ADHD perhaps? Not sure what to do.

[smilesandsun]

Hi,

I'm looking for some guidance with my DS1 aged 7. History in brief is that he has been tested (due to starting uk schooling late) for IQ, resulting that he is in the top 5% of children. However his schooling is not reflecting this, which I don't mind, it is the other behaviours that are concerning me. He is continually active, and disobedient, he gets in trouble at school for talking and generally being 'social' at inappropriate times. Recently he seems to get angry fairly quickly. He seems not to be able to focus on things for very long, and therefore is falling behind in reading and other school work. His teachers (and maybe even us to a degree) have thought that perhaps he was lazy, but it has gone on for too long and he can see others advancing much quicker than he is now so I don't think its just lazy.
the inability to focus was picked up in the initial IQ test 2 yrs ago but the comment of that was that he was getting bored and needed the topic changed, then he continued to excel in the review.

So a few questions:

• how do you go about getting assessments / should I get an assessment?
• how do I know who is a good paediatrician in regard to this? I don't want to waste my time and be unduly stressed with the wrong DR

thanks

My opinion is that if it's affecting your ds's schooling and it sounds as though it is, then an assessment is really the only way forward.

My dd has certain issues shall we say, but they are mainly with her social skills and so far aren't affecting her schooling. So we're at the controversial wait and see stage, but if things changed and her school work etc was affected or she was becoming disruptive, I would without a doubt get an assessment.

All you need to do is make an appointment to see your GP and I would go alone initially to discuss your concerns. I would be surprised if your GP didn't just trust your concerns and refer you quite quickly to a paediatrician.

How are you feeling about the possible diagnosis?

Oh and from what you've mentioned about your ds, it doesn't sound like your son is lazy to me. It sounds like a mixture of being very bright and therefore craving a variety of work and activities and a problem with his concentration levels.