try and get some help for her ADHD-PI instead.

Fey- have made a not about that social communication panel that sounds good DD not great at social interaction with peers but this is down to her having severe glue ear and only started talking when she was 3 after vents went in not because of her fictional ASD.

INDIGO I cancelled the ADOS DD has been through enough and don't really have the confidence in our health board am going to request ADHD assessment instead. And defo will pick up some Omega how do you get a 4 year old to take that incidentally???

Finding a fish oil your child will take is .... interesting.

You can get orange or strawberry flavoured liquid (boots, eye q etc). Thing is most of these taste fishy.... But some kids will have it this way.

You can get capsules.... which are hard to take :)

You can get capsules, and cut them open and pour them on their dinner. I've found this works the best - especially if they're having tuna anyway .

The multivitamin 'sweetie' ones don't contain nearly enough fish oil to be effective.

Thanks sending DH out to get some am sure DD will love it not!!!!! Mmmm Orange flavour fishy medicine yum!!

is it possible she is co-morbid and has both to a greater or lesser degree just a thought id still have the ADOS done they will 100% no by that afterwards but as your your DDs mum im sure you probably have done loads of reaserch and have gut instinct which it is its just so many DCs have a bit of one or another a lot of the traits overlap so much i did the rounds of all these tests when DS was 4 then again reciently so i totally know what you mean about having enough of bloomin tests and picking and poking often with no definate outcome keep at it though you will get there , i tried the omega and DC is so ultra fussy about anything edible grrr so ive never managed to get him to take it wish they could get one that tastes as good with no after taste as the bassetts soft n chewy orange ones he loves those

this is the one with the least taste.

Thanks Smile she is co-morbid with ADHD-PI and DCD. Blimey thought that was enough to be going on with for the moment don't know if I could handle 3 potential DX.
Am just trying to relax a wee bit after having 2 months of worry and near nervous breakdown I really do not believe she had ASD and having 2 informed opinions to confirm this aswell as SALT and OT has reassured me.

then im sure your right so stick to what you believe and dont let them mess you around, i know im feeling like that atm ie nervous breakdown too much going on and so much stress they put you through as a family they have no idea do they
on the cod liver oil though how the heck do you stop the strong flavour comming through in whatever you mix it with and stop it repeating on you as the aftertases horrible but id love to use it on my ds his food obsessions and dislikes are so strong guess ill have to wait till hes old enough to just swallow with a glass of milk (sighs)

Giggle has your child been through your GP for any assessments. My son as dx with ADHD earlier this year and we were referred vis our GP to a development paediatrician. I was informed that they or a child physch (CAHMS) could dx ADHD etc. EPs are not able to dx disorders formally. Did yourself and his school complete a Connor's questionnaire? (used to help with assessment & dx of ADHD)

Hi Coogar DD hasn't started school yet due to start in Sept we had her in a private daycare place. I am going to phone my GP tomorrow and ask to be referred for an ADHD assessment also have a pre standing appt this week with the community paed am sure she will want to know why we have cancelled the ADOS but am hoping I can get her support. I just thought as it was a CLINICAL educational pyschologist he was able to diagnose were as a play old educational pyschologist couldn't. I think I read somewhere that all health professionals and clinical pyschologists could dx?????? And yes the clinical ed pysch did get me to complete a Connors.
Smile am going to try the cod liver this week wish me luck lol

A community paed can dx .... is it an full assessment appointment with you dd present? An EP is qualified to make recommendation for what work for your child within the leaning environment. Some regions may differ - where are you based? The only thing that makes me feel 'things' may be done differently in your area is that the EP has Connor's forms .. they aren't usually provided to anyone not qualified to dx. Have you been told he's dx is formal? Did he plot the results from the Connor's on a graph and discuss them with you? I wouldn't cancel any appointments. Many disorders overlap and can run along side each other. They won't dx your dd with something that's not there, iyswim. Meanwhile Omega 3,6 & 9 are great and taking all nasties out of diet eg: artificial colours, additives, preservatives. It sounds a nightmare, but just by reading the back of packets can make a huge difference. Also, no squashes with artificial sweeteners.