DS just been diagnosed with ADHD

[henryhsmum]

My DS (6) has just today been diagnosed with ADHD. He has had a diagnosis of autism for a while now and I have suspected ADHD as well.

From what I was told today, the consultant said it is very clear cut that he and ADHD and it is quite severe and he has been prescribed Ritalin.

I am relieved in a way as I have felt he has ADHD for a long time and I would say that the ADHD affects his behaviour as much if not more than the autism.

I was just wondering what support there is available for parents of ADHD children such as is there an equivalent of the National Autistic Society, good websites etc?

That he has ADHD I mean (typo)

Hello Henrysmum. Must be shock to get a second diagnosis even if you were expecting it. I think medication can only be tried now with the ADHD DX, whilst in the past an ASD DX would suffice.
My son also has a dual Dx of ASD/ADHD although he was Dxed with ADHD on his 5th birthday. Once on medication the ASD side (always obvious to those who cared for him) was more visible so that was diagnosed later.

Is it Addiss the national organisation you are looking for? There is also Adders, but I do not know of any specific to dual DX.

In my local area the ADHD support group (affiiated to addiss I think) is now a ADHD/ASD support group, and it has support meetings and organises some activities for children in the holidays.
Take care.

Thank you Mahdi, I will look into those organisations and see if there are any local support groups. I wasn't necessarily looking for an ADHD/ASD specific one more a general support ADHD group.

How long does it take for the Ritalin to work- he took his first 5mg dose this morning - no obvious difference but he was maybe a little bit more easily calmed when he was getting dressed. I think 5mg is a very low dose so I guess it may not be enough for my DS especially as doctor is saying he is severe ADHD

I meant Magso not madhi sorry. This silly phone autocorrects everything i type!

Hi henrysmum, my DS 5 was Dx with ADHD about a month ago, he's started meds (10mg medkinet) which have really helped, his does will be upped to 20mg in a week or so. His meds are long acting plus I have a short acting one to use after school if needed, ie for school clubs, getting homework done. Within Half an hour we see a difference and school have alo commented how much calmer he is and how much better his focus on his work is.
Hope the meds help you and DS, good luck!!

Yes 5 mg is a low dose, although I think ds started on this too. It varies alittle from person toperson but it starts to work quite quickly - within half an hour. Frankly I did not think it made a lot of difference at first but people who did not know of the medication trial commented that Ds seemed a little calmer. I think there is a longer term effect in that the medication gives the child slightly clearer thinking so during that window of clarity learning can start to happen and slowly life is less confusing. Ds is also very severe and has learning disability. Now years later and on a slow release formulation the difference if a tablet is forgotten is obvious! On a good day ds could almost pass for HFA on medication! We struggled with the wearing off stage but the change to slow release helped.
It is very early days for your son, and there is some trial and error in finding out which medication (if any) and method works best.
How did it go today?